Especially in an era where Speed and Agility define both Performance and survival, it’s interesting to reflect on the medium for our messages as we execute actions.

Look at the Urgency/ Complexity matrix below clarifying which channel for communication to use-
-Text / Whatsapp message if the matter is High on Urgency but low on Complexity
– Email if low on both Urgency and Complexity
– Desk phone or better In-person if the matter is high on Complexity even if low on Urgency
– Cell phone or Face-to -face if the matter is both Urgent and Complex

And yet it is not uncommon for teams using mails when the matter is urgent, waiting patiently for days sometimes for a response or waiting for a response to a Whatsapp message when the matter is both complex and urgent.

In any case there can be several mismatches to the Medium for the Message- further slowing down Execution…

In our High Performance Culture and Speed for Performance work at Capstone, we often find inability to prioritise actions, combined with mixing up the right vehicle of communication, can easily be at the centre of slowing down Action for Performance

What can you do?
-Popularize the chart below as part of ground rules for working together

– Often new employees take a while to understand the value of speed and rhythm of execution within a business

– Following through for Execution without becoming a micromanager is key to bring help for people to understand what is Urgent or Complex

– watch out for inability to navigate interdependencies of actions and communicating speedily with other teams, which can slow down Performance..

During my time with the iconic Lowe Lintas and Partners, one of the famed maxim with humour popularised by the legendary Alyque Padamsee was that everyone was employed by two industries – the industry they worked for, and the Follow-up industry!!

Alluding to the need for the Leader to be constantly aware of the bottle necks to execution- including ability to understand urgency, complexity and make choices that are biased for Action- increasing Speed of communication influencing Speed of Execution and Performance.