Most leaders would say they want their people to work efficiently. We invest in technology, improve processes, eliminate unnecessary steps, and hold meetings about increasing productivity. We encourage people to find better ways to get things done. Then an employee figures out how to accomplish in four hours what used to take eight. What do we do? We give them four more hours of work. Think about the message that sends. The employee who becomes more efficient isn't necessarily … [Read more...]
Are We Measuring Presence or Performance?
For years, the workplace offered leaders a reassuring picture. Employees arrived in the morning, sat at their desks, attended meetings, and remained there until the workday ended. Everyone could see that work was taking place. Or could they? If an employee is sitting at a desk for eight hours, what exactly has been proven? Being present has never guaranteed that someone is productive. A person can spend an entire day moving between meetings, responding to emails, and appearing extremely … [Read more...]