The Speed of Presence: Break Free from Speed Traps (Part 4 of 5)

5 minute read

Continuing our Systemic Distress Series. Last week we explored how Self-Regulation transforms leadership. This week, we're diving into the hidden cost of relentless efficiency - and why slowing down might be your fastest path forward.

Ever catch yourself thinking "If we just moved faster, we'd solve all our problems"?

I did. Just this week. And it backfired spectacularly.

Here's what healthcare leaders get wrong about speed - and what recent neuroscience tells us about why slowing down actually accelerates results.

The Leadership Speed Trap

Most healthcare leaders are taught that efficiency equals effectiveness. We're drowning in:

• Time management techniques
• Productivity frameworks
• Optimization strategies
• "Faster, better, more" mandates

But here's what I learned the hard way: When we're operating from a place of constant pressure and speed, no technique will work because we're not actually present enough to feel safe or use it effectively.

This isn't just theory. Neuroscience shows that without psychological and neurobiological safety, our brains literally can't access the parts needed for collaboration, creative problem-solving, and authentic connection.

What Speed Really Costs Us

When we prioritize pace over presence:

• Leaders make reactive decisions that require costly rework
• Simple mistakes multiply, requiring more fixes
• Trust erodes through drive-by conversations
• Teams miss crucial patient care signals
• Stress becomes the operating system

A Personal Perspective

Let me tell you what happened to me this week.

I'm juggling U.S. political changes, massive operational shifts at work, a graduate research project, and home renovations. Sounds like a recipe for presence and careful listening, right? Not exactly.

Here's what went sideways.

We need to install a fence and gate for our dogs - Kenya (11) and Lulu (10 months), our Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Fun fact: Lulu is Kenya's granddaughter. Not so fun fact: I completely botched the planning process.

In my mind, my wife Amanda and I had talked about the gate. We'd made decisions together (or so I thought). Then Monday hit.

As I'm finalizing details with Amanda, it becomes crystal clear: I hadn't actually listened to her needs, wants, or desires for the fence, the gate, our dogs, or our ongoing renovation of this "needs some love" house we bought.

Here's the truth bomb: My anxiety and obsession with "efficiency" had me moving too fast to actually hear what mattered.

It took several heated conversations and another walk on our driveway to finally land on our next steps together. The irony? Had I slowed down initially, we would have moved faster overall - and strengthened our relationship in the process.

As I discussed with Caroline in this week's podcast, I keep learning (often the hard way) that slowing down isn't optional - it's the neurobiological foundation for everything that matters. Whether you're leading teams or renovating homes, presence is the game-changer.

Turns out, you can't efficiency your way into better relationships - at work or at home.

Breaking Free from the Speed Trap

The solution isn't another time management technique. It's about fundamentally shifting how we move through our day. Here's how:

1. Catch Yourself in the Act
   • Feel the tension in your body when you're moving too fast
   • Notice when you're rushing important conversations
   • Spot your "efficiency at all costs" triggers
   • Create Presence Anchors
   • Take three breaths before entering conversations
   • Build in regular team check-ins with no agenda
   • Schedule 5-minute buffers between meetings
2. Make it Systemic
   • Start meetings with a minute of settling
   • Normalize "slowing down to speed up"
   • Celebrate moments of true presence

What? So What? Now What?

What You're Learning: Speed without presence creates more problems than it solves.

Why It's Important: When healthcare leaders move at the speed of presence:

• Team communication deepens
• Patient care improves
• Innovation flourishes
• Errors decrease
• People stay longer

What to Do Now:

1. Identify your top three "rush triggers"
2. Build in one "presence pause" tomorrow
3. Ask your team where they need more space
4. Notice the quality of decisions when you slow down

Next week in our final part of the Systemic Distress Series: How to transform energy drain into collaborative support - without burning out in the process.

Believe it or not, this is fun work. I hope that you'll give this a try. And if you do, please tell me how it goes. I love hearing about your results.

That's it for this week. See you next week.

P.S.

Is one difficult team member draining everyone's energy and undermining your department's impact? I help healthcare directors transform their most challenging relationships into their strongest alliances - before they lose their best people or their team completely loses hope. Click reply for a confidential conversation about this.

Here are 3 ways I can help when you're ready:

1. Listen to the Podcast: Join our weekly conversations [podcast link]
2. Subscribe to This Newsletter: Get weekly insights [newsletter link]
3. The 30-Minute System Reset Session: 

   5 minute read

   Continuing our Systemic Distress Series. Last week we explored how Self-Regulation transforms leadership. This week, we're diving into the hidden cost of relentless efficiency - and why slowing down might be your fastest path forward.

   Ever catch yourself thinking "If we just moved faster, we'd solve all our problems"?

   I did. Just this week. And it backfired spectacularly.

   Here's what healthcare leaders get wrong about speed - and what recent neuroscience tells us about why slowing down actually accelerates results.

   The Leadership Speed Trap

   Most healthcare leaders are taught that efficiency equals effectiveness. We're drowning in:

   • Time management techniques
   • Productivity frameworks
   • Optimization strategies
   • "Faster, better, more" mandates

   But here's what I learned the hard way: When we're operating from a place of constant pressure and speed, no technique will work because we're not actually present enough to feel safe or use it effectively.

   This isn't just theory. Neuroscience shows that without psychological and neurobiological safety, our brains literally can't access the parts needed for collaboration, creative problem-solving, and authentic connection.

   What Speed Really Costs Us

   When we prioritize pace over presence:

   • Leaders make reactive decisions that require costly rework
   • Simple mistakes multiply, requiring more fixes
   • Trust erodes through drive-by conversations
   • Teams miss crucial patient care signals
   • Stress becomes the operating system

   A Personal Perspective

   Let me tell you what happened to me this week.

   I'm juggling U.S. political changes, massive operational shifts at work, a graduate research project, and home renovations. Sounds like a recipe for presence and careful listening, right? Not exactly.

   Here's what went sideways.

   We need to install a fence and gate for our dogs - Kenya (11) and Lulu (10 months), our Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Fun fact: Lulu is Kenya's granddaughter. Not so fun fact: I completely botched the planning process.

   In my mind, my wife Amanda and I had talked about the gate. We'd made decisions together (or so I thought). Then Monday hit.

   As I'm finalizing details with Amanda, it becomes crystal clear: I hadn't actually listened to her needs, wants, or desires for the fence, the gate, our dogs, or our ongoing renovation of this "needs some love" house we bought.

   Here's the truth bomb: My anxiety and obsession with "efficiency" had me moving too fast to actually hear what mattered.

   It took several heated conversations and another walk on our driveway to finally land on our next steps together. The irony? Had I slowed down initially, we would have moved faster overall - and strengthened our relationship in the process.

   As I discussed with Caroline in this week's podcast, I keep learning (often the hard way) that slowing down isn't optional - it's the neurobiological foundation for everything that matters. Whether you're leading teams or renovating homes, presence is the game-changer.

   Turns out, you can't efficiency your way into better relationships - at work or at home.

   Breaking Free from the Speed Trap

   The solution isn't another time management technique. It's about fundamentally shifting how we move through our day. Here's how:

   1. Catch Yourself in the Act
      • Feel the tension in your body when you're moving too fast
      • Notice when you're rushing important conversations
      • Spot your "efficiency at all costs" triggers
      • Create Presence Anchors
      • Take three breaths before entering conversations
      • Build in regular team check-ins with no agenda
      • Schedule 5-minute buffers between meetings
   2. Make it Systemic
      • Start meetings with a minute of settling
      • Normalize "slowing down to speed up"
      • Celebrate moments of true presence

   What? So What? Now What?

   What You're Learning: Speed without presence creates more problems than it solves.

   Why It's Important: When healthcare leaders move at the speed of presence:

   • Team communication deepens
   • Patient care improves
   • Innovation flourishes
   • Errors decrease
   • People stay longer

   What to Do Now:

   1. Identify your top three "rush triggers"
   2. Build in one "presence pause" tomorrow
   3. Ask your team where they need more space
   4. Notice the quality of decisions when you slow down

   Next week in our final part of the Systemic Distress Series: How to transform energy drain into collaborative support - without burning out in the process.

   Believe it or not, this is fun work. I hope that you'll give this a try. And if you do, please tell me how it goes. I love hearing about your results.

   That's it for this week. See you next week.

   P.S.

   Is one difficult team member draining everyone's energy and undermining your department's impact? I help healthcare directors transform their most challenging relationships into their strongest alliances - before they lose their best people or their team completely loses hope. Click reply for a confidential conversation about this.

    

Here are 3 ways I can help when you're ready:

1. Listen to the Podcast: Join our weekly conversations [podcast link]
2. Subscribe to This Newsletter: Get weekly insights [newsletter link]
3. The 30-Minute System Reset Session: Get Consultation [System Reset Session]  

   In just one focused session, discover how to:

   ✓ Build teams that deliver the excellence you envisioned
   ✓ Transform toxic departments into retention magnets
   ✓ Become the leader you always knew you could be
   ✓ Create environments where staff choose to stay