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The Fast Movers

OLAS, The Fast Movers

OLAS teams are defined by their structured communication, logical thinking, authoritative leadership, and ability to adapt plans quickly. They excel in fast-paced environments where they can quickly make sense of new information and act on it decisively. These teams are at their best in situations that require sharp, immediate responses.

However, OLAS teams can stumble when faced with projects that need a lot of new, creative thinking and detailed coordination over time. Their quick decision-making can lead to premature actions, especially in situations without strong data.

Ordered

Communicators

Information is shared through defined processes and channels.

Logical

Processors

Information is evaluated on its own merits without regard to source.

Authoritative

Deciders

Decision is driven by direction from team leadership.

Spontaneous

Executors

Lightweight plans favor agility and adaptability.

A shared language

Words that typically describe OLAS teams.

Ordereddocumentationorganizedstructuredsystematic
Logicalrationalityequitableargumentreasoning
Authoritativeconvictiondecisiveimpactexecution
Spontaneousevolvedsurprisedtestadaptation
01

Characteristics of OLAS teams:

  • Maintain a structured way of sharing information, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities clearly, streamlining decision-making.
  • Decision-making is top-down, with leaders quickly setting the direction and expectations, enabling fast responses to changing conditions.
  • Despite their structured approach, OLAS teams are known for their flexibility in execution, ready to adjust plans spontaneously as new information becomes available.
02

Where OLAS teams excel:

  • Their ordered communication style ensures that information is shared clearly and efficiently, reducing misunderstandings.
  • These teams can quickly process new information and respond immediately. Their ability to pivot without hesitation is a key advantage in high-stress or fast-changing situations.
  • OLAS teams avoid the delays that often accompany consensus-building, enabling them to implement new strategies swiftly.
03

Potential blind spots for OLAS teams:

  • The speed at which OLAS teams operate can sometimes result in insufficient analysis or consideration of long-term impacts, leading to decisions that solve immediate issues but create future problems. Their bias to action can also mean that creativity–which isn’t always efficient!–is sometimes overlooked.
  • Frequent and spontaneous adjustments of plans can undermine consistency and reliability, especially on projects that require long-term development or stability. Rapid changes in direction can also cause whiplash and burnout.
  • Because decisions are typically made in a top-down fashion, OLAS teams can alienate team members who feel their opinions are undervalued.
04

Areas of growth for OLAS teams:

  • Encourage creativity and innovation. The team is too focused on day-to-day execution to take the time for unstructured brainstorming and creative thinking, unless there is an external forcing function.
  • Before finalizing decisions, build in a checkpoint to examine what the team’s pace may have left out. Ask what has not yet been considered and whether solving the immediate problem could create a longer-term one. This is especially useful in complex or unfamiliar situations, where a quick answer may rest on an incomplete understanding.
  • Make sure there is enough investment in feedback, coaching, and career growth for team members, in addition to the focus on day-to-day execution.
OLAS quick reference

Keep this overview handy for conversations about how your team works. It describes the team type, not anyone's personal results.

OLAS

The Fast Movers

O
Ordered communicators
L
Logical processors
A
Authoritative deciders
S
Spontaneous executors

Key characteristics

  • Communication is clear, organized, and to the point
  • Rely on data and analysis when it's time to make decisions
  • Quickly pivot when needed

Working with us

  • Give us clear, actionable information
  • Encourage us to pause for a beat to consider options
  • Keep up! We're going to move quickly to action
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