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In fast moving environments, speed is worshipped and regarded as a key driver of success. If you can move fast, you will be considered successful. The reason for this is simple: “fail quickly” is the advice heeded by successful professionals. If you are starting something new and you move fast, you will gain a few benefits:

• If the idea is not feasible, cut your losses and try something else.
• If an idea is feasible, shift your investments around to high potential or high reward projects.
• You have to move faster than the competition, sometimes time to market is critical.

While speed will always be on the wish list, once a target or goal has been established, it is better to tap the brakes and move at a speed you can control. Momentum is gained via collaboration, and the weakest link in your coalition will determine your safe speed. If you go faster than the top speed of the slowest member of your coalition, you will have to pause often to wait for them to catch up. If you don’t wait, your coalition is weakened. If you achieve your target or goal, and the slowest member catches up, they are not part of the solution, hence lower commitment to sustain the momentum.

If you can afford to, you will shed and replace the slowest member, but that may not always be an option.

While the workplace does not have to be a pure democracy, you can’t afford not to help your coalition keep up with your speed.