I FESS UP. I'm a recovering fast driver and light road rager. I'm a skilled driver. No accident and, until a few years ago, only one speeding ticket. With COVID exacerbating my impatience and lowering my tolerance, I started realizing that I was getting more aggravated and taking more risks to pass super slow drivers occupying the fast/passing lane on the highway. Maybe I was developing adult ADHD? Anyway, I came to a realization that this wasn't the way to go. Getting there safely is much more important to me. And, frankly, focusing on 'getting there' asap meant not enjoying the scenery, or just being lost in my thoughts. Sometimes it's worthwhile breaking the rules to get better outcomes, and sometimes it isn't.

I'm telling you this story because I draw a huge parallel between the way I drove to get to destination faster and the way we too often lead and manage projects.

Most times, project managers are given tight, even impossible, deadlines and have to make their team deliver as quickly as possible. This often means ruffling feathers (especially of those who enjoy the creative process leading to the results more than the results themselves and perfectionists alike), imposing over time, and even missing the boat on an opportunity to deliver something better. Rushing means overlooking certain aspects, maybe cutting corners, and even taking unwarranted risks.