The Cost of Fragmented Attention

By Pascal Dennis

Multi-tasking is bunk – the costs far outweigh the benefits.

Here’s a fine HBR piece by Ron Friedman that explains why.

Friedman nicely describes what I call ‘start-stop waste’.

Multi-tasking entails continually stopping a task, and starting a new one.

The cost is depth – we become stupider. Friedman suggests the cost is ten IQ points. In my experience, it’s quite a bit higher.

Very smart people do very dumb things while multi-tasking. (I speak from humbling experience.)

Start-stop waste is epidemic in New Product Development, where some managers below we have to ‘keep the pipeline full’, and Designers loaded to 100%.

But once the number of projects per designer exceeds eight or so, start-stop waste balloons.

The same syndrome arises in support groups like IT, Engineering and Maintenance. In our coaching work, we suggest an upper load limit of 80%.

The remaining 20%, which we call ‘White Space’, is a fine buffer for life’s inevitable pratfalls.

Murphy rules the universe – always has & always will.

Let’s not weaken our defences through thoughtless multi-tasking.

Best,

Pascal

Pascal Dennis Bio

Reprise: Less is More

By Pascal Dennis

Our dear readers may know my favorite proverb – which applies in management, art and science.

Here’s a fine HBR piece on how “less is more” applies in life.

Tough to do for us hyper-active, Type A, multi-tasking bozos, but we have to try.

And you know, it’s getting easier, and I’m just as productive.

My checkpoint is my family. “How am I doing, kids?”

“You’re doing better, Dad!”

“How am I doing Pamela, my dear?”

“You’re doing better, although you’re still a pain…”

Not exactly a rave, but I’ll take it.

Best regards,

Pascal

Pascal Dennis Bio

Can Knowledge Workers Learn from Manufacturing?

By Pascal Dennis

Splendid piece in HBR recently.

Jordan Cohen, a knowledge worker, reflects on his dad's clothing factory, where he learned visual management, standardized work, flow & pull.

He reflects that all the lessons apply in knowledge work.

Reminds me of The Imperial Grill, my dad's joint on Queen Street East in Toronto, where I learned the fundamentals.

The Imperial Grill & crew -- Dad, Mama, Uncles Angie & Louie et al -- live on in my heart & books.

I believe in apprenticeship in all its forms. Coop placements, for example, are a splendid way to teach kids the fundamentals.

(Only a few of us are lucky enough to grow up in a business.)

I used to complain when I was a kid. "Why do I have to work in the restaurant?"

I now realize it was one of my best schools. It gave me rich stories & experiences.

I apply its lessons every day in Design, Engineering, HR, Finance and the like.

The basics are the basics. We just have to translate them.

Jordan Cohen's piece does a fine job doing so.

Best,

Pascal