When organisations talk about productivity, they often go straight to technology, metrics, or process design.
But in over two and a half decades of leading and advising transformation across sectors, I’ve seen the same pattern again and again:
Teams don’t get stuck because of lack of strategy. They get stuck because they’ve forgotten the basics.
Productivity begins with how people relate, think, and talk.
I use a simple model to reset the foundation of high-performing teams. It’s not complex. But it works.
Here’s how:
- Trust First: Make it Safe to Speak
True productivity starts when people feel safe to be honest—about what’s not working, what they’re unsure about, and what they need. Without that, meetings become silent performances and problems stay hidden.
Try this: Open your next team meeting with one question:
“What’s one thing energising you, and one thing blocking you this week?”
It creates space for openness. Over time, it builds a culture of trust. Make sure you resolve the issues to be authentic you your team and yourself.
- Growth Mindset: Reward Learning, Not Just Results
In too many organisations, perfection is prized more than progress. The result? People play safe, avoid feedback, and resist innovation.
Productive teams are learning teams. They try, test, reflect, and improve—without fear of being judged.
Try this: Share something you’ve learned recently. Even better, share where you changed your mind. You’ll be surprised how quickly others follow your lead.
- Crucial Conversations: Say What Matters
We waste enormous energy avoiding difficult conversations. And when people walk out of meetings thinking, “Well, we didn’t really say what we meant,” momentum stalls.
Clear, respectful, courageous conversations are at the heart of high-performing cultures.
Try this: Next time there’s tension in a meeting, ask:
“Can I check how you’re seeing this? I might be missing something.”
It’s a simple phrase that invites honesty without confrontation.
The Simplicity Advantage
These principles aren’t new. But they’re often skipped in favour of complexity. And yet, when you apply them with consistency and intent, productivity shifts—fast.
I’ve used this as part of my model to turn around struggling teams, accelerate transformation programmes, and reignite stalled performance. Not by adding more layers, but by stripping things back to what matters.
If this resonates—or if your team is stuck and you’re not sure why—I’d love to help.
Sometimes, the biggest breakthrough is doing the basics really, really well.