How have the definition and significance of “speed” changed at IBM in the past year?
Five years ago, we thought speed was important. One year ago, we knew speed was important. Now speed is survival — especially in the war for talent. The new economy is powered by an Internet generation — a generation that moves at breakneck speed and plays by a different set of rules. IBM doesn’t make the rules anymore; the people make the rules. To compete in the talent war, IBM must create a work environment that is completely different than what we had six months ago. People want flexibility, a free flow of information, continuous learning opportunities, and the best projects in the world. And they have no tolerance for bad management. The great leadership challenge moving forward will be creating an environment based on empowerment rather than fear. On the Speed Team, we found that people were failing to live up to their potential because they were afraid of making a mistake, of looking foolish, of taking an idea all the way. As leaders, we must blow up those speed bumps and igni
