One of the primary advantages of a young company is the ability to move fast.
Unencumbered by the governance processes of more mature firms, these companies can get a product to market in record time.
If that product is loved by customers, and makes money, the company has a shot at survival. This is generally called Product/Market Fit.
However, there is a fine line between moving fast and committing a dangerous error: falling prey to knee-jerk reactions.
Knee-jerk reactions are decisions made with little consideration and based on scant data.
These decisions are often driven by fear, rather than logic. Emotional, rather than rational.
They are changes made for changes sake; equating movement with progress.
Moving fast as a default rhythm is a good thing, but knowing when we’re at risk of making knee-jerk decisions can be the difference between the success and failure our projects and companies.