Productivity improvement is a regular topic of discussion among managers.
With World Productivity Day approaching, we wanted to take some time to discuss this important topic and share our thoughts on how hiring the right people can make a significant difference in your team’s overall productivity.
The Benefits of Productivity Improvement
For starters, let’s take a look at the benefits of productivity improvement. Improved productivity across your organization can lead to:
- Cost Reduction: Increased productivity means that more work can be done in less time, which can help to reduce labor costs and increase profitability.
- Higher Quality Output: When employees are more productive, they can focus more on producing high-quality work, which can lead to improved customer satisfaction and increased revenue.
- Improved Efficiency: Productivity improvements can help to streamline business processes and make operations more efficient, which can lead to greater competitiveness in the market.
- Faster Innovation: When employees are more productive, they have more time to focus on innovative ideas and creative solutions, which can lead to faster innovation and product development.
- Improved Workplace Culture: Productivity improvements can also benefit employees by reducing stress and work overload, leading to better job satisfaction and higher employee retention rates.
Productivity Improvements through Hiring
True productivity stems from a desire to achieve both personal successes as well as help lead your company or organization to success as a whole. In the workplace, a positive company culture is one of the most important factors when it comes to creating a productive environment.
To facilitate productivity, an individual must be set up for success in their job. This all starts with how and who you hire.
Finding the right person that is a true fit for the role and the team gives that person the natural ability to succeed in their position. A true fit starts with understanding the expectations of the role and what type of individual can successfully deliver on those expectations. This is also why writing accurate job descriptions and taking the proper time to qualify candidates is so crucial.
Setting Expectations to Improve Team Productivity
Before hiring, take the time to ask yourself “Are we hiring to replace someone, or is there an opportunity to shift this role to complement the team in an elevated way?”
Incorporate team members in initial feedback on the role, by asking questions such as:
- What can/should be offloaded?
- Where are there gaps in responsibilities?
- Where is there overlap?
- Do existing team roles need to be more defined?
Answering these questions will help to eliminate confusion and overlap in positions – no more ‘who’s doing what’ mixups or lacking ownership over responsibilities.
Setting expectations as a team can help elevate the entire organization to a higher level, and improve overall team dynamics by ensuring your employees feel heard. Taking the time to follow these steps before hiring will also make it easier to create a clear and effective onboarding process.
Defining Productivity: Key Considerations
Unless directly related to team growth, we don’t often get into the conversations of defining productivity with our clients. However, we do recommend our clients consider the ‘feel good’ factors of productivity by asking questions such as:
- Is the team connecting?
- How is the quality of current output?
- Has the overall team flow improved?
We also take a look at the raw data by considering:
- Are we increasing revenue?
- Are we selling more?
- Are we meeting our growth goals?
Rock Stars Versus Super Stars
In evaluating thousands of candidates based on behaviors, we’ve adopted what Radical Candor refers to as ‘rock stars’ and ‘superstars’ categorization. Each of these types of individuals have unique advantages and strengths, when leveraged correctly.
Rockstars are individuals who are stable, and perform well within their roles but have little to no desire for advancement or change. They are content staying where they are.
Superstars are also high performers, who will prioritize advancement and moving on to the next level.
When defining productivity and success, you likely want to consider different definitions for each type of person and determine who will best align with which roles to meet those productivity expectations.
Culture & Team Productivity
We believe that, in most organizations, culture is a primary factor influencing productivity.
Productivity quickly tanks when you’re working in a toxic environment. We recently spoke with a COO who was seeking to revamp her entire upper management because she was tired of “shuffling the seats on the Titanic”. If workplace culture is off, productivity could be considered a sinking ship.
Foster a culture that positively reinforces team productivity by setting a vision and goals, showing team members how they’re a part of something bigger than themselves, and providing ample growth opportunities.
Providing reward and recognition systems to all employees, not just high earners, can also help foster a positive and productive environment.
Vision & Goal Setting
An organization that cultivates a culture where the company vision and goals are clearly defined and regularly shared is more likely to motivate team members to perform at a higher level. Components of your vision and goals may include organization, team and individual impact and growth.
Making an Impact
As human beings and individuals, we’re motivated by the idea that what we’re doing on a day-to-day basis is creating change that we can be proud of.
Beyond ‘making money’ for the company, team members need to know that the work they’re doing is adding value to the team, helping hit milestones in the market, and working towards achieving something important.
A study by Forbes found that there are five major motivations that drive people’s actions at work; achievement, power, affiliation, security, and adventure. In addition to having job security, individuals also performed better when they had the ability to accomplish tasks and be recognized for their achievements.
Additionally, individuals were more highly motivated when they felt as if they were in a work environment in which they were accepted and surrounded by like-minded individuals.
Growth Opportunities
Another motivator for positive culture and thus improved productivity is the opportunity for growth. Most individuals desire to grow both individually and within their organizations.
Listening to your employees, gaining insight, and acknowledging and responding to desires for growth are crucial. Ensuring that your team feels supported and encouraged to follow their passions greatly adds to a productive culture.
Productivity Improvement: Linx Talent Advisors Process
Our team adheres to the adage “don’t rush into a bad decision”. Our process helps guide organizations through the steps they need to take to align expectations for the job and identify the candidates that will be the best fit for the roles they’re hiring for.
We set the stage early on to understand what gaps need to be filled, what responsibilities may need to be moved around, how we can best support the entire team with a new hire, and ultimately if the job description needs to be modified to accommodate what the organization really needs.
World Productivity Day
At the root of highly-productive, high-performing teams is communication. With World Productivity rapidly approaching, we encourage organizations to evaluate what processes they have in place to help their managers understand their own communication styles, as well as the styles of communication of their team members and direct reports.
Some ways to further tune into what individuals are truly communicating:
- Actively listen
- Pay attention to body language
- Listen to changes to their tone of voice
- Complete behavioral assessments for each team member
When you have a better grasp on others’ communication styles you can begin to adapt your behaviors and responses to best support them in being productive and successful within their role.
Partner With Linx Talent Advisors
Does your current hiring process support a positive workplace culture and productivity? Let Linx Talent Advisors help you build your dream team. Request a complimentary Introductory Call today.
