How Slowing Down, Paradoxically, Became the Fastest Path to Success

Silence and peace have become a luxury in today’s time. Constant connectivity has become the ‘new normal’, notifications from all possible screens keep arriving, and our brains have become accustomed to operating in fifth gear, often on the brink of complete exhaustion. But what if that very speed is our greatest saboteur, while silence, deep reflection, and rest are the solutions for long-term success?

Indeed, research published in the HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine in 2024, which specifically addresses mitigating burnout in the workplace, has shown that leaders who promote recovery, or activities that recharge the batteries necessary for focus at work, see significantly better results in productivity and engagement from their employees and teams. This is one of many analyses on the topic that confirms what seems obvious but is so often taken for granted – that rest is the first prerequisite for good cognitive functioning, and even mood, which is often underestimated, significantly affects overall performance at work.

The Reality of Digital Overload

Cal Newport, a productivity expert and author of the book ‘Digital Minimalism’, revealed a startling fact: constant connectivity reduces decision-making quality by as much as 40 percent due to cognitive overload. Simply put, directors who are constantly responding to messages, have 47 open emails, and receive notifications every six seconds make poorer decisions. Their brains are too busy to focus on problem-solving.

The situation is even more alarming when looking at focus data. Research shows that it takes an average of 23 minutes for a person to return to full concentration after being interrupted by a notification. Imagine being interrupted ten times during the day; you need 230 minutes just to regain focus on the task you were supposed to complete!

And considering that women are more prone to burnout than men, often carrying a double burden (both leading the company and taking on greater care of the household, children, and family), this makes them much more vulnerable to the fast pace of modern business culture. Therefore, the slow movement, which has developed in response to the hectic nature of today’s business, becomes essential in leading organizations, especially for women.

Foreign Examples Prove the Power of Slowing Down

Many large companies have already adopted this knowledge and operate according to the principles of the slow movement, no matter how illogical ‘slowing down’ may initially seem for the long-term growth of organizations. Patagonia, for example, is known for its sustainable fashion but also work culture. They produce hiking clothing with the intention of lasting many years and are among the few large brands that offer repair options, but on the other hand, they advocate for a flexible approach to work and encourage their employees to take physical and mental breaks from work. After all, they strive to hire people who engage in outdoor activities in their private time, as they believe that these individuals can best assist their customers.

In Europe, companies like Volkswagen and Daimler have introduced strict boundaries between work and private life, so sending emails after working hours is strictly prohibited, and even technically impossible as servers for sending them are blocked.

France is an example of a country that has taken it a step further: it was the first in the world to pass a law in 2016 that gives workers the ‘right to disconnect’ from work, and companies with 50 or more employees are not allowed to contact employees outside of working hours.

Finally, a key finding from the analysis ‘How Fast Should Your Company Really Grow?’ Harvard Business Review in 2024 showed that companies that consciously slow down growth to build capacity, i.e., train people and develop operational systems, outperform those that push for speed at all costs in the long run. This, of course, does not mean that company growth stops, but rather that it continues at a pace that allows everyone to adapt.

The Right Measure

Just as in life, it is important in business to know the measure, or to determine ‘tempo giusto’. This term from the Italian language has its roots in music and denotes ‘the right time’, or the rhythm in which a performer must play for the piece to sound good. In a business context, this analogy refers to finding the exact right tempo for completing business tasks; on one hand, agile and quality enough, and on the other, in accordance with the capacities and abilities of the individual at that moment.

And when a leader knows how to slow down, and it is often women in high positions who first understand the importance of slowing down, then teams work more efficiently. Literally, our ‘tempo giusto’ tells us that slowing down, paradoxically, is the fastest path to sustainable success.

When an employee sees that their superior is taking a break, they automatically feel safe to do the same. When they see that their superior ignores messages after 7 PM, they know that nothing is urgent. Finally, when they see their superior stepping back during key moments to return with fresh thoughts, the employee understands that self-care is not a weakness but – power.

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The tempo giusto will also be among the topics of the panel at the jubilee 15th Women in Business Conference, which will be held on December 4, 2025, at the Mozaik Event Center in Zagreb.

Experts and leaders Ivana Murati Petrović, Director of Operations at Adria Dental Group, Magdalena Stoytcheva, General Director of L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty Division and member of the management board of L’Oréal Group for Adria-Balkan, and Ana Ugarković, chef, entrepreneur, and writer, will reveal how to shift focus from rushing and multitasking to conscious management and encourage the audience to consider how slowing down can become a competitive advantage, not a weakness.

As part of the conference, the presentation of the Lider’s list of the 300 most powerful women in business and the awards for the top 10 will also take place. You can secure your place at the conference via the link.