Running Red Lights
I’ve run a red light or two in my day. Maybe not always behind the wheel, but certainly in the recruiting bullpen, in relationships, and even with my health. I’m not talking about literal traffic violations (though I’m not immune to a late-night roll through a deserted intersection). I’m talking about decisions made in haste, corners cut, or risks taken without fully weighing the consequences. The cost of running red lights in life isn’t always immediate, but trust me — there’s always a price. And sometimes, it’s steep.
Let’s be honest: our culture glorifies speed. Move fast and break things. Be decisive. Fail fast, fail often. But let me ask you — have you ever seen a Tesla slam into a concrete wall at full speed? The result isn’t innovation; it’s destruction. Yet, we celebrate risk-takers as if caution is synonymous with cowardice. Spoiler alert: it’s not. There’s immense value in pausing at the intersection of decision and consequence, even if the light is green.
The High Cost of Impatience
Running red lights — metaphorically or otherwise — might get you where you want to go faster, but it often leaves a wake of destruction behind you. Ask any investor who’s plowed ahead on a deal without due diligence, any founder who launched before their product was ready, or anyone who’s jumped into a relationship while ignoring glaring warning signs. The common thread? A failure to acknowledge risk.
Take business. We lionize leaders who “go for it,” often overlooking the quiet prudence that fuels sustained success. For every Silicon Valley unicorn, there’s a graveyard of startups that failed because someone ignored the red flags. Theranos, FTX, WeWork — these were not accidents; they were the result of calculated decisions to blow through caution. And the fallout? Billions of dollars in losses, reputations destroyed, and lives upended.
The same holds true on a personal level. The impulsive decision to skip that annual physical, ignore the nagging knee pain, or burn the candle at both ends has a cost. I can tell you, as someone who’s ignored my fair share of health red lights, that the crash comes eventually. And when it does, you’re stuck in the metaphorical (or literal) ER wondering why you didn’t just stop and take care of yourself.
The Misconception About Caution
Caution gets a bad rap. People conflate it with fear, hesitation, or even weakness. But being cautious doesn’t mean being timid; it means being deliberate. It’s not about avoiding risks but about understanding them. It’s the difference between recklessness and bravery.
Consider the airline industry, one of the safest forms of travel. Why? Because it’s built on caution. Pre-flight checks, redundant systems, rigorous training — they’re not flashy, but they save lives. The industry’s obsession with caution is the reason you’re statistically safer at 35,000 feet than crossing the street.
In investing, Warren Buffett is the poster child for caution. He’s not flashy; he doesn’t chase fads. But his patient, disciplined approach has built one of the greatest fortunes in history. He doesn’t run red lights — he waits for the right pitch, and then he swings. It’s not sexy, but it works.
The Value of Pause
Here’s the thing: life, like traffic, isn’t a straight shot. It’s a series of intersections, and at each one, you’re faced with choices. Some lights are green, some are red, and some are yellow. And while green lights are go-signals and red lights are stop-signs, yellow is where the magic happens. Yellow is where you decide whether to floor it or tap the brakes.
Pausing at yellow — or even stopping at red — isn’t about hesitation; it’s about calculation. It’s about asking yourself the hard questions: Is this the right move? Am I ready for what’s on the other side? What’s the worst that could happen if I wait? The answers aren’t always obvious, but the act of asking shifts your mindset from reactive to proactive.
Caution creates value in ways speed never can. It fosters resilience, builds trust, and ensures sustainability. Companies that prioritize long-term strategies over short-term wins may not make headlines every day, but they’re the ones that last. People who pause to prioritize their health, relationships, or personal growth aren’t weaker; they’re smarter.
My Red Lights
I’ve ignored a lot of red lights in my life. Some led to crashes; others, miraculously, didn’t. But every time I’ve rushed ahead without pause, I’ve learned the same lesson: speed kills — relationships, businesses, opportunities. The times I’ve slowed down, thought things through, and exercised caution? Those are the moments I’ve built something lasting.
I’m not saying don’t take risks. Risk is essential — it’s the currency of growth. But running red lights isn’t risk; it’s recklessness. There’s a difference between betting on yourself and betting the farm. One requires confidence; the other, desperation.
The Red Light Challenge
So here’s my challenge to you: the next time you’re faced with a metaphorical red light, stop. Sit with the discomfort of waiting. Take stock of the risks, the rewards, and the potential fallout. Ask yourself not just if you can, but if you should.
Caution doesn’t mean inaction — it means intentionality. And in a world that rewards those who move fast, the ability to pause, reflect, and proceed with care might just be your biggest advantage.
Because at the end of the day, the cost of running red lights isn’t just the crash — it’s the missed opportunity to choose a better path. And that’s a price none of us can afford to pay.
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