What to do when you’re told you work too slow

Every manager who utters the phrase “working too slow” has a different opinion of what slow means. Well-meaning managers across many industries use this phrase because they can’t put their finger on what exactly “slow” means.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN TOO SLOW?!” a common and fair reaction with no evidence given.

All they know is something is off, and they haven’t found the words, evidence, or explanation as to what is wrong. This post is as much for managers as it is for direct reports so we can hold each other accountable as we move forward.

Direct reports, I’m going to ask you to take a breath and let me say this. Your manager means well when they tell you that you are working too slowly, but they may be struggling to find a solution to what they feel is a problem.

Clarify what is meant by “slow”

It is extremely possible that your manager has never even thought about what “slow” means, they just have a gut feeling that you’re working too slowly. Too slow could mean:

• the work is getting done, but you’re not very public about it
• you are taking longer than you specified you would take
• you are also taking longer than the team has agreed that you would take

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