Scale vs. Speed: Why Organizations Slow Down - The Power of Delayed Gratification

Scale vs. Speed: Why Organizations Slow Down - The Power of Delayed Gratification

In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the need for speed. We want instant results, immediate success, and rapid growth. However, when it comes to long-term success and sustainable growth, there's a delicate balance between scale and speed that organizations must navigate.

As organizations grow and expand, they often face a common challenge - the pace of innovation begins to slow down. What was once a nimble and agile company now finds itself struggling to keep up with the demands of its customers. This phenomenon is not unique and has been experienced by many famous big companies throughout history, such as Apple, Google, Slack, and Instagram, who all started with just a handful of people.

So, why does this happen? Well, as an organization scales, the expectations of its customers shift. While early adopters may have been drawn to the company's innovative ideas and disruptive solutions, the bulk of new customers are looking for something different. They want promises kept, reliability, efficiency, and reasonable prices. In short, they want trust.

To meet these changing customer expectations, organizations must focus on delivering on their promises consistently and predictably. This means shipping improvements on a regular schedule and bringing a sense of reliability to their offerings. By doing so, they can reach more people and make a bigger impact.

However, achieving this level of scale and speed requires more than just incremental improvements. It often calls for a complete overhaul of existing systems and processes. Just as one might refactor their code from scratch to improve its efficiency and functionality, organizations must be willing to spin off their cash cows and assemble a team to start something new from scratch. While the new endeavors might not work at first, the experience gained and persistence shown will eventually pay off.

In parallel to the challenges faced by organizations, there's a fascinating psychological trait that has been linked to long-term success - delayed gratification. In a study conducted by Stanford University, researchers found that children who were willing to delay gratification and wait for a second marshmallow demonstrated higher SAT scores, lower levels of substance abuse, lower obesity rates, better responses to stress, and better social skills as reported by their parents.

Delayed gratification is the ability to choose the pain of discipline over the ease of distraction. It's about recognizing that success often requires us to ignore what's easy and instead focus on doing the hard work. The Stanford study showed that waiting for gratification is not only worth it but also that we have the capability to wait.

What's interesting is that the ability to delay gratification and display self-control is not a predetermined trait. It is heavily influenced by the experiences and environment that surround us. This means that if we want to succeed at something, we need to cultivate the ability to be disciplined and take action instead of becoming easily distracted.

So, how can we apply this knowledge to our own lives and organizations? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Start incredibly small: When trying to develop new habits or make changes, make them so easy that you can't say no. By starting small, you remove the barriers and resistance that often come with big changes. This approach allows you to build momentum gradually and increases the likelihood of long-term success.

• 2. Improve one thing, by one percent: Instead of aiming for massive improvements overnight, focus on making incremental progress. By improving just one thing by one percent every day, you'll see significant results over time. This approach is less overwhelming and more sustainable, ensuring that you stay on track even when faced with challenges.

• 3. Use the "Seinfeld Strategy": Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once shared his secret to consistency - he aimed to write a joke every day. To keep himself accountable, he marked a big red "X" on the calendar every day he accomplished his goal. The key takeaway here is to find a way to maintain consistency and track your progress. Whether it's using a visual tracker or finding an accountability partner, find a strategy that works for you.

In conclusion, the balance between scale and speed is crucial for organizations looking to achieve long-term success. By prioritizing customer trust and delivering on promises consistently, organizations can reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact. Additionally, understanding the power of delayed gratification and practicing self-discipline can significantly increase the likelihood of personal and organizational success. So, start small, make incremental improvements, and find ways to maintain consistency. Remember, success often requires choosing the pain of discipline over the ease of distraction.