Going Slow to Go Fast: Stuck in a Data Swirl? Try a Structured Pause
- Anne Legg
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 21
In today’s always-on world, speed feels like the ultimate business advantage. The pressure to respond quickly, deploy new solutions fast, and stay ahead of the competition can be overwhelming. But here’s the truth: many credit unions are starting to recognize that going slow in the right ways can actually help you go faster, better, and farther.
This is the core principle behind a Data First Credit Union Capability that is delivered in the Data Activation Phase of THRIVE 90 and Class 6 of the Data Activation Series —it is a member-centric structured sprint that helps credit unions slow down just long enough to align their data strategy with what truly matters: improving member lives and driving organizational performance.
Why Slowing Down Matters
As highlighted in Ronald J. Tibben-Lembke’s book Going Slow to Go Fast, organizations that race ahead without a clear line of sight to their strategic goals often burn resources, create internal friction, and struggle to deliver consistent value. The same holds in credit unions.
Too often, we see data initiatives launched with enthusiasm—but without clarity.
What problem are we trying to solve?
Which members are we aiming to impact?
How will we measure success?
Are we even using the right data?
These are not slow-down questions—they are speed-up enablers. When credit unions pause to ask them with a data first mindset, they accelerate everything that follows.
Enter the Data First Mindset (Design Thinking + Sprinting)
The Data Activation Phase of THRIVE 90 blends design thinking methodology with agile sprinting—a powerful combination that helps teams shift from reactive to strategic.
Here’s how it works:
Empathize with Members
We start by understanding the friction points in the member experience. This slows the urge to jump to solutions and grounds us in real human needs. Leveraging data insights to validate or refute any assumptions we have made in our member empathy assessment.
Define the Right Problem
Using collaborative workshops, we reframe broad goals into precise, measurable problem statements—like “How might we create deeper relationships with financially vulnerable members to improve loyalty and well-being?” Again, leveraging the data to support the definition and scope of both the target and the problem.
Ideate with Purpose
Cross-functional teams brainstorm solutions within constraints—considering resources, data availability, and operational readiness. This focused creativity saves time in the long run.
Sprint into Action
Once the direction is clear, we test small. We identify a Minimum Viable Action—a data-informed improvement we can prototype quickly to generate insights and momentum.
Measure What Matters
We build metrics that align with both member impact and bottom-line performance—ensuring the initiative delivers real value, not vanity metrics.
The Capability You Build: Strategic Agility
This isn’t just about launching one successful initiative. A Data First Mindset builds a repeatable internal capability:
Teams learn how to identify the right data use cases
They understand how to align action with strategic priorities
And they build the confidence to move forward, again and again
This is strategic agility in action. It’s what allows your credit union to go fast in the long term, because you’ve taken the time to build clarity, cohesion, and purpose.
Ready to Activate?
If your credit union has ever felt stuck in the “data swirl”—too much information, not enough impact—the Data Activation Series or THRIVE 90 might be exactly the pause that propels you forward.
Looking to assess your current state of your data strategy?
We’ve made it easy to find out.
This quick, 5-question check-in will help you:
Gauge where you are on your data journey
Get a tailored recommendation for your next move
Because when you take the time to design the right solution, you can move quickly to build real member value.
Got the Data—
Now What?
The Data Activation Series gives your teams the confidence, clarity, and capability to use data every day.
No jargon. No overwhelm. Just impact.
Learn more about how your team can go from reactive to data-ready.
Create Clarity & Certainty in Uncertain Times
Discover the 3-step framework credit unions are using to reduce friction, guide members, and make confident decisions in unpredictable times.
Download “Creating Certainty in Uncertain Times” and start turning insight into impact.
Pause. Reflect. Reignite.
This mid-year check-in will help you assess how aligned your data, strategy, and teams are—and where to focus for the biggest impact in the second half of the year.
Start the Check-In
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