A New Paradigm of Productivity?
- Rhucha Kulkarni
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Last week, I penned some thoughts on Slowing Down,, and I received some comments – Slowing Down sounds good, it’s a good-to-do, but isn’t it an antithesis to today’s age and expectations around productivity and performance? And - is it even really feasible?
Indeed, it set me thinking and I decided to research the definition and meaning of “Productivity”.
What is Productivity?
So here is an AI-generated definition of productivity…
Productivity is a measure of how much is produced (output) compared to the resources (inputs) used to produce it, typically within a specific timeframe.
McKinsey puts it simply as… “productivity is a measure of output relative to input”*1.
If we look at these, the focus largely lies on how efficiently work is done, whether it's at an individual, team, or organizational level. But all of us know that getting work done is not just about efficiency, but about effectiveness.
Interestingly, McKinsey also elaborates this qualitative aspect at a macro-level like this…Productivity measures the amount of value created for each hour that is worked in a society*1.
The Problem with Productivity as we Know It
Economist John Maynard Keynes first predicted in 1930 that advanced technology would lead to a 15-hour workweek within a century.4 And yet the promise of a future where technology frees workers to focus on high-value work—strategic thinking, creativity, complex problem-solving—seems to keep getting deferred*3 .
In more recent times, we have all heard enough and more about 70-hour workweeks, skills gaps and skills shifts, and “protecting our jobs in the wake of AI”. The fact remains, that Artificial Intelligence is reshaping work and the worker-employer value proposition. We need a human value proposition for the age of AI*2.
This is especially true for the growing workforce of the Gen Zs and Millennials – who are projected to make up 74% of the global workforce by 2030. We are already seeing their shift in attitude towards work – they are seeking more than just a job – making money is important but so is finding #meaningfulwork and #wellbeing. They are looking for careers with the right #balance of these factors*4. Add to this, Gen Y’s addition to the workforce and their new attitudes, and the complexity of the employer-employee contract changes drastically, with fewer fulltime employees and the pressure to deliver quick solutions in an increasingly fast- paced and unpredictable business environment*6.
Money, meaning and wellbeing intersect to form the foundation for happiness at work. *4.
With these magnanimous shifts at both the employee and employer end, is the race for “doing more for the sake of more” addressing today’s real-world challenges?
OR
Are we mindlessly running after good-looking efficiency numbers in a bid to “prove productivity”?
What is the impact of this relentless pursuit on our wellbeing – physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, social wellbeing, and so on? We are already hearing cases of heart attacks at 35, and emotional burnout and overwhelming exhaustion at 40 – is all this taking us on the right path?
New-Age Relevance of Productivity
As machines take over much of the mundane tasks, focusing on the “how” rather than the “how much” is the key to unlock real and relevant Productivity for the Self and the Collective. Is being “always on” essential, or is it ok to sometimes “do nothing” and just Be?
Productivity = Impact
The skills transformation is already happening.
On average, workers can expect that two-fifths (39%) of their existing skill sets will be transformed or become outdated over the 2025-2030 period*5.
Hence, more than output, it is time individuals and organizations measure the real value and impact, at various levels, encompassing – business impact, social impact , economic impact, environmental impact, impact on psychological wellness and wellbeing, and so on.
Productivity = Stagility
In a fast-moving environment, we have all upheld the virtues of agility. However, the incessant pursuit of agility has led to a significant and sometimes, undesirable disruption – loss of stability for workers, financial insecurity stemming from uncertain macroeconomic factors, and environmental concerns.
The answer lies in creating Stagility – creating stability for workers, for organizations to move at speed*7. Productivity must be redefined by designing the right anchors in a chaotic world – anchors for people, anchors for organization, and anchors for the work itself.
Productivity = Purpose
Purpose influences motivation, engagement, and according to 89% of Gen Zs and 92% of Millennials, it is important to job satisfaction and wellbeing*4.
So, the question to ask ourselves, is – “Is our productivity purpose-driven and meaningful? Or is it merely achievement-driven?”
Doing things with #purpose and #passion aka Living your Mojo, can tie into better into impact, at all levels as mentioned above. This requires us to take a Pause and Reflect…
Why are we doing what we are doing?
Delving into the Why can unlock incremental and sustained value.
It is clear, Productivity is not just a work-paradigm, but an overarching life-paradigm. Only when the right kind of productivity pervades every aspect of our living, can we be truly successful in a sustained way.
In a Nutshell…
Now is the time to be more mindful, redefine and reimagine Productivity to align not only with the Future of Work, but more holistically, with our Future of Life. This change can begin with every person, by asking the right questions that challenge the existing norms. Knowing oneself better and accepting Self for who we are, relooking at one’s values, assessing the Why of everything, lies at the core of Who We Are. Productivity paradigms will change only when we bring “what matters” into more focus. Maybe begin by asking…
What does an ideal day/week/month look like for ME?
What values go into MY Productivity Paradigm?
What are some non-negotiables in my quest for productivity?
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Enjoyed reading and connected to it as well @Rhucha 💕