This Is Why The Flywheel Effect Is So Great

I came across the idea of the Flywheel Effect in the fantastic book, Good to Great, by Jim Collins. It’s a concept introduced to describe getting small wins accumulating over time, that eventually turn into overall big wins. This was one of the methods that were used in the successful companies that were profiled in that classic business book.

It speaks to working exceptionally hard to get an enterprise, project, or any endeavor, up and running at the beginning stages and then letting momentum do most of the work for the long term. Obviously, it is way more nuanced than this, but the concept itself is straightforward.

Think of the way a vehicle is pushed or pulled when in neutral. You have a team of people, pushing hard against a large object with wheels. At first pushing the vehicle is very difficult, but as the vehicle moves and the wheels start turning, it gets easier and easier, until eventually the vehicle just kind of goes along with very little help.

This is about getting those little wins over time that add up to the overall long-term success of big projects and enterprises. You need to push the wheel harder in the beginning, but then as the wheel gets moving it gets easier and easier to keep it going.

Knowing this concept is one thing, putting it into practice is something else altogether. The problem with putting this concept into practice is being able to keep the wheel going and not succumb to forces that will try to put a halt to the growing momentum.

If you have ever been a part of a large project or enterprise, then you have probably seen this concept in action without even knowing it. When you first get a group together to begin work on something, doesn’t it always feel just a little bit harder getting things going in the beginning, than it does towards the end, when people are most likely working together more synergistically? That’s the Flywheel Effect.

The other key principle to express with moving the flywheel is consistency, reliability and regularity. There is not one single breakthrough moment that will show the big wins and overall victories over time. This is another hard thing that challenges those that are in the midst of doing the hard thing, like pushing the flywheel. You don’t see the flywheel moving while you are pushing it day after day, week after week. You are just there, working on your job, your business, or your life. Grinding away, performing with excellence, occasionally getting that constructive feedback.

To get this flywheel effect rolling, you really need to understand what it is you are trying to achieve. As a business you need to define exactly what it is that makes you the best at what you do. What is that thing that makes you great. That should be the focus to get the flywheel moving. And once you understand what your big overarching purpose is, in your business or your life, then what you need to get done to get there will make itself known. One thing will lead to another, the next step will present itself naturally, and you will keep the flywheel moving.

What is so great about the Flywheel Effect? It will set you apart from the competition and anyone else. It is different and hard and challenging and works in the background for your success. The flywheel effect concept has been used to much success by companies such as Amazon and Uber to fuel the accomplishments that they have seen. And I know for a fact that when you start with this idea to get your project, business or enterprise off the ground and running, you will see the same or similar successes that these other great companies have achieved. Do not let the passing fads of the moment detract you from your ultimate purpose that you know to be true. Use that to fuel the growth and development that is in your future and yours for the taking, if you will just work hard enough for it.