Mastering Productivity
Productive organizations share a common trait—highly productive leaders.
Highly productive leaders create a climate in which people go the extra mile to perform at remarkably high levels. This is because when leaders set the example, staff willingly put extraordinary discretionary effort into their work.
It’s true that not everyone is born a great or productive leader. But it’s also true that everyone can grow their leadership skills to those of greatness and productivity.
The following well-researched traits paint a picture of productive leadership.
Accountability. Productive leaders hold staff accountable for outcomes. The Best Buy organization, for example, reported a 35% increase in productivity when they factored accountability for results into their staff’s work.
Clear objectives. Staff is empowered to reach the organization’s goals when they understand the goals. Leaders that can explain clearly the objectives of each and every project are facilitating the organization’s attainment of goals.
Continuous improvement. By proactively engaging their organization in continuous improvement, leaders also proactively encourage higher productivity. Ensuring systems and processes are up-to-date and continuously looking for ways to improve both enables higher productivity.
Enthusiasm. Emotions are highly contagious. By expressing enthusiasm for a project, for the organization, and for work (in general), leaders inspire staff to radiate the same enthusiasm. The result is that enthusiastic people are more energized and willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve goals.
Respect. Proactively soliciting staff’s advice not only engages staff, but also encourages respect. And where there is respect, there is also higher productivity.
Recognition. Nothing creates a positive work environment like a display of sincere appreciation for a job well done. Studies show a direct link between a positive working environment and greater productivity.
Productivity is essential to organizational (and individual) success. It is the core factor that dictates not only an organization’s standard of living, but each individual’s standard of living, as well. And organizations that master the art of productivity are ahead of their competition and can, therefore, boast a healthy standard of living.
As evident in the above list of productive leadership traits, being productive does not require complexity. A culture of straightforward, common sense behaviours that are within the grasp of every leader is the key to enhancing organizational productivity.