I’m constantly arguing for more slack in the system. Too many managers treat knowledge work like it’s a factory. I ran a team for about a year and was constantly pushing them to do less. The team were the ones trying to pile on more work, a force of habit I think. I noticed that when we planned less, people finished faster (probably due to greater focus and a quick finish in sight), then they pulled more into the spr…
> Everyone looks really busy though, I guess that’s all that matters anymore. This is a dangerous tide incoming. I once had a conversation with a new exec as to why a certain team doesn't "look busy". In their mind people are just "coasting" and need to pull up their socks and improve delivery. The concept of being proficient and streamlined about your work simply didn't strike a chord. That place went downhill prett…
It was in the bar of a beach hotel at 11AM on a Tuesday, of course. I think he was on two Teams meetings the whole time as well.