Trust the Process

In 2013, the Philadelphia 76ers were stuck in a rut. They were a below-average team embroiled in a culture of mediocrity, so they began a massive overhaul that started with the hiring of a new general manager, Sam Hinkie.

Hinkie’s method was … different. He immediately began to emphasize his belief in process:

A focus on long-term success over short-term wins.

While that sounds good in theory, in sports, short-term losses feel like long-term losses, and after the first two seasons led by Hinkie, the team had reached an all-time low. So why did Philadelphia stand behind the new method?

They had trust in the process.

Despite the 76ers having the worst record in the NBA. Despite Hinkie being eventually fired (technically he resigned). Philly stuck it out. They understood that time would bring long-term success (the 76ers are now considered a top-three team in the Eastern Conference), and it is time that we are here to talk about.

Our culture is obsessed with the idea of moving quickly, and the speed we try to bring to most endeavors appears to be the new normal. We’re all just in one, massive hurry. But should we be? Specifically, in the practice of design, can quality creative work be achieved when the primary motivator is “Let’s get it done ASAP” rather…