Fast Alone, Far Together, What the Science Really Says

Jun 24
2 min read

A behavioral science take on an old proverb and what it means for leaders today.

We all know the quote:

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

It rolls off the tongue. But what if you’re a leader trying to figure out how to go fast and far? Should you sprint solo or gather a team?

Let’s take a look, through the lens of behavioral science.

🧠 The Case for Going Alone (When Speed Is Key)

If you’re solving a simple problem, working on a deadline, or iterating fast, solo effort often wins.

Cognitive Load Theory suggests that group work requires extra effort: coordinating, aligning, managing personalities.
You get instant autonomy. Fewer handovers. Quicker loops.
Flow research (Csikszentmihalyi) also suggests we enter deep focus more easily alone, so short, intense sprints can benefit from solitude.

But solo speed has a cost.

It’s less resilient. Less creative. Less likely to sustain.

🤝 The Case for Going Together (When Depth and Distance Matter)

The further you want to go, especially in complexity or uncertainty, the more science points to going together.

Social Baseline Theory tells us our brains expect support. We regulate stress better when we feel connected
Hope Theory shows that goal pursuit needs both agency (I can do this) and pathways (I see the options). Teams reinforce both
Collective Intelligence studies prove that well-structured teams outperform individuals, even very smart ones

Togetherness isn’t just warm and fuzzy. It’s energy efficient. It’s strategic. And it’s adaptive.

⚡ What About Fast and Far?

That’s the sweet spot, right?

Some leaders think the tradeoff is unavoidable. But the truth is, high-trust, high-agency teams can do both. When a team is aligned, supported, and clear on roles, they can run.

The key is psychological safety, shared purpose, and light-touch structure. Not micro-managed sameness, but embraced diversity.

🔄 Rewrite the Quote?

Maybe the old proverb isn’t wrong, but it’s incomplete.

Here’s a more science-aligned version:

Go alone for the sprint. Go together for the mission. Want both? Build a team that runs.

🟢 Try This as a Leader:

Audit your sprints: Are you doing too much alone that a team could do better together?
Build hope into your team: Clarify pathways, reinforce agency.
Model shared energy: Let others regulate with you, not around you.

Because leadership isn’t about distance or speed alone.

It’s about getting there with others, sustainably.