Slow Productivity

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed many knowledge workers’ already-troubled relationships with the notion of productivity toward breaking point. In response, millions participated in the “Great Resignation” — quitting high-pressure jobs in favor of less demanding ones. Others embraced “quiet quitting”: giving a minimum performance at work. 

Clearly, knowledge workers are deeply unhappy. For many, their days consist of endless activities unconnected to concrete goals or metrics that would give a sense of productivity and accomplishment. Often, they work under the eagle eye of managers who crack the whip but have no way of knowing whether their people’s busyness is adding up to anything.