Is Being Busy the Same as being Productive

There is a myth in many organizations that being busy is the same as being productive. Yet activity can actually be covering up the lack of strategic direction.

When I work with teams I am often struck by the levels of activity which have little to do with the core purpose of the team. People are attending endless meetings which have little or no relevance to their targets, lack of coherent communication means that work is duplicated by many, the absence of a centralized information on something as simple as contacts and up to date phone numbers wastes time and causes high levels of frustration as people try to find out who the relevant person might be.

The solution is so simple. Successful teams, departments or organizations all have the same things in common.

-There is a clear, shared vision which underpins all activity.
-People have a clear understanding of what is expected of them and of the others within the team.
-There are high expectations of all and by all
-People are given the training, resources and levels of delegated authority to do the job effectively
-People feel they have a valid contribution to make and enjoy a level of challenge
-All are held to account for their contribution
-Contributions are acknowledged and celebrated
-There is an underlying structure which underpins the activity – communication, process, policy etc
-There is an ongoing culture of development where everyone strives to improve
-People learn to anticipate – better to prevent than to solve

Those organizations who sustain organizational and personal wellbeing and success also:

-Value their people and realize that a well rounded person recharges their energy with a personal life
-Understands that "good will" is a precious commodity and doesn’t take it for granted
-Employs creative, thinking people and gives them space to develop those skills
-Celebrates success and each person’s contribution

Many organizations need to wake up to the financial, emotional and health cost of ignoring these aspects. In the UK alone last year there were over 500,000 days reported to be lost to industry because of stress. It is thought that the real figure is actually far higher. Until there is a change of culture there will continue to be a high level of absenteeism because of stress and burn out and much potential leadership will be wasted.

Think about your own organization – Are you and your team busy being busy? How much time, energy and money is being wasted? Do you value and support personal and organizational wellbeing and do your words and actions support it?