3 Powerful Tools to Increase Team Productivity & Efficiency
We’re going to share some SENT practices.
While we didn’t come up with these 3 simple principles, they have transformed our team and helped us communicate and collaborate effectively.
So why not share the wealth? Maybe you’ve already heard of Extreme Ownership, the 80/20 Principle, and the Eisenhower Matrix. It’s easy for productivity tips and tricks to fade out of our habits before we’ve fully adopted them.
We’re here to tell you it’s time to revisit these 3 simple tools. Take our word for it… if you apply them across your team, you won’t regret it.
Tool #1: The Principle of Extreme Ownership
Find that your team blames each other or makes excuses for work that slips through the cracks? No more.
Popularized by former Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, The Principle of Extreme Ownership empowers individuals to take ownership of their actions and outcomes.
Leaders must own their assignments and all the tasks that fall under that project. Sure, it sounds intimidating. What if my subordinate doesn’t follow through? What happens if I fail? What if my superior doesn’t communicate clearly?
When executed across teams, you will find that team members become accountable and proactive problem solvers. Leaders lead better. Companies embrace humility. Individuals take ownership of communicating up and down the line of command because, in the end, they agree to take ownership even when it doesn’t seem just.
The Principle of Extreme Ownership encourages mutual trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to achieving objectives.
No more blaming. Just proactive measures taken by each individual.
Tool #2: The 80/20 Principle
Do you often end your work day with the realization that the most important task on your plate has barely progressed?
You might be getting stuck doing things that are somewhat impactful, but not the most impactful.
You might be thinking, “Well, all my tasks are important!”
And they probably all are. But what is the most important? Identifying the most significant and impactful tasks and focusing your energy on them is a crucial element of the 80/20 Principle.
The 80/20 Principle, also known as the Pareto Principle, states that 80% of the results should come from 20% of the effort. So 20% of your tasks will be the leverage that drives success.
Think about that. Maybe you believe that all of the tasks on your plate are important. But roughly just 20% of them will be the key factors in your growth and success.
If each member of your team identifies their “80/20” each week and focuses on the tasks with the most potential for impact, you’ll be building a culture of growth that teaches everyone to work smarter.
The 80/20 Principle helps you streamline your workflow, delegate non-essential tasks, and allocate resources effectively. It ensures that you and your team concentrate on the vital few tasks that drive the majority of the results.
No more wasting time on tasks that don’t have an impact.
Tool #3: The Eisenhower Matrix
Ever feel blindsided by an urgent task? Not sure what to prioritize?
Named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, The Eisenhower Matrix, categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance:
Urgent and important: These tasks require immediate attention and are important (they fall under the 20%, according to the Pareto Principle) and should be completed as soon as possible.
Important, but not urgent: These tasks are significant but can be scheduled for a later time. Allocate dedicated time to complete them without being overwhelmed.
Urgent, but not important: These tasks are time-sensitive but don't contribute to long-term goals. Delegate, collaborate on, or eliminate these tasks wherever possible.
Neither urgent nor important: These tasks are low-priority and don't add much value. This can include stuff that you might count as “work” but actually bears little to no fruit, such as checking your company’s LinkedIn engagements throughout the day. Eliminate these.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the Eisenhower Matrix is that it gives your team common language to assign tasks.
From there, you can prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency, align your team's efforts, and enhance overall productivity and efficiency.
No more miscommunication about what is the most important.
Tying It Up
On our team, we’ve found that…
Embracing Extreme Ownership fosters accountability and collaboration
Leveraging the 80/20 Principle helps us focus on high-impact tasks
Implementing the Eisenhower Matrix allows us to prioritize effectively
These tools will empower your team to work smarter, not harder, and achieve remarkable results.
Remember, increased productivity and efficiency are not about working more hours. It’s about working more strategically. By harnessing the power of these three tools, you and your team can accomplish more with less.
So, what are you waiting for? Start implementing these tools today and witness the transformative impact they can have on your team's productivity and efficiency. They sure did for us.
