Tackling the Productivity Challenge – A Modern Paradigm for 2023
The Productivity Challenge
One of the biggest challenges for managers in 2023 is managing increased workload. Recent findings from the 2023 Global Culture Report (by cloud software company O.C. Tanner) show that UK manager’s workload has increased on average by 46%, and almost half reported that their workload has increased since Covid, with 23% finding it much harder to stay positive at work.
The report, which analysed the perspectives of over 36,000 employees, leaders, HR practitioners, and business executives from 20 countries around the world, including 4,653 from the U.K, found that 39% of UK employers report that their direct managers seem stressed.
This increase in workload is not good news as it has knock-on effects to their wellbeing and engagement. European managing director of O.C. Tanner observed, “These managers are expected to do far more but with the same if not fewer resources, and eventually something has to give and it’s all too often their mental health.”
As the demands of the workplace keep rising, many people respond by putting in ever longer hours, which inevitably leads to burnout that costs both the organisation and the employee. Meanwhile, people take for granted what fuels their capacity to work—their energy.
Managing your energy – not your time – is the best way to get more done faster and better.
Time is a finite resource, but energy is different. It has four wellsprings—the body, emotions, mind, and spirit—and in each, it can be systematically expanded and renewed.
Recognising when we are at our most productive helps us to get more stuff done in less time. It is about harnessing our energy and channeling this to ensure that what matters most gets done, and gets done well.
Flexible working time vs. 9-5
Everyone is born with an internal biological clock, according to The Centre for Applied Chronobiology (CAC), who research our patterns of sleep-awake rhythms. Our own gene variations cause a natural inclination to sleep or be awake at a certain time of day, so in reality the 9-5 working pattern is really not conducive to organisation’s getting the most out of their employees. So, when someone says, ‘I’m a morning person’, or ‘I’m a night owl’, it’s worth noting this as a manager – they are offering insights into their own DNA hardwiring. Having more energy leads to increased productivity, and expecting someone to work to set schedules without flexibility not only affects their energy and productivity, it could well negatively impact on their wellbeing and engagement.
So, in conclusion, getting peak productivity means offering flexibility where we can to maximise on the energy peaks that people experience. It might even mean working less hours. ‘What?!’ I hear you cry… hear me out. There’s plenty of evidence that putting in more hours each week doesn’t necessarily equate to higher productivity. Research consistently tells us that productivity falls sharply after 50 hours per week, and pretty much drops off a cliff after 55 hours. Additionally, not taking at least one full day off per week leads to lower hourly output overall.
In terms of health, a study from the World Health Organization (WHO) found that working an average of 55 hours or more each week increases your risk of stroke by 35 percent and your risk of dying from heart disease by 17 percent, compared to averaging a 35-40 hour workweek.
A new productivity paradigm
Managing your energy – not your time – is the best way to get more done faster and better. Time is a finite resource, but energy is different.
Peak productivity is when energy levels peak; the body and brain work best together and people are motivated, focused and productive . For most people, that’s in the morning (between 8:00 am-12:00 pm), so schedule your priorities around those peak productivity times .
The CAC says that a person who goes to bed early and gets up early is typically called an “A-person”, and one who goes to bed late and gets up late is a “B-person”. However, there are variations.
According to the Sleep Foundation, people are largely split into four different types (known as ‘chronotypes’).
- The “wolves” (also known as night owls) make up about 15% of the population and, with their late sleep-wake schedule, are most productive in the evenings/at night.
- ‘Lions’, also known as “larks” or “early birds”, are morning people with an early sleep-wake schedule who focus best before lunchtime. They make up around 15% of the population.
- Over half the population are “bears” – following the solar cycle and not experiencing many problems with the traditional 9–5 schedule. Their ideal focus time is before 2pm, losing steam post-lunch.
- Approximately 10% of us are “dolphins”, those who have problems sleeping. Peak productivity for this group is reportedly late morning.
Which type are you? Have you ever thought about this before? As a manager, recognising your own energy levels – and that of your staff – is the key to making those key decisions that can unlock peak productivity, reduce stress and increase engagement.
We invite you to embrace the productivity challenge by reframing the way you look at productivity. Less can be more, in every way, if you challenge the norms in relation to how you [and/or your teams] work on a day-to-day basis – personally, not just professionally. What are the operational and cultural ‘norms’ in your organisation? Do you assume that people are more productive because they work longer hours? Consider work patterns as well as hours (e.g. shifts), level of flexibility and other embedded routines. Ask yourself if these could be done differently to adopt a more person-centred approach that offers more flexibility. The payoff is reduced stress, increased engagement and higher productivity.
The new workday rituals succeed only if leaders support their adoption, but when that happens, the results can be powerful.
Adalta have years of experience working with employers, managers and staff to help improve productivity, resilience and wellbeing. Our approach is to help people think and act differently, using current and proven strategies tools and techniques that work in the real world. If you’d like to explore this further, why not get in touch to discuss your specific requirements, or take a look at some of our courses in this area:
Developing personal resilience course
Practical stress management course
Productivity / Time management course
Goal setting (achieving what matters most)