In a fast-moving organization like ours, speed is often a strength—until it isn’t. We push hard for clients, for each other, and for the work. But when messages move too fast, the meaning can get lost. A quick email written under pressure can turn a simple fix into a problem. Tone, punctuation, even one aggressive sentence can unintentionally escalate a situation.
I remind myself often: keep messages short, clear, steady, and without emotion. Some days I hit the mark; other days I miss. But the discipline matters. If we’re trying to solve a problem, tearing someone down—intentionally or not—never gets us there faster. Communication should build, not bruise.
Messaging matters every day. In tone. In timing. In delivery. Last week I talked about the power of something as small as a smile—how it creates warmth and connection. In the past few days, I’ve seen how stress and frustration can flip that same dynamic the other way, especially over email. It’s a reminder that every message carries weight. Every message influences success, trust, and progress.
The simple rhythm still holds true: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slower to anger. Biblical, yes—but also practical. Emotional control is a strategic advantage. Slow the message down just enough to get it right. That’s how we move fast in the ways that actually matter.