Economic turbulence, especially after the 2008 crisis and severely intensified by the recent pandemic, alongside political instability, are two of the main characteristics of today's society. Uncertainty and instability have become part of the corporate environment, forcing leaders to rethink their strategies. 'Doing more with less' – is a reality known to all! We are forced to produce more with fewer resources, which directly impacts the pressure felt by all members of the organization. I highlight three main aspects in this new corporate phase: 'Never offline'; Pressure for results, and long working hours.
Never offline
The necessity, even if subliminal, imposed on employees to always be contactable results in the absence of true rest periods. Our brains remain constantly on alert, whether waiting for an upcoming message, an email that needs responding to, or a social media notification we can't miss. Even if we're not fully aware of our state of constant connection, the fact is, from a physiological standpoint, this corresponds to a systematic mobilization of biological resources for action.
Pressure for Results
We well know that today, what is not measured, practically does not exist. Our entire professional journey must 'fit' into an Excel document. The need to parameterize everything, defining always measurable objectives, brings a level of pressure that adds stress to the execution of any daily task. Not only are salaries linked to the achievement of objectives, but the very survival of the job position depends on it. Being permanently online is, therefore, not only a way to ensure that nothing escapes us but also a tool to increase the chances of achieving objectives.
Long Working Hours
The fact that people are systematically available, along with the pressure to achieve goals, naturally requires a redoubled dedication to work. Nowadays, it's common for employees to significantly extend their working hours, well beyond their presence in the office. I'm referring to working in 'two shifts': the first corresponds to physical presence at the workplace and the second to hours worked at home, either finishing pending tasks or anticipating others. It's inevitable that the sum of these two moments interferes with personal life, consequently reducing rest time – which we know is crucial for high-level performance.
The combination of the impact of these three factors has two common consequences in the corporate world: stress and fatigue. The extremely demanding environment of organizations imposes such high paces that often result in intense personal wear, with costs, both short and long term, for health and well-being. At the same time, it leads to a negative impact on productivity, which contradicts the need for companies to have highly efficient employees every minute of the day. How can we then ensure high productivity in the office and ensure a constant ability to renew energy without compromising the balance between personal and professional life? It is about these tools that I will equip you with in the ‘Individual and Team Performance’ program, which I proudly direct.
Article by José Soares, Director of the Executive Training Program ‘Performance Individual e das Equipas’.
