Optimistic Urgency Shapes Reality
In a recent write up to my team, I put forward that we define our plans too early. We don’t understand well what we set out to achieve. Therefore we are behind, while we are still in the starting blocks. I argued for a requirements phase before we make estimates and commit to a plan.
There is also a contrarian view to focusing on scope, as scope impacts what we accomplish. One way to put this is that people are good at metaphorical limbo. No matter where we set the bar, people aim for the bar. Folks are great at being just under the bar, or believe they will get under the bar. Simply introducing scope can make one move slower.
Doing things as fast as possible, without regard for the scope, is the only antidote against the Limbo Effect. Optimism is another less good antidote, and if you are deeply optimistic, you can use it to consistently limbo under your goals, and over time, warp reality.
You likely need both: a scoop of requirements exploration and a scoop of optimistic urgency. Optimism shapes reality. Steve Jobs was known for his reality distortion field.
I’ve learned over the years that when you have really good people you don’t have to baby them. By expecting them to do great things, you can get them to do great things. - SJ