I was recently scrolling through my Twitter feed (I know, I know it is now supposedly called ‘X' but please….) and happened to stumble upon this in a tweet from writer and podcaster David Perell that I found interesting:
I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment.
From my own experience and observation, the best organizations, teams, relationships, partnerships or marriages I know all have BOTH a fast-twitch and slow-twitch component.
One is not more valuable or important than the other — even though quietly each one might believe that they are the ‘secret sauce’ behind the success….
Too much fast-twitch = everyone running around, bumping into walls, hair on🔥 and no strategic direction whatsoever.
Too much slow-twitch = paralysis by analysis, slow to no progress, 💩 not getting done, and lots and lots of debate.
But when you can successfully pair these two types of people together on a team, great things do happen.
I’ve seen it: I worked for a company right out of college where one founder was brash and over the top and the other was cerebral and a detailed thinker. They each influenced the hiring of a team that, whether they knew it or not, was filled with fast-twitch and slow-twitch people — scattered throughout the organization in various roles.
Whether they were in sales, product development or engineering, the fast-twitchers were fearless and hopeful and got the ball rolling — sometimes too fast or out of control.
That is where the slow-twitchers came in — they acted as the governors. They made sure that details were figured out, a variety of factors were considered when making decisions, and processes were put in place.
The fast-twitchers would push. The slow-twitchers would contemplate. There could be a lot of frustration at times, but it never devolved into complete dysfunction. The company was (and continues to be) wildly successful because of it.
Think about it for a second…
Maybe you have seen this dynamic before yourself. Look at some of the more successful partnerships and organizations you know — I’ll bet you likely can find a fast-twitch and slow-twitch dynamic there.
I believe the key ingredients you need when you get these two types of people together are:
Alignment
Trust
Respect
A ton of patience
Let’s face it: fast-twitch and slow-twitch types can easily annoy and frustrate each other. But there is a reason why the old saying (and Paula Abdul song) goes “opposites attract.”
Because we inherently like and admire what the other type does for us. Deep down in places they don’t like to talk about at parties, successful fast-twitch people want guidance and to be managed. In a world that is moving at warp speed, it’s comforting.
The successful slow-twitch people appreciate (and are sometimes amused by) the fast processing speed of their counterparts and the enthusiasm that can be created by their pace. In a world that demands order, fast-twitch people can still be exciting.
As long as these two types communicate, maintain trust and respect for their respective abilities, and exercise patience with one another — the formula can lead to a sustainable, harmonious, successful outcome.
Which one are you?
Are you working with or paired with someone who is the opposite?
Just remember: no matter how much they may annoy or frustrate you, you’ll get a LOT further if you find a way to grit your teeth and embrace them for their fast-twitch/slow twitch-ness.
No one will blame you if every now and then you quietly tell yourself that you are the “secret sauce” behind the success….
XOXO
Dave
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