A “bias for action” was a powerful concept in the 1980s, when Tom Peters’ wrote about it in his famous book, In Search of Excellence. The business landscape, however, has changed drastically since then. Instant communication, cloud computing, and now, the accelerating power of AI, have created a paradox: the faster we can move, the more crucial it becomes to slow down strategically.

The constant influx of information and AI’s ability to rapidly execute can create decision fatigue. Keeping up with this pace becomes unsustainable, and can lead to hasty choices and costly mistakes. It seems, we are entering an era where a “bias for reflection” is becoming as important as a “bias for action”.

Strategic and deliberate slowing down allows us to reflect, and reflection allows us to:

• Process Information Effectively: Distil the noise of constant data flow into actionable insights.
• Connect the Dots: Recognize patterns and anticipate consequences, which lead to more informed decisions.
• Optimize Workflows: Identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks, maximise the benefits of AI’s speed.
• Reduce Errors: Be mindful and carefully consider our design and execution decisions to prevent costly mistakes.
• Maximize AI’s Potential: Leverage the time saved by AI for strategic thinking and better choices, rather than reactive responses.

All this isn’t to say that a bias for action isn’t important. We cannot abandon action altogether. It’s about finding the balance. We need to integrate deliberate pauses for observation, interpretation, and informed decision-making. It’s about slowing down to speed up.

At Work From Art, our FOCUS method provides a structured approach to cultivating this bias for reflection. Through facilitated museum visits, we create an environment for teams to:

• Sharpen Observational Skills: Learning to see details and nuances often overlooked in the daily rush.
• Enhance Interpretation: Developing critical thinking skills to analyse information and derive meaningful insights.
• Improve Decision-Making: Practicing informed decision-making in a low-stakes, engaging environment.