When we were running the pilot batch for our Zen Productivity program, some participants said that it is practically impossible to focus while at work.
The first culprit is the ‘open office plan’ that encourages people to interrupt each other any time for casual banter, or just to say ‘hello.’
And sometimes, this banter culture is taken so far that even if you try hiding in a meeting room to do some focused work, people will poke their head and ask you what you are upto. And it would be rude to not respond.
To put it bluntly, this makes zero sense.
Why would companies hire talented people, and then not let them work? Why can’t we be friendly and banter etc., but also carve our time for focus? Because when people can’t get their work done during office hours, they do it in hiding — late at night or on weekends.
How does that make a great culture?
It is difficult to change open office plans — I get that. But it should be the responsibility of EVERY company to help their employees carve out time for focused work.
You can do strategic planning, hire expensive consultants, and do fancy offsites — but if people can’t do their best work, your company can’t succeed.
In today’s age, focus is not a luxury — it is oxygen.
– Rajan