How to Increase Team Productivity

Being a leader, one of the most interesting and challenging aspects of running a team is keeping the team productive while being equally productive yourself. Productivity isn’t just about getting “more and more” things done. Productivity is more about creating an “environment” where every team member is “empowered” (not Feels empowered) to contribute their best.

What is Productivity

Mathematically, Productivity is pretty simple:

$$Productivity = {Output \over Input}$$

Basically, Productivity completely depends on Input & Output.

Side Note: The amazing thing about Mathematics is, its always right and as and when we learn more and more about nature, we see a lot of mathematics behind the scenes.

Let’s Deep Dive

Now that we understand how to achieve “Productivity”, lets define the Inputs also Outputs.

Output

Output are the goals you set for yourself or a team member. Few examples:

1. Innovative Solutions

2. Value Added or Cost Saved

3. Eye catchy designs

4. Features developed or bugs fixed

5. Critical Bugs identified

6. Ideas shared to improve the client.

7. Writing secure and high quality code

8. Customer/Team satisfaction

9. Growth

Make sure you define Outputs smartly.

Curious & Interested about Settings Smart Goals ? Read my detailed blog here.

Input

Inputs are what as leaders we need to provide to ourselves or a team member. Few examples:

1. Fear Free Environment (Not talking about job safety, that is a myth).

2. Investment (Health, Time, Energy).

3. Decision taking ability (Empowerment).

4. Effective feedback with a permission to fail after trying.

5. Knowledge sharing & mentoring

6. Support (Be it direction, upskilling, reskilling etc.)

7. Tools and Tech

8. Empathy

If you observe the list carefully, the inputs needed for productivity defines the “environment”.

As Leaders, make sure Inputs are “Clear” and “Relevant”.

The real world

Of course when we deal with humans, there are a lot more things to consider. Few examples:

1. Poor Leadership

2. Bureaucracy

3. Hypocrisy

4. Politics

5. Non lean Processes

6. Lack of Trust

7. Conflicts/Incompetency

More about this some other day, Lets stick to the math for now.

Where things go wrong

As leaders, productivity is never “enough” personally. We set the bar so high for ourselves, always try to solve more problems as quickly as possible and never get settled for less.

Many productivity issues arise when inputs and outputs are not aligned or don’t correlate as expected. Few examples:

1. Unmet Expectations & Goals

2. Burnout, Stress & Un-happiness

3. Reduced Innovation.

4. Resource misuse.

What you can do?

1. Provide CLEAR and RELEVANT Inputs.

2. Set SMART Outputs.

3. Monitor Productivity.

4. Fine Tune and Improve.

Some More Mathematics

When someone is NOT Performing well, they “clearly” need more “Relevant“ inputs.

$$Productivity = {Output \over Input++}$$

When someone is Performing well, adding more inputs will amplify output.

$${ Productivity \times Input++} = Output++$$

Next Steps

Ready to amplify your team's productivity? Start implementing these strategies today and witness the difference in energy, engagement, and results. I suggest you Start small, stay consistent and see big results.

Hope this blog transforms the way you or your team works.

Thank You

If you have reached so far, congratulations. Please feel free to share your thoughts via the comments.

Let's Connect

Hi, I’m Sandeep Gokhale, and I'm passionate about building high-performing teams at my company, Techvito and I write about Technology, People, Processes and some more fun stuff.

Need a tailored approach? Let’s connect— Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Until Next time!