Have you noticed how easy it is to go too fast?

You’re with a client, and after just a couple of probing questions, you jump straight into your product pitch or start negotiating. You react the moment you hear a counteroffer, or you rush to defend an objection without taking the time to understand it.

Or maybe you’re a sales manager—you ask a few coaching questions and then immediately move into giving advice.

Sound familiar? It should. We’ve all been there. Congratulations—you’re normal.

The truth is, all of these moments come down to one simple rule: slow down.

Slow down to understand.
Slow down to listen.
Slow down to connect before you try to convince.

Our minds are racing at 100 miles an hour. We’re eager to help, to stay in control, to prove we’re smart and capable. But when we move too quickly, we miss what really matters—the why behind the words, the emotion behind the reaction, and the opportunity to genuinely connect with another person.

Why slowing down matters

When you slow down, you create space.

Space to be curious.
Space to truly understand someone else’s point of view.
And, most importantly, space to listen—and to show that you’re listening.

And here’s the beautiful part: when people feel heard, they will listen to you in return.

How to slow down

Start by catching your cues.

• Is your heart rate rising?
• Are you already thinking of your response while the other person is still talking?
• Do you feel that familiar nervous energy building?

Those are signs you’re going too fast.

Now, use your emotional intelligence. Pause. Breathe. Literally, slow down.

Ask yourself one simple question:

“What’s my intention right now?”

Am I trying to understand, or am I just trying to respond?

Just asking that question helps reset your pace.

Clarity wins the conversation

Slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum—it means gaining clarity. And clarity always wins the conversation.

So next time you find yourself eager to pitch, getting defensive over an objection, or jumping in too quickly with advice, remember this:

Slow down. Keep listening. Because the reward for patience is always progress.