This week, I want to highlight a longer post I wrote considering different types of productivity and contribution to an organization. The article is titled A New Look at Productivity and explores the 4-box below (I love a 4-box!). Most companies reward Efficient Achievers. However, it is good to understand and appreciate what all types bring to a well rounded team.
Concepts I’m Exploring – Shared Improvement
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be part of an author talk with Dan Coyle, author of the newly published book Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning and Fulfillment. I reviewed the book a couple weeks ago and found the questions and conversations yesterday to be equally thought provoking.
There was one insight that I couldn’t stop thinking about. The book dives deep into how flourishing happens in community. Dan was talking about that and made this comment:
“Maybe instead of self-improvement and self-help they should be shared improvement and shared help.”
As a coach, this really resonated. I just finished leading a year-end program with a group.
While the process was very self-reflective and personal, I saw a new dynamic going through the personal process as a group. People showed up, did the work, and then discussed what they were thinking and feeling. We had conversations about similarities and differences. Struggles and what was going smoothly.
Looking back, I think this was a program of shared improvement. Everyone with the same intention and supporting one another on the journey.
My Other Blog Posts This Week
How Many “Clients”? We all have many clients – both at work and outside of work. Considering who those clients are and what they need can put a fresh lens on your “to do” list.
What Do You Want to Do? This post suggests that we are often thinking about titles, companies, and positions, but not about what we will actually be doing in the job we get.
LinkedIn and Indeed: Which to Use? The title of this one pretty much sums it up. This post is a comparison of the two platforms with suggestions on when to use each.
Making Physical Wellbeing Fun. We end the posts this week considering what made exercise fun when we were young and how can we bring that back into our exercise routines.
Podcasts That Caught My Attention
This week, there are just 3 short listens on the list. I hope you find one that connects for you.
7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Life. 10 minutes. Optimal Living Daily. This post reminds us to lean into discomfort and embrace the richness of life.
Execution Without Leverage. 23 minutes. Career Blast in a Half. In this interview with Nick Laudano, Lauren explores what happens when productivity becomes camouflage and when being busy replaces being effective.
Cognitive Load vs. Cognitive Distribution. 4 minutes. Self-Improvement Daily. When you space out decisions, commitments, and big activities throughout the day, you operate with more sustainability than trying to do them back-to-back.
What Do You Think?
Does the “New Look at Productivity” have you looking at your team differently?
What are your thoughts around “Shared Improvement”?
What ideas did the posts & podcasts spark that you could implement in the week ahead?