How do you set the pace in your organization? Are there imperatives and deadlines that you must hit? When you ask for something to be done, how do you set a deadline? Is it whatever the person you’re asking to do the work suggests? Or do you have a sense for how long it should take to get from point A to point B?
I remember my very first corporate job. The boss had a project chart that had a column for the “Deadline”. To the right was another column labeled “Revised Deadline”. Let’s just say I didn’t take the original deadline very seriously as soon as I saw that.
If I have a choice between a client that is chasing me for deliverables and another where I am chasing them, I will choose the former every time. Frankly, I find the process of constantly following up on missed deadlines exhausting. I’d much rather work with a crowd where everyone is running hard toward their goals and objectives.
As a result, I generally try to err on the side of aggressive deadlines. I’d rather shoot for end of the week and have something slide into Monday than allow a two-week timeframe to be on the safe side. But that’s just me. There’s nothing wrong with being a bit more conservative in your timeframes so long as you actually achieve the stated results.
Organizations tend to take on the style of the senior team. Show me a slow moving senior team and I’ll show you a slow moving organization. Show me a team with an emphasis on getting things done swiftly, then more than likely the organization is going to take on that same personality.
At my morning SharkFitness boot camp, the pace tends to be set by the fastest and strongest people attending that morning. While the class is structured as non-competitive, I along with others are definitely trying to keep pace with the people leading the field. Recently it’s been a young man training for entrance into West Point and today it was an Army Ranger home on leave. They are definitely the ones setting the pace and we are all pushing just a little bit harder when they’re around.
Lead by example. Set the pace in your organization. There will be people around you who take notice and step up their game because of you.
As we head into the 2nd half and the July 4th weekend, I wish all my readers a terrific holiday weekend. Happy 250th America.
I hope you had a great 1st half and set a new pace for the 2nd half.
For those wishing to read about my monthly review process, follow the link to a prior article.
If your business could benefit from fractional CFO services, I would welcome the chance to speak with you. Please give me a call at (513) 225-8657 or send an email to [email protected]
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Ken Homza
Copyright @ 2026 Kenneth M. Homza