Page 4 - 04_May-2025

Sponsored Feature
Slow Down
to Speed Up
A message from Doug Griffiths, President &
CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
I say this to my team often: “slow down to
speed up.” It might sound counterintuitive in
a world obsessed with hustle, deadlines, and
acceleration — but I believe it’s one of the
most powerful lessons in leadership.
Especially now, as May marks Mental Health
Month, it’s worth reflecting on the pace
we set for ourselves, our teams, and our
organizations. I’ve come to realize that real
momentum doesn’t come from moving
faster. It comes from moving smarter. And
sometimes, that means pausing.
When you’re a leader — especially of people,
not just projects — your job isn’t to keep
everyone sprinting. It’s to help them focus.
It’s to clear the path so they can move with
purpose, not panic. Slowing down means
checking in with your team. Understanding
what they need to succeed. Asking what’s
working — and what isn’t. It means creating
the kind of culture where people feel seen
and supported, not just efficient.
This doesn’t mean we’re not ambitious.
If anything, slowing down lets us go further.
At the Chamber, we’ve rebuilt a team that’s
more aligned than ever. We’re clearer on our
purpose. We’ve taken time to reflect, reset,
and restructure — and because of that, we’re
delivering more value, stronger advocacy,
and better outcomes for Edmonton’s
business community.
Leadership is people work. And people need
space to think, breathe, and belong. So if
you’re leading a business, a project, or a
team — consider this your permission slip:
slow down. Ask questions. Listen closely.
Rest when needed. Then, when you’re ready
— you’ll move forward faster, stronger, and
with far greater impact.
Because the best leaders don’t just move
fast. They move wisely. Let’s slow down, to
speed up.
edmontonchamber.com
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