Control the Rhythm

Control the rhythm is taking back pace before urgency, conflict, or someone else sets it.

Key Concept

• Control the rhythm means taking back pace before urgency, conflict, or someone else sets it.
• Level 1: Like when you walk slower so the group follows your pace - you pick the speed before panic sets it.
• Level 2: A counselor lets silence sit before answering - taking back pace before urgency or conflict sets the tempo for everyone.
• Level 3: Whoever sets the pace often steers the room - slow down and people usually cannot tell whether you slowed or lost control.
• Level 4: Send numbers after lunch when the client wanted a complex quote in ten minutes - keep the room from rushing a bad decision.
• Level 5: Pairs with Composure and Situational Control - urgency is real, but you still choose the pace; do not let Plain Commitments at Work break when slowing the room violates a response time you already promised.
• Whoever sets the pace often steers the room.
• Do not let urgency, conflict, emotion, or someone else's deadline dictate how fast you think and act - take the tempo back when you can.
• The room usually cannot tell the difference between you slowing down and you being in control - so slow down.
• Urgency is real - you still choose the pace you work at.

Examples

• A dad texted for more reps before I had watched his kid play - control the rhythm was seeing Thursday's scrimmage first instead of doubling reps that bred a limp.
• A client wanted a complex quote answer in ten minutes - I sent numbers after lunch and kept the room from rushing a bad decision.

Note Relationships