Three reasons why ‘Sense of Urgency’ is the wrong solution.

I’m not a big believer in a sense of urgency as a driver of culture.

Every time I hear that sentence, the hairs on my neck raise, and a shiver runs through my spine.

Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in speed. Just not in urgency.

Almost always, when managers (not leaders) utter these words, there’s more to it than just urgency.

The need for urgency is a cover-up (or symptom) for other deeper-rooted issues.

The need for urgency emerges when managers feel things go too slowly.

Duh. Obviously, that’s the case.

But why are things going too slowly?

Here are three reasons:

1. Lack of purpose

2. Lack of alignment

3. Lack of trust

Almost always, when we hear the cry for a sense of urgency, one or more of the three above is lacking.

So start there.

Don’t micromanage your team to urgency.

It’s short-term, creates more problems than solutions, and rarely creates the results you’re looking for.