Friday, October 6, 2023

I’m going to geek out on you this morning so if you’re still not fully caffeinated you may want to return to this note a bit later in your day. I do, however, promise to keep this as succinct as possible. Buckle up.

Trying to wrap your mind around what the accelerating pace of change means for you and your organization – let alone the why of it all – is a daunting task. Yet the “why” does matter as does the language we use to frame these conversations. Enter the concept of time-space compression.

Time-space compression isn’t ripped from a sci-fi novel nor has it historically been a term that gets wide play outside of academic circles. Yet, like many big ideas, it’s been waiting patiently for the world to reach a place where the idea makes sense. I believe that we’ve reached the point where the concept is not only relevant but inherently relatable.

Time-space compression refers to the perceived shortening of distances and time intervals due to technological advances in transportation and communication. It’s a byproduct of life during The Exponential Age and the key to understanding the concept is that it’s a perception which hinges upon rapid technological advances.

In practical terms, what this means is that your perception of the increasing speed with which life (and change) is occurring is quite real. Furthermore, its impact upon every human within your organization is also quite real.

I’ll dive deeper into the impact of time-space compression in a future article. For now, though, know that: A) You’re not imagining things – the struggle is real; B) The pace of change and the perceived speed with which the world moves will continue to increase; and C) Effective leaders must take the time to understand this phenomenon and be able to both speak to it and acknowledge the impact it has upon all of us.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Be strong. Lead well.

Chad