I enable organizations to simplify so they can focus on valuable work. As founder and CEO of FutureThink in NYC, I’ve helped orgs like Google and Novartis kill complexity so they can better drive change. When I’m not delivering keynotes, I’m writing books on simplification and change (Kill the Company and Why Simple Wins).
The modern workplace is dead. Employees are shuffling through outdated practices , walking through a graveyard of irrelevant routines. These once well-intentioned ways of working have outlived their usefulness, suffocating creativity and strangling productivity.
To survive and thrive going forward, we must challenge the status quo and eliminate the deadweight dragging us down. Outdated practices are more than just an inconvenience; they are a significant source of inefficiency. Consider the findings from Capterra's 2023 report,"Work Friction is Causing Employees to Go Rogue." Employees who engage in process hacking – the act of improving and streamlining workflows – can respond to the unexpected and are also at least 20% more likely to exceed key goals. Yet, many organizations remain shackled by red tape and antiquated procedures. The real-world impact of this inefficiency is staggering. A 2023 McKinsey research study revealed that approximately 53% of the workforce is either disengaged or actively disengaged. This disengagement not only hampers productivity but also destroys value. In contrast, engaged employees build value and drive success. The difference between these two groups can be the difference between a thriving business and a failing one. Life and death. So, how do we combat this workplace zombie apocalypse? The solution lies in challenging our processes and red tape to focus on work that truly matters. The goal is not to breathe new life into outdated practices, but instead to cut the dead weight.The first step to reviving our workplaces is to take stock of all current processes. This involves defining what constitutes valuable work. List all tasks and processes, and rank them based on how much time they require versus their impact. The goal is to identify and eliminate tasks that consume a lot of time but have low or no impact. By focusing on high-impact activities, we can free up time and resources for more meaningful work. Take it a step further by then identifying redundant, duplicative work. Identify if multiple people are doing the same work by comparing task lists across teams. There could even be redundancies across departments. The result of this practice is to reduce wasted efforts to streamline workflows, ultimately amplifying team effectiveness and resource allocation. ‘Are You Ready?’—Elon Musk Fans Wild Rumors Donald Trump Will Create A U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve And Trigger Crypto Price Chaos Red tape is the bane of creativity and efficiency. It stifles innovation and frustrates employees. To combat this, we need to start a practice of questioning the necessity of each process. Ask whether something truly needs to be done a certain way or if it’s merely a relic of an outdated system. If a practice is impeding creativity and efficiency, it’s time to let it go. To make this an ongoing practice, regularly ask the right questions to find out if something is necessary or if it's potentially getting in the way. This could look like “What if we didn’t create this report?” or “If I was training a new employee on this task, what would I tell them to make this effort as streamlined as possible?” Provocative questions like these can help identify unnecessary red tape within an organization.In our quest for productivity, we often fall into the trap of taking on new projects without first making room for them. This leads to overburdened employees and diluted focus. Before committing to new projects, take a hard look at existing ones. Ditch the non-essentials to make room for the new. This ensures that we’re not just busy, but productive and focused on what truly matters. Learn to say “Yes” and “No” with purpose and intent. To make this easier, consider a criteria for each. Declining tasks and saying “No” is just as important as saying “Yes.” Optimizing productivity and efficiency starts with strategically focusing your time and tasks on the most important projects.Outdated practices are suffocating our creativity and productivity, but they don't have to. By taking stock of our processes, challenging red tape and inefficiencies, and by being strategic about new projects, we can transform our workplaces from graveyards of inefficiency to dynamic hubs of innovation. Imagine a lively workplace where prioritization is a daily practice, creativity flourishes, and employees are engaged and driven. We can cut the dead weight, break free from the chains of outdated practices, unleash our full potential, and focus on what truly matters. Together, we can revive our workplaces and keep the spirit of productivity alive and thriving.Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kindContinuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejectedAttempts or tactics that put the site security at riskProtect your community.
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