The Two Speeds of Progress
15 September 2025
The problem we all recognise
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” , Bill Gates
Something very appropriate for you today team. You see, I have a lot on in my “day job” right now that requires my full focus and I’ve used up my “buffer” of articles. It’s currently late Sunday night and this article is due tomorrow at 8am … It got me thinking …
We live in a world obsessed with speed.
Deadlines, instant replies, real-time everything.
Yet some of the most important progress we make happens at a slower, almost invisible pace.
The problem? We confuse motion with momentum. We push for fast results and get frustrated when real change takes its time.
Fast versus slow
There are two kinds of progress:
Fast progress is the quick win, the visible milestone, the “we shipped it!” moment. It’s energising, it signals movement, and it keeps motivation alive.
Slow progress is the deeper work: building trust, mastering a craft, shifting culture. It’s hard to measure in the moment, but it compounds over time into something solid and unshakable.
Both matter.
If you only chase fast progress, you risk burning out or skating over the surface.
If you only wait for slow progress, you risk losing people’s energy and belief along the way.
How to work with both
Name/Label the quick wins so people see motion. Small victories signal that the journey is worth continuing.
Protect the slow work that doesn’t show immediate payoff,deep learning, relationship building, foundational systems.
Balance your calendar: each week should have a visible outcome (fast) and an invisible investment (slow).
Reflection prompts
Where in your work are you pushing too hard for fast results?
Where have you neglected the slow work that compounds over months and years?
How could you rebalance your week to include one of each; fast progress you can see and slow progress you can trust?
Final thought
Progress has two speeds. One excites, the other sustains.
Today’s article was one of those fast ones - and you will note, I labelled it right off the bat. I know it’s not to my usual standard - it’s a quick win - but rather than succumb to the temptation to skip a post, I thought it better to call it out for what it is.
A quick win that keeps the streak going!
I’ve found over the years that the leaders who thrive are those who can hold both at once … celebrating the fast without sacrificing the slow.
Remember, the path to extraordinary is walked with a thousand small steps, your’e doing great!
Barry Marshall-Graham
Executive coach and leadership advisor
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