by Matthew Mathison, author of “
Every decision you make, every action you take, is an opportunity to create positive momentum and shape your trajectory. So don’t wait for the perfect set of circumstances or the guaranteed outcome. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back from taking bold, purposeful action.
Instead, trust in the power of decisiveness to carry you forward. Embrace the uncertainty and the discomfort and lean into the journey ahead. And know that with each decisive step you take, you’re building the momentum and the conviction to achieve your biggest goals and make your greatest impact.
In the end, true leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being immune to failure. It’s about having the courage to take action in the face of uncertainty, to make the tough calls, navigate the challenges, course correct swiftly when wrong, and inspire others to join you on the journey.
And when you lead from that place of decisiveness and conviction, there’s no limit to the orbit you can achieve, or the impact you can create.
As I reflect on the profound impact that speed has had on my own leadership journey, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead. The ability to move swiftly and decisively, seize opportunities, and navigate challenges with agility and precision is truly a superpower in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. And it’s a superpower that each and every one of us has the potential to cultivate and harness.
But speed alone is not enough. As we’ve explored throughout this chapter, true leadership velocity is about so much more than just moving quickly. It’s about combining raw speed with laser-focused intention, strategic direction, and a relentless commitment to creating value and impact. It’s about having the courage to take bold action in the face of uncertainty and the resilience to pick yourself up and keep pushing forward when you inevitably stumble along the way.
And most importantly, it’s about recognizing that speed is not just a one-time burst of energy or a fleeting moment of brilliance. To achieve lasting success and make a meaningful difference in the world, we must learn to sustain and build upon our leadership momentum over time. We must develop the habits and practices that allow us to tap into our inner reserves of speed and power, day after day and year after year.
This is where the concept of Leadership Orbit comes in. Just as a rocket must achieve a certain velocity and trajectory to break free from the pull of gravity and enter into a stable orbit, we as leaders must generate enough momentum and direction to escape the forces that would hold us back and keep us stuck in the status quo. We must learn to chart our own course, set our own altitude, and navigate the vast expanse of possibility that lies before us.
The key to achieving this perpetual state of leadership momentum is to fuel ourselves with the right inputs and energy sources consistently. We must cultivate a builder’s mindset, always seeking out new opportunities to create value and solve problems. We must foster a culture of transparency and trust, recognizing that openness and authenticity are the foundation of true influence and impact. And we must continually sharpen and refine our skills and habits around speed, agility, and decisive action.
Of course, this is easier said than done. The path to leadership orbit is not always smooth or straightforward, and there will be times when we feel like we’re stuck in the mud or spinning our wheels. But it’s in these moments of challenge and adversity that our commitment to speed and momentum becomes even more critical.
When we encounter obstacles or setbacks, we must resist the urge to slow down or give up. Instead, we must lean into our speed superpower, using it as a lever to generate fresh energy and momentum. We must look for creative ways to reframe problems as opportunities, pivot and adjust our approach in real time, and keep pushing forward with grit and determination.
Crucially, this forward momentum often requires stepping into the unknown. Many times, we don’t know what lies ahead or how things will unfold. We can’t always predict outcomes or make sense of the path before us. It’s in these moments of uncertainty that moving ahead becomes most powerful and important. By continuing to progress, even when we can’t see the full picture, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and discoveries.
This willingness to advance into uncharted territory, to keep going when the destination isn’t clear, is what separates true leaders from the rest. It’s about having the courage to take that next step, to maintain velocity even when the road ahead is shrouded in fog, trusting that movement will eventually bring clarity and reveal new opportunities.
As we do this, something incredible starts to happen. We begin to develop a flywheel effect, where each small win or achievement builds upon the last, generating even more speed and momentum over time. Progress compounds. Confidence grows. Direction sharpens.
This is the essence of what it means to achieve leadership orbit, to reach a state of perpetual momentum and impact that allows us to make a lasting difference in the world. And it all starts with harnessing the incredible power of speed in service of our deepest values and most audacious goals.
As we close out this chapter and prepare to embark on the next stage of our leadership journey, I want to leave you with a challenge and an invitation. I want to challenge you to take a hard look at your own relationship with speed and identify the areas where you can start to cultivate more velocity and momentum in your life and work. I want to invite you to join me in the pursuit of leadership orbit and commit to the ongoing work of fueling your own perpetual growth and impact.
There will undoubtedly be times when we feel like we’re moving at a snail’s pace rather than a lightning bolt. But if we can stay focused on our ultimate destination, keep our eyes fixed on the stars, and our hearts full of determination, I have no doubt that we will achieve heights and velocities that we never dreamed possible.
*excerpted from “
Matthew Mathison is an entrepreneur, investor, and author of “. With over 25 years of experience guiding companies through economic turbulence, he specializes in helping leaders navigate uncertainty with grounded optimism and strategic clarity.
