Anne Morriss, an executive coach specializing in trust and urgency, joins forces with economist Juliet Schor, a pioneer of the four-day work week. They discuss the transformative power of reducing work hours for well-being and productivity. Psychologist Azim Shariff explores how our moral perceptions of work shape culture, while political scientist Margaret Levi examines the resurgence of labor unions and their impact on workers' rights. Howie Kiebel shares insights from implementing a four-day work week at his restaurant, highlighting its success in boosting employee morale.
Effective leadership is characterized by prioritizing trust-building and problem-solving, fostering a resilient organizational culture amidst workplace challenges.
The movement toward a four-day work week highlights the need for better work-life balance, leading to increased productivity and employee well-being.
Deep dives
The Shift from Speed to Trust
The 'move fast and break things' mentality dominated the early tech landscape, pushing companies to prioritize rapid growth often at the cost of long-term stability and trust. This reckless approach led to significant fallout, revealing a lack of foundational relationships within organizations, particularly as they matured. In response, leadership coach Anne Morris and business professor Frances Fry studied successful CEOs who shifted their focus from breaking to fixing. They emphasized that effective leaders not only act with urgency but also prioritize building trust, creating a more resilient organizational culture.
A Structured Approach to Problem Solving
Morris developed a methodical approach to problem-solving across the work week, with each day focusing on a specific objective to facilitate meaningful change. On Monday, individuals are encouraged to redefine their problems and embrace curiosity about potential underlying issues. Tuesday emphasizes creating trust and developing actionable plans through open dialogue and brainstorming. By Wednesday, the initiative is to expand one's perspective by engaging with diverse voices before crafting a compelling narrative on Thursday that articulates the reasons behind the need for change.
The Benefits of a Four-Day Work Week
The growing trend of a four-day work week has emerged as a necessary response to rising workplace stress and a demand for better work-life balance. Economist Juliette Schor's research indicates that many companies implementing this model maintain or even increase productivity while enhancing employee well-being. Employees report lower stress levels and improved mental health due to better time management and reduced burnout. The trials in places like New Zealand show that not only are workers happier, but also companies benefit from reduced absenteeism and higher employee retention.
Moral Judgments of Work and Their Impacts
Psychology scholar Azeem Sharif explores the cultural moralization of hard work, suggesting that society values effort over actual productivity, often leading to harmful workplace dynamics. He found that people perceive those who struggle more in their roles as morally superior, even if their output is the same as those who work with ease. This belief perpetuates a culture of overwork where individuals feel compelled to signal their commitment through visible effort. The challenge remains to shift away from this mindset toward a more balanced appreciation of both work quality and the necessity of personal well-being.
Week in, week out, we work. But what can we do to not lose ourselves in the 9-to-5 grind? This hour, we question how long we work, why we valorize work, and what good leadership looks like. Guests include executive coach Anne Morriss, economist Juliet Schor, social psychologist Azim Shariff and political scientist Margaret Levi.
Original broadcast date: September 22, 2023
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