The Need for Speed: It Starts with Interaction

In 2010, Fred and Judith published an article, The Need for Speed: It Starts with Interaction, about the critical need for speed in organizations. The need for that speed remains in today’s fast-paced environment, organizations must make decisions quickly. Yet speed alone doesn’t guarantee results. Too often, teams rush to decisions only to see execution falter. The missing ingredients? Trust and interaction. 

Building Real Speed 

• Trust is Essential – Teams that trust one another can act decisively. Trust grows through consistent follow-through, transparency, and understanding each other’s motivations. 

• Interaction Builds Trust – Before speed comes connection. Take the time to know your teammates: what drives them, what challenges they face, and how they work best. Interaction creates a sense of inclusion and safety, enabling honest dialogue and informed decisions. 

• Skipping Steps Costs Time – Organizations often try to jump straight to results. Without trust and interaction, mistakes multiply, work is repeated, and true speed slows. 

Key Takeaway: Investing time in interaction and trust accelerates results. Slowing down to build relationships isn’t a delay—it’s how organizations achieve fast, effective, and sustainable action. 

To read a copy of the article, click here.