Mario Hernandez on Business Speed: Adapting Faster Than the Competition

In a recent LinkedIn post, Mario Hernandez discusses a crucial distinction in building successful companies: the true meaning of speed. Far from simply working more hours or launching more initiatives, Hernandez argues that genuine speed lies in the ability to rapidly learn and adapt.

Hernandez, drawing on 15 years of experience building businesses, challenges the common misconception that speed equates to constant activity. He notes that many founders believe speed means:

“working more hours / taking more meetings / launching more things / constantly being busy”

While effort is undeniably important, Hernandez points out that sheer busyness does not guarantee progress. He observes that founders can spend excessive time and energy on initiatives that are no longer aligned with market realities.

The Cost of Sticking to Outdated Assumptions

A core theme in Hernandez’s post is the danger of holding onto assumptions that have been disproven by market feedback. He highlights that the market often provides clear answers, but founders may resist acknowledging them. This resistance can manifest in various forms:

• A customer segment that is no longer viable.
• A pricing model that is not resonating.
• A key hire who is not the right fit.
• A go-to-market channel that is underperforming.

Instead of pivoting based on this feedback, Hernandez observes that some founders continue to invest more effort into failing strategies. This, he explains, is a critical error.

When ‘Try Harder’ Isn’t the Answer

Mario Hernandez makes a compelling case that the optimal response is not always to increase effort, but to increase the pace of adaptation. He states directly:

“Sometimes the answer isn’t: ‘Try harder.’ Sometimes it’s: ‘Update faster.'”

This reframing of speed is central to his argument. It suggests that agility and responsiveness are more significant drivers of success than sheer output.

The Power of Separating Ego from Data

Hernandez identifies a key differentiator among highly successful founders: their ability to detach their ego from the data. This allows them to objectively evaluate evidence, even when it contradicts their initial vision or efforts.

According to Hernandez, the best founders possess an unusual capacity:

“They can spend months building something… see evidence that something needs to change… and adjust without making it personal.”

This emotional detachment is crucial. It enables founders to make necessary changes without the process becoming a personal affront, thereby fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Hernandez emphasizes that this speed of learning has a compounding effect. Over time, a founder who adapts even 20% faster than their peers doesn’t just gain a slight edge; they begin to operate in an entirely different competitive landscape.

In essence, Mario Hernandez’s insights on LinkedIn underscore that true business velocity is achieved not through relentless activity, but through a swift and objective response to learning, ultimately allowing businesses to evolve and thrive in dynamic markets.