This week it was reported that in the UK productivity is currently at the same level as prior to the 2008 crash, and has seen no significant improvement in the last 9 years. The FT suggested four possible reasons for this including a lack of investment in technologies, that productivity is measured in the wrong way, that the low interest rates are sustaining ‘zombie companies’ and finally that organisations have held on to unproductive workers. As a development specialist it is interesting to me that poor leadership or a lack of investment in the people and their skills does not seem to feature!
Productivity is ultimately a reflection of the output of workers that relies heavily on a leader’s ability to manage performance, to motivate and to help others achieve. All too many managers think that simply more hours of work will solve the productivity issue, yet we know that this is counter-productive. Those who work excessive hours without adequate breaks suffer fatigue and burn out, that will undoubtedly reduce productivity on the way. I personally think it is no accident that in the same week it was reported that 1 in 6 workers now experience mental health issues, with over 300,000 a year leaving jobs due to a lack of support. Any wonder that productivity is suffering!
I recently heard Jayne-Anne Gadhia, the Chief Executive of Virgin Money, explain how after becoming a mother she decided to limit her work to 5 days a week and leave at 6pm each day, the incredible result was her manager telling her she had had her ‘best ever’ year. Beware the long hours equals productivity assumption. There will always be the odd crisis and rushed job, but productivity is about having skilled people in the right jobs with leaders who can recognize issues and support them to deliver their best, simply more hours on task will not enhance the productivity of you or your team.
When are you or your team at your most productive?
Where are the risks to productivity?
What can you do to promote mental health for you and your team?
Productivity is ultimately a reflection of the output of workers that relies heavily on a leader’s ability to manage performance, to motivate and to help others achieve. All too many managers think that simply more hours of work will solve the productivity issue, yet we know that this is counter-productive. Those who work excessive hours without adequate breaks suffer fatigue and burn out, that will undoubtedly reduce productivity on the way. I personally think it is no accident that in the same week it was reported that 1 in 6 workers now experience mental health issues, with over 300,000 a year leaving jobs due to a lack of support. Any wonder that productivity is suffering!
I recently heard Jayne-Anne Gadhia, the Chief Executive of Virgin Money, explain how after becoming a mother she decided to limit her work to 5 days a week and leave at 6pm each day, the incredible result was her manager telling her she had had her ‘best ever’ year. Beware the long hours equals productivity assumption. There will always be the odd crisis and rushed job, but productivity is about having skilled people in the right jobs with leaders who can recognize issues and support them to deliver their best, simply more hours on task will not enhance the productivity of you or your team.
When are you or your team at your most productive?
Where are the risks to productivity?
What can you do to promote mental health for you and your team?
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