Taking a look at various leadership and business trend reports, there’s a lot of hype this year around leadership feeling burned out, particularly managers, who are the vital link between top leaders and all the other team players in the trenches. So the question begs, if managers are feeling squeezed and stressed, how does that affect productivity?

Productivity can’t thrive in a culture that doesn’t feel engaged. It suffers when there’s low morale and when leaders and managers are burned out. And when burnout is high, people are either quietly quitting—or actively quitting—which has a trickle-down effect, further driving down morale, engagement and retention.

There are a lot of factors contributing to productivity issues today. After focusing more on their people’s psychological wellbeing and safety during COVID, leaders and managers are grappling with the need to beef up accountability again. Add to that, there’s the uncertainty around Artificial Intelligence, unknowns about how that will truly help or actually hinder productivity. And, many employees today are working remotely and feel it’s important in their work-life balance, while leadership is grappling with how to build engagement with remote and hybrid cultures.

With all this going on, it can be hard for top leaders and their managers to amplify and maintain productivity. But every year, every decade, and every generation has its struggles with productivity. It’s not a new challenge. The key is to bring discipline to the table when tackling productivity, whether it’s floundering or successful for you.

By discipline, we mean a proactive structure, a proven management system and, more importantly, a program around accountability that supports balance in the workplace, not favoring a culture that’s run like a country club or a jail.

We also know that having the right business plan in place plus contingency plans in the wings are powerful if executed correctly. They allow leaders and managers to build alignment around Vital Goals and take appropriate actions when certain events, pressures or surprises occur. And trust us, they will happen. No business is immune to uncertainty.

As you ring in the New Year, put some fresh focus on how you’ll bring discipline to the table, managing the massively important aspect of productivity in the workplace and especially creating and sustaining an environment in which your leadership feels engaged, empowered and productive—not squeezed, stressed and burned out.

A proven approach to boosting productivity and getting sustainable results is the solution. And MAP Consulting can help with its leadership and executive training, professional development for individuals and teams, and a proven accountability system that’s all about getting consistent results. Our world-class workshops are a great starting point. Contact MAP today!