Make Haste Slowly: Slowing Down To Move Faster

The other day while preparing my morning espresso, I noticed a phrase on the bag that made me pause: “Make haste slowly.’”

It sounded wise, but I wasn’t exactly sure what it meant. How can you move quickly and slowly at the same time? And why would you want to?

So, I did a little digging.

“Make haste slowly” is the English translation of the Latin phrase festina lente, which was adapted from the earlier Greek phrase speûde bradéōs. The idea dates back to ancient Rome and was famously used by Augustus when training his military commanders. It was his way of reminding them that swift action should be guided by careful deliberation.

Augustus was so fond of the concept that he had it represented symbolically on coins. Various images were used including a crab with a butterfly, a hare inside a snail shell, and a turtle on a sail. The most famous symbol was a dolphin wrapped around an anchor.

Dolphins, known for their speed, agility and intelligence, represent purposeful forward movement toward a destination or goal.

Anchors, in contrast, provide stability and keep ships from being carried off course by the open sea. This is especially important during storms and uncertain conditions. Symbolically, this image promotes reflection, grounding, and thoughtful judgment. It reminds us to pause, assess the situation, and act with intention.

Together, these two symbols express a powerful idea: move forward with energy, but act with care. Progress requires both momentum and restraint. Without the dolphin, we drift. Without the anchor, we rush headlong into trouble.

Modern research echoes this ancient wisdom.

In his bestselling book Thinking, Fast and Slow, Nobel Prize winning economist Daniel Kahneman explains that humans use two different systems of thinking.

System 1 is fast, automatic, and effortless. It relies on intuition, habits, and emotional reactions. It helps us make quick judgments like recognizing a face, reacting to danger, or completing familiar patterns.

System 2 is slower and more deliberate. It engages when we analyze evidence, solve complex problems, or question our first impressions.

Both systems are needed to move forward successfully: 

System 1 allows us to move efficiently through daily life. 

System 2 helps us slow down, think carefully, and avoid costly mistakes.

But Kahneman also notes that when we feel rushed or pressed for time, we are more likely to rely on System 1. When that happens, our thinking becomes quicker, but also more prone to errors and impulsive decisions.

Which brings us back to festina lente.

The phrase invites us to slow down, especially when we feel the urge to hurry. By taking a moment to think clearly before acting, we often end up moving faster in the long run because we avoid the detours, mistakes, and rework that come from rushing.

From the halls of ancient Rome to the insights of modern psychology, and even the side of an espresso bag, the message is clear: the fastest way forward is to make haste slowly. 

Next week, we’ll talk about what festina lente means for organizational leaders.

In the meantime, reflect on the following:

         When do you tend to move too quickly and what are the consequences?

         When do you tend to delay or overanalyze and why?

         What signals (internal and external) indicate that you should slow down before acting?