Three Reasons Your Team Isn’t Moving Faster

July 08, 2025

When a team moves slowly, most leaders assume it’s a motivation issue. But more often, it’s an operating issue.

The people are capable. The intent is there. What’s missing is clarity, trust, or focus.

Here are three common slow-downs — and simple ways to fix them:

1. Decisions Are Bottlenecked at the Top

  • Every “quick check-in” turns into a delay

  • Your team doesn’t feel trusted to act

  • They wait because they’re afraid to be wrong

Quick fix: Define “decision rights.” Make it clear who owns what. Default to trust. Escalate only exceptions.

2. Priorities Keep Changing

  • Projects stall because the focus shifts every two weeks

  • No one’s sure what matters most, so nothing gets finished

  • Urgent always beats important

Quick fix: Lock in 6-week priorities. Review weekly. Don’t change mid-cycle unless something breaks.

3. Incentives Aren’t Aligned With Outcomes

  • People optimize for looking busy, not finishing

  • Some roles win by dragging it out

  • Collaboration dies when self-protection kicks in

Quick fix: Align incentives with outcomes, not activity. Make progress visible. Reward momentum.

Speed doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from clarity.

Reduce friction — and you’ll move faster without burning anyone out.

—Peter