Here’s something I had to learn the hard way: Long hours don’t equal high productivity.
In leading my business through significant growth and transformation, I’ve encountered a fundamental truth about productivity versus hours worked. While measuring commitment by the clock is tempting, real productivity is about the value created, not the hours logged.
Here’s what I discovered: ⬇️
➡️ 1. Output Over Input Matters Most:
I once assumed that employees who stayed late were the most dedicated. But dedication isn’t just being present—it’s making meaningful contributions. An employee producing impactful results in a 6-hour focused stretch outpaces someone working 10 distracted hours.
➡️2. Fatigue Lowers Efficiency:
Long working hours can lead to burnout. A study I reviewed showed that productivity per hour starts to drop dramatically after a certain threshold (typically 40 hours per week). It’s not sustainable for either the individual or the business.
➡️3. Flexibility Empowers Performance:
Shifting to a more results-oriented approach allowed team members to work during their peak hours of focus. This flexibility led to higher morale and output without micromanaging the clock.
➡️4. Recognition Goes Beyond Overtime:
I learned to celebrate results, not just effort. Employees felt recognised when their innovative solutions and efficient processes were acknowledged, regardless of whether it took them 5 or 15 hours.
💡 Unexpected Insight: What if the future of work moved away from hours as a currency altogether? Instead, focusing solely on the results delivered?
🔎 Summary: Real productivity isn’t tied to hours worked but to what those hours achieve. When leaders shift their focus to outcomes, they can build a more efficient, motivated, and fulfilled team. – Ali Aydan
Ali Aydan: The Difference Between Employee Productivity and Hours Worked
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