We’re sharing 5 mindset shifts (+ a bonus shift!) you can make as a leader or manager to increase employee productivity without leading to burnout.

1. Productivity does not equate to activity

Being active is getting things done, whereas being productive is getting the right things done. Judge employees' performance based on outputs, not inputs. Outcomes, not how many hours were spent online.

2. A productive work week should balance two things – deep thinking and doing

As a business founder, I hold a lot of different responsibilities and manage many competing priorities. I find myself doing a lot of doing. But when I build in time for ample deep thinking, I unlock new ideas and creative strategies that would otherwise be inaccessible to me if I was strictly in the mode of doing. Are your employees encouraged to do deep thinking or is their capacity measured by how much they can do in a day?

3. Constraints lead to creativity 

Too much freedom without clear parameters can lead to missing the mark, overwhelm and overthinking. By putting reasonable constraints into place and encouraging creativity within these confines, innovation is made that much more possible.

4. Make it meaningful

Connecting tasks back to the bigger picture feels much more motivating and can enable employees to think more expansively about how they approach their work. Then, give them the autonomy to do it their way.

5. Individual success must also contribute to collective success

Hold all individuals accountable to the shared success of their teams and the organization. By rewarding individuals alone, you create a competitive environment that can often reward toxicity and overlook less visible contributions from team members.

BONUS SHIFT: See your employees as people first, producers second

Need help learning how to make these shifts among your leaders and people managers? Reach out today to learn how we support decision makers cultivate more connected and cohesive high performing teams.