Most of us appreciate that the structure of the “modern” workplace and classroom originate from the industrial revolution. At that time Europe and the USA were very different places with economies dominated by manufacturing, farming and the military sectors. Accordingly, our schools and workplaces were structured around processes, with rows of pupils and employees engaged in “manufacturing” lines learning and working by rote. This was, at best, OK if you had a predominant left brain and therefore a fondness for logic and numbers but if you were at all right brained and therefore focused on emotions and feelings then you left school as an under performer and disliked your employment with a passion. (OK I exaggerate a little but you get the gist).
Today, we appreciate much more about the ways of the human brain and therefore about the demographics of learning and working preferences. We have seen the growth of homeworking, e-learning etc. and other more flexible ways of organising ourselves. However, what has not happened is a revolution in how we structure education and work.
So what can we do to make the workplace more aligned with the workings of the human brain? The good news is that a new book called Brain Rules by John Medina sheds some light on this challenging subject. Having studied the brain and human behaviour for many years Medina makes several interesting observations on how we can improve productivity at work:
1. Let morning people work in the morning and night people work at night
2. Don’t hold important meetings at 3pm – have a 30 minute nap instead and see productivity soar as a result
3. Have 1 -2 -1 meetings on the move – it keeps the brain awake
4. Multi-tasking is a myth – get off the grid to get some focus (switch the laptop and fone off) by going analogue (use paper and pen for a change)
Medina presents a compelling and articulate view of the future which all HR professionals would do well to pay attention to. His thinking reminds me of something I read years ago
As maths is to physics - psychology is to human resources
4 comments:
Let morning people work in the morning - great idea. I did not realise how much of a later in the day person I was until I set out on my own as a consultant. There is no need for me to be at my desk at 8 am ...and my best work is usually created in the late afternoon.
And I can also vouch for 1to 1 meetings on the move. One such example was a meeting I had while walking over the Forth Road Bridge!
There will be logisticaly challenges with your suggestions but that doesn't mean that they are not worth trying!
Like the verbal ratio!
No meetings at 3pm. What a great idea. Could you please call my CEO.
Maybe I'll just create an anonymous email and send her this link.
Scott, Medina certainly presents revolutionary ideas to the business world that very much oppose common sense.
When you think about it, if employees eat a big lunch at noon, especially with foods full of carbs, fat and sugar [bread and butter, fries and dessert] they literally take away the brain's ability to stay as alert. They are ready to sleep during that ultra important business meeting!
Thanks for including my web site as a source for more tips.
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