Speed to Action: How to Develop and Harness This Crucial Skill

It’s 10:52 on a chilly Saturday morning. I’m sitting at my usual spot downtown in my favorite coffee shop. It’s my spot to work on my current projects. I love it here. 

My phone gets a notification. It’s from dad. It wasn’t a particularly long message, but it was an important one.

I picked up the phone and called my dad. I wanted to listen to him talk and see what I could learn from the conversation. I’m going to share some of that with you now. 

When it comes to leadership and success, one concept often overlooked is speed to action. This doesn’t mean acting recklessly or bypassing planning altogether—far from it.

Planning has its place, but execution is where we learn, grow, and move forward. It’s through action that plans are refined, obstacles are overcome, and progress is made.

That word "learn" is important here. We learn by doing.

What Does Speed to Action Mean?

Speed to action is the ability to move quickly and decisively toward the next step, even in the face of uncertainty. It doesn’t mean you need to have the entire plan figured out or be confident about the end result. Instead, it’s about having clarity on the next step and taking it without delay.

Imagine walking through a dense fog. You can’t see the entire path ahead, but as you take a few steps, the next part of the path becomes visible. Each step forward reveals more of the map. This is the essence of speed to action—acting now to gain clarity and momentum.

Why Is Speed to Action Important?

1. Overcoming Analysis Paralysis Overthinking can lead to inaction. Spending too much time analyzing every possible scenario often results in missed opportunities. The world is constantly changing—markets shift, competitors evolve, and new challenges arise. Waiting too long to act can be more dangerous than moving forward imperfectly.

   
   

2. Gaining Clarity Through Doing Action brings clarity. You can’t always predict how things will unfold, but by taking the first step, you start to gather information and feedback that you couldn’t have anticipated during planning. Each step forward allows you to refine your approach and adapt as needed.
   

3. Building Momentum Movement creates energy. When you take action, even small steps, it generates momentum and encourages others on your team to do the same. Leaders who demonstrate a bias for action inspire confidence and drive progress.
   

How to Develop Speed to Action

1. Focus on the Next Step

If you’re feeling stuck, don’t try to solve the entire problem at once. Instead, ask yourself: What’s the next actionable step I can take right now?  For example:

• Need to solve a staffing issue? Call someone or gather a list of potential contacts.

• Unsure how to tackle a big project? Break it down into smaller tasks and start with the first one.

  
  

2. Combat the Lack of Clarity

Delays often stem from uncertainty. If you’re unsure about what to do, spend a brief moment studying the problem and identifying one clear step forward. Remember, clarity comes from action, not the other way around.

3. Move Quickly, Adjust as Needed

Think of progress as a series of small course corrections. You don’t need to commit to a perfect plan upfront. Start moving and be ready to adjust by a few degrees as new information comes to light.

4. Evaluate the Risk of Inaction

Ask yourself: What’s more dangerous—taking imperfect action or doing nothing? More often than not, the greater risk lies in failing to act at all. Doing nothing means stagnation, missed opportunities, and falling behind in a rapidly changing environment.

As a leader, your team looks to you for guidance.

Help them embrace speed to action by:

• Encouraging them to identify and share their next steps.

• Creating an environment where it’s safe to make small mistakes and learn from them.

• Balancing planning with execution to avoid getting stuck in endless discussions.

  
  

Key Mindsets for Speed to Action

1. Learning Happens Through Doing The goal isn’t comfort or perfection—it’s growth. Mistakes and missteps are inevitable, but they’re also the best teachers.
   

2. Don’t Let Uncertainty Stop You You may not know how everything will unfold, but you can always take one small step forward. Action is the antidote to uncertainty.
   

3. Embrace the Fog Just like walking through fog, you don’t need to see the entire path to move forward. Take one step at a time, and the way will become clearer.
   

Conclusion: Act Now, Learn Along the Way

Speed to action isn’t about disregarding the need for planning; it’s about balancing thought with action. Start by asking yourself: What can I act on now?  Whether it’s making a phone call, sending an email, or drafting a simple plan, every action moves you closer to clarity and results.

The world moves quickly, and leaders who hesitate risk being left behind.

By embracing speed to action, you’ll not only overcome obstacles faster but also inspire those around you to do the same.

We learn by doing! Remember, the goal isn’t to get everything perfect—it’s to keep moving forward. As Jordan Peterson would say, "aim up."