Fast. Cheap. Good. Pick Two.

There’s a simple framework used in many industries:Fast. Cheap. Good. Pick two.But what Sharon McClafferty is increasingly seeing is something far worse: people entering situations that deliver none of the three.No clear result.No defined timeline.No real understanding of cost.In this episode of High Agency, Sharon explores why this happens and how high-agency thinkers approach decisions differently.After more than two decades working with accounting and financial planning firms, Sharon has developed strong pattern recognition for situations where effort will be high and outcomes disappointing, not because people lack capability, but because no one paused to decide what actually mattered most. Through a series of stories, including a family law consultation, a clever real estate negotiation, and a Brisbane architect who forces clients to prioritise trade-offs,  Sharon illustrates how clarity around time, cost and result can transform the decisions we make.Because every important decision sits somewhere inside that triangle.The problem isn’t that trade-offs exist.The problem is when no one names them.In this episode:The Fast / Cheap / Good framework and why it shows up everywhereWhy people accidentally enter “zero-for-three” agreementsA real example of how family law can become an undefined cost + time trapA brilliant negotiation strategy from entrepreneur Guy MankeyHow architects use structured trade-offs to avoid project conflictWhy clarity around priorities removes most decision frictionThe real definition of high agencyKey InsightEvery meaningful decision involves three variables:Time Cost ResultOne will always matter most — whether you acknowledge it or not.High agency simply means pausing to decide which one it is, and behaving accordingly.A Question to Reflect OnWhere in your life are you moving forward without clarity?Where are you entering agreements where no one has named the priority?Coming NextIn the next episode, Sharon flips the triangle around and explores how sellers make the exact same mistake — by assuming what matters most to buyers instead of asking.About High AgencyHigh Agency is a show for owners of accounting and financial planning businesses who want more clarity, more courage, and a better life.Hosted by Sharon McClafferty, the podcast explores the decisions, behaviours and patterns that separate reactive business owners from those who actively design better businesses and lives. If you'd like to know more about Sharon's company Slipstream Group and the results their clients achieve, visit https://slipstreamgroup.com.au