Proper Productivity #1
Welcome to Proper Productivity
Welcome to the inaugural issue of "Proper Productivity" by Operosus. Every 2 weeks, we'll cut through the hype to bring you evidence-based productivity insights, tools, and techniques that actually work. No fluff, just practical solutions.
The Latest in Productivity Research
Debunking Productivity Myths in HR
Gartner research identified four pervasive myths hampering employee productivity:
- The myth of "productivity paranoia" - Trust-based environments actually increase output
- The fallacy of "productivity equality" - One-size-fits-all approaches often backfire
- The collaboration trap - Excessive collaboration creates significant drag
- The technology solution mirage - More tools often leads to digital overwhelm
The Accuracy Problem in WFH Evaluation
Research reveals that both employees and managers consistently misremember productivity levels when evaluating work-from-home performance. Before making sweeping statements about remote work productivity, organisations should implement objective measurement systems.
Phone Bans: Not the Solution
Research challenges phone bans in workplaces. Researchers recommend:
- Designated digital breaks
- Distraction-free zones rather than company-wide prohibitions
- Teaching attention management skills instead of forced restrictions
Meeting Evolution in 2025
Five strategies reshaping productive meetings:
- Purpose-driven gathering - Every meeting must justify its existence
- Asynchronous-first approach - Handle information sharing before live meetings
- Tech-enabled facilitation - Use AI for notes, action items, and follow-ups
- Outcome measurement - Evaluate meetings by results, not occurrence
- Collaborative ownership - Distribute meeting responsibilities
Productivity Library: A Free Resource
I built the Operosus Productivity Library—a free tool that serves as your comprehensive reference guide to all things productivity.
Access the free Productivity Library
One Thing to Try This Week
Choose just one meeting on your calendar and try this experiment: Cancel it, but handle all the necessary information exchange asynchronously through a collaborative document instead. Track the time saved and the quality of the outcome.
Until next time,
Dean Cookson
Founder, Operosus