Work Archives

The 3 Building Blocks of Kanban’s Continuous Improvement

How can you constantly improve yourself and your work habits? How is continuous improvement part of the kanban system? In kanban, continuous improvement is at the core of the workflow system. The way you achieve it is by observing your work, asking questions, and trying out new ways of doing things. It’s important to take some time to step back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished so you can continue moving forward. Let’s look at three ways to embed continuous self-improvement into your personal kanban practice.

Are Poor People Lazy? Examining Poverty & Work Ethic

Are poor people lazy? What did the Covid-19 experience teach us about poverty and work ethic? When politicians try to figure out why people become poor and stay poor, they often point to a lack of work ethic. Social scientist Matthew Desmond pushes back on this idea, pointing to data gathered during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading to learn what Desmond discovered.

Emergent Intelligence: What We Can Learn From Amazon

What does emergent intelligence mean? How does emergent intelligence make Amazon more successful? Emergent intelligence is the concept of a team solving problems together without a central figure coordinating the project. Knowing how emergent intelligence works can grow your organization’s strengths. Learn how Amazon used the concept of emergent intelligence to its advantage.

Grace Beverley’s Working Hard, Hardly Working: Book Overview

Are productivity and self-care opposites? Do you have to choose between the two, or can you enjoy both? The word “productivity” typically doesn’t bring to mind self-care behaviors such as sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely meal with friends. But, Grace Beverley’s Working Hard, Hardly Working insists that self-care and productivity aren’t opposites—they actually require each other. Continue reading for an overview of this book that might inspire you to reset your lifestyle.

What Causes Burnout at Work? 3 Cultural Realities to Blame

Do you feel like you want to retire, but you’re only 30? Is work a nonstop reality in your life? Grace Beverley addresses today’s epidemic of burnout in her book Working Hard, Hardly Working. She points to three realities behind it: our culture of overwork, continuous access to technology, and economic uncertainty. Read more to learn what causes burnout at work in today’s world.

The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork According to John Maxwell

What are the key points in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork? What does John C. Maxwell have to say about leading and working in a team? The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork describes a winning team as one where people are in roles suited for them and have a shared identity and common goal. By looking at each piece of Maxwell’s advice, you can learn how to put together a team that works. Here is an overview of The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork with analysis.

Solutions to Poverty in the United States: 4 Empowerment Strategies

How can taxation be leveraged to empower the poor? What practical action can any American take to fight poverty? To truly alleviate poverty, it’s essential to go beyond providing financial assistance, although that’s undeniably important. Matthew Desmond argues that, to eradicate poverty, we need to empower the poor, granting them economic and political agency to shape their economic futures. Keep reading to learn Desmond’s proposed solutions to poverty in the United States.

How to Be Creative at Work: Warm Up With “Creative Triggers”

How original is the work you do? How is its value (and your enjoyment) related to its originality? In Working Hard, Hardly Working, entrepreneur and influencer Grace Beverley shares recommendations on how to be creative at work. She contends that the originality you infuse into your work will make it more valuable—and it will make you more fulfilled. Continue reading for Beverley’s practical tips that you can start using today.

How to Enjoy Work: 3 Ways to Turn Drudgery Into Delight

Does work drain you or energize you? Do you look forward to starting your work day, or do you dread it? If all of your enjoyable moments in your day are outside of work hours, Grace Beverley has some good news for you. She says that you don’t need to quit your job or find a new one to find satisfaction throughout your day; you can simply make your current work more enjoyable. Keep reading to discover how to enjoy work by following Beverley’s recommendations.

Flow State at Work: Where Productivity & Self-Care Meet

Do you ever lose track of time when you’re working? What type of tasks engross you? Grace Beverley brings productivity and self-care together in her book Working Hard, Hardly Working. She says that flow makes productivity a form of self-care because the feeling of being engrossed in a task is joyful and satisfying. Read more to learn why a flow state at work is beneficial and how to achieve it.