Overcoming productivity failures

Just wanting something is not enough, you should have a blueprint, say strategic plan, in place to get it.

A dream transforms into reality only when the dreamer has a blueprint to achieve it. Visionaries are the ones who dream and carry the zeal to take their company to the next level.

When you set out on a journey, you reach the destination when you plan how to reach it, without which it would be aimless and endless travelling with no trace of the destination.

An eye on the destination will compel you to plan and create a strategy to reach the right spot.

We cannot control some situations many a time; political, financial, legal or competitive environments in which we function. Unseen events should be dealt with by taking quick actions before it affects business. When you have a strategic plan in place, managers can assess the risk factors and a contingent plan to deal with it.

In today’s scenario, the changes are introduced rapidly, so companies should swiftly adjust their strategies to adapt to the changing conditions and move ahead along with the need of the hour.

I’ve always felt Human Resource Department in any organization has a simple job to do as compared to others. And I was wrong! Considering the dynamics of human behaviour, they have one of the toughest jobs in hand. Building a work culture and keeping employees motivated is a herculean task.

Many people quit jobs because they hate going to work or they have started disliking the work culture. There is no dream workplace or a dream job. This could actually turn out to be a myth for some! But say it this way that change in your behaviour can create a work culture that supports your and the organization’s growth.

Often precious time is spent on routine activities and we are oblivious about the progress we have made. Don’t let the plan be on papers, sit with your team regularly to compare what results the plan was supposed to deliver with the actual results.

Revisit your plan to answer the questions: Is your plan working out? Are your efforts being paid off? This makes you alert at the right junctures about the challenges you are facing at present and corrective measures you need to take.

Tweak the plan based on the present situation and changes in the business operations. Re-assess your performance and realign your activities. Daily activities might keep you too occupied, like having focus on revenue might be your priority. But, regularly take out time to review performance, update the plan to ensure that you are on the right track so that you won’t deviate from the goal.

Decision-making is an art that has a technique. When you are faced with multiple choices, what will be the criterion to make the right choice? Well, if you have a plan in place with an unwavering focus on the goal, you will list your priorities based on the importance it has to achieve the goal.

Also, introspect about skills you and your team need to upgrade. Keep everyone abreast of latest processes, technologies et al.

Let’s say someone at office points out your mistake and you just don’t agree with it. You have two choices; either carefully listen to understand his or her perspective or just express the sharp disapproval without even listening to the point.

The consequences can be any (in your favour or against), but with the former solution, your positive attitude is revealed. Hidden in this positive approach is your career growth and a chain reaction that spreads positivity throughout the organization (the utmost need).

With a positive attitude and optimistic approach, you look for solutions as opposed to flaring up a conflict situation. Team power increases; you inherently work towards making your team a success and the aim to achieving organizational goals supersedes the need to win arguments.

Disagreements are necessary but, let them be productive where you exchange ideas to arrive at the best one. This is the basis of all brainstorming sessions. Conflict of ideas is imperative as we all think and feel differently. But, disagreements should not bring stress at any point, if they do, there is clearly something wrong.

Stress mars the productivity and it spreads negativity amongst people around you. You might have a personal challenge that stays unresolved for days together. But, don’t carry this stress to your workplace. Let not stress overtake your effort, in result affecting your productivity. Often stress spills through anger or frustration at workplace affecting the work culture as well.

When you decipher the reasons for stress to further find its solutions, you are stress-free and happy. When spirits are high and you bring a positive vibe, everyone wishes to be associated with you. Low stress increases productivity as you are less defensive and you don’t create unnecessary conflicts with others. Happiness and low-stress level increase morale and camaraderie.

One of the reasons for stress is that workplaces are transforming fast at the Godspeed, and for many, it’s tough to keep pace with it. In such a case don’t lose your ground. It’s never too late to learn. Always be eager to learn because, with this attitude, you overcome the hesitation to approach colleagues for guidance. Teammates appreciate your efforts and they contribute to your growth. You too possess knowledge which might inspire your colleagues and they start learning from you.

This way you create a work culture where learning and knowledge-sharing becomes an enjoyable experience. Sometimes it’s also vital to unlearn before you learn new methods of approaching work.

In this endeavour to learn, you easily confide to them and start communicating comfortably to exchange ideas, thoughts and your aims. May it be your boss or colleague, it’s necessary to clearly communicate your expectations and challenges. When communication is clear and transparent, you know what both parties expect. Thus, you both reach your goals without getting frustrated about unrealized ambitions.

One of the best ways to connect with your employees is to develop emotional intelligence and be empathetic at work. This will transform your approach towards workplace and the way people approach you. Understand the challenges your colleagues go through and guide them if you are equipped to do so. Look out for opportunities to help people and develop a cohesive work environment.

So, creating a healthy workplace where you love to go each day is your responsibility at first. Organizations are built by people on the edifice of a work culture that is open to ideas. Thus, each employee is responsible for creating a creative, stress-free and productive work culture by changing his or her behaviour.

Remember your behaviour can create a work culture that you wish thus, building a dream workplace.

A dream takes the shape of reality with a well-versed strategic plan. Retrospect about your plan, introspect about your strengths and weaknesses. Keep learning; curious minds often stumble upon great ideas, and great planners make real the envisioned ideas.

A choice that takes you closer to your goal is just the right one. Keep gauging what-if situations!

Adding to it, to another line of reasoning, the idea of having a productive timeline is working for fewer hours like say 4 hours a day. Sounds strange? Here’s what we mean to say.

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Hey, there? This article is republished under the ‘Best of TNT’ series after clubbing two articles related to stress and strategic planning with a few edits. It is a step further for the content to be contagious to make it counted yet again and for the ones who missed it!