{"id":149,"date":"2007-09-13T11:25:43","date_gmt":"2007-09-13T10:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/progmanager.wordpress.com\/2007\/09\/13\/proximity-as-the-biggest-enemy-of-productivity\/"},"modified":"2007-09-13T11:25:43","modified_gmt":"2007-09-13T10:25:43","slug":"proximity-as-the-biggest-enemy-of-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/realisedevelopment.net\/index.php\/2007\/09\/13\/proximity-as-the-biggest-enemy-of-productivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Interruption as the Biggest Enemy of Productivity?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mark Howell over at Strategy Central<\/a> writes:<\/p>\n

Do you know what the biggest enemy of productivity is? Can you guess?<\/p>\n

According to Jason Fried<\/a>, founder of 37signals<\/a>, “proximity is an invitation to interruption and interruption is the biggest enemy of productivity.”<\/p>\n

Interruptions maybe a problem – but proximity is not the cause.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I work with colleagues all over the world – and I often wish we shared an office – especially when we have a telephone conference. Proximity improves communication and understanding, deepens relationships and provides some lubricant to getting things done!<\/p>\n

The problem may be:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. a lack of protocols and agreements about an ‘open door policy’ and what it means. Especially when there aren’t any doors!<\/li>\n
  2. no formal planned times for 121 communication to take place. If there were then 99% of the non-urgent stuff could wait for the planned time.<\/li>\n
  3. a lack of assertiveness in handling inappropriate requests or contact<\/li>\n
  4. people are just so dis-engaged with the work that they just don’t care.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Whatever the problem – it is not proximity.<\/p>\n