Author Morten Hansen, in an engaging conversation with Guy Raz, discusses how top performers achieve more by working less. They explore the myth of overwork equating to excellence, emphasizing the importance of setting limits and focusing on essential tasks. Hansen's research findings on performance efficiency over long hours are thought-provoking, challenging traditional work norms for success.
Effective collaboration involves embracing disagreements and making decisive calls.
Top performers prioritize quality over quantity by focusing on the right priorities and metrics.
Finding purpose and passion in work leads to higher dedication and performance levels.
Deep dives
Collaboration and Consensus
Collaboration thrives when leaders avoid consensus and focus on constructive debates. Morton Hanson highlights that agreement should not be the end goal, but rather embracing disagreements and making decisive calls when needed. Consensus can hinder effective collaboration, leading to conformity over innovative discussions.
Working Smarter, Not Harder
Morton Hanson challenges the notion that working longer hours equates to higher performance. By analyzing data from 5,000 case studies, he discovered that top performers prioritize quality over quantity. Doing less but focusing on the right priorities, metrics, and meetings leads to enhanced results, highlighting the value of working smarter rather than harder.
The Impact of Purpose and Passion at Work
Top performers exhibit a blend of purpose and passion in their work. Morton Hanson's research reveals that individuals who find meaning in their roles and feel a sense of excitement about their tasks demonstrate higher levels of dedication and performance. Aligning employees' emotional and professional aspects creates a more engaged workforce.
Hybrid Work Model and Virtual Collaboration
The shift towards hybrid work models raises challenges in recreating in-person collaborative interactions virtually. Morton Hanson emphasizes the importance of certain interactions being best suited for face-to-face settings, suggesting a hybrid approach with some days in the office and some remote work. The future may see advancements in technology enabling effective virtual collaboration.
Effective Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
Morton Hanson underscores the role of emotional intelligence in leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding and appealing to employees' emotions. By evoking positive emotions and inspiring individuals towards a shared vision, leaders can foster collaboration, create a sense of purpose, and drive organizational success.
When he was a young management consultant at Boston Consulting Group, Morten Hansen put in long hours–up to 90 a week, regularly. The highest performer in his office, however, was a colleague who clocked significantly less hours and rarely came in on weekends. This experience helped inspire Hansen’s research on work and is a central topic in his latest book, Great at Work: How top performers do less, work better, and achieve more. Join Morten and Guy as they explore the ideas around how to make a greater impact by doing less.
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