In this episode of Manager Tools, Kate and Sarah discuss the common complaint that everyone has too much work to do, exploring why this feeling is so prevalent and what managers can do to help their teams. They argue that organizations are inherently designed to have more work than can be realistically accomplished, and that striving for the "Goldilocks" amount of work is not only impossible but also detrimental. The speakers delve into the dangers of having too little work, such as fear of job loss and decreased morale, and explain why "too much work" is often the correct amount, as it drives productivity, helps identify future leaders, and incentivizes top performers while discouraging poor performers. They also touch upon the shift to remote work during the pandemic and how it has affected productivity metrics, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual stress thresholds and workload management.
