Move Fast and Break Things... Or Sit Still and Win

We grew up on the gospel of "move fast and break things."

Speed over precision. Action over stillness. Momentum over patience.

And if you’re moving, you must be winning… Right?

Wrong — there’s a reason most CEOs make their worst decisions when things get noisy.

It’s not because they’re stupid.

It’s not because they don't care.

It’s because they can't sit still.

Panic Loves Action (But Action Isn’t Always the Answer)

Most CEOs panic because they think panic requires a reaction.

They start thrashing — new plans, new hires, new pivots, new messaging.

Not because it’s smart. Because it’s something.

They confuse relieving anxiety with making a good decision. Those aren't the same thing.

Most people never wait long enough.

So they solve the wrong problems.

They win small battles — and lose the entire war.

But you? You have the power to opt out.

To sit in the tension and wait for the noise to clear so the real problem unmasks itself.

Stillness Is a Skill (And Almost Nobody Has It)

Stillness isn’t weakness. It’s discipline.

It’s knowing that silence doesn’t mean failure. It’s trusting that clarity takes longer than you want — but it’s worth it.

When the pressure’s on, anyone can move fast. But almost nobody can stay still.

And in a world that’s desperate for speed, stillness isn’t passive.

It’s a weapon.

Best,
Peter Delle

P.S. 👉 Before you sprint into another 80-hour week of action, you should know what it’s really doing to you.