A study of one million people, by edtech company Headway, showed that productivity is most people’s number one priority in life. However British businesses are struggling as productivity continues to decline. As part of a panel for the Salesforce World Tour in London, our Innovation & Strategy Director, Dr Alexandra Dobra-Kiel shared her insights on how ensuring psychological safety at work can help solve the productivity puzzle.
The Salesforce World Tour London event, which took place on June 29th, is an annual event that brings together business professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders worldwide to discuss the latest trends and innovations. It offers attendees the chance to gain insights on the latest trends in customer relationship management and digital transformation, learning from inspiring conversations around today’s top business challenges.
Can AI solve the productivity puzzle?
Sponsored by Slack, Dr Alexandra Dobra-Kiel joined a panel alongside industry experts in the future of work:
- Chris Mills, Slack – Expert. Head of Customer Success for EMEA for Slack
- Dr Alexandra Dobra-Kiel, Behave – Expert. Innovation & Strategy Director at Behave
- Tom Bennett, Checkout – Expert. Senior Director, Workplace Technology at Checkout
- SanjBhayro, Asana – Expert. GM of EMEA at Asana
Moderated by Director of Communications for EMEA for Slack, Sam Grace, panelists came together to discuss the state of productivity, what businesses can do to help boost productivity, and whether AI is the solution to the productivity conundrum.
Technology, and generative AI has the potential to be transformative, however data from Slack’s State of Work study suggests while almost half of UK respondents (2,000 people) believe using AI will boost productivity, just 21% of UK companies are investing in technology to drive productivity.
On this point, Dr Alexandra stated “AI is redefining how we work. But we have to build work cultures underpinned by psychological safety”. In doing this employees will “use AI to their advantage, instead of worrying that AI will replace them.”
Embedding psychological safety at work to promote productivity
By ensuring psychological safety in the workplace, Dr Alexandra argued that employees are able to be “humble and vulnerable about their weaknesses and strengths”. This way businesses can train and upskill employees; showing them how to use AI to support productivity by freeing them to focus on the work that matters most.
In the simplest terms, productivity is about inputs and outputs. As far as the inputs are concerned, Dr Alexandra identifies that we should consider how employees can become more efficient. And as far as the outputs are concerned, she states that we should consider how employees – and companies – can contribute to prosperity, which brings a “collective” dimension to productivity and helps bridge short-term objectives with long-term objectives.
Alexandra went on to say that she wouldn’t view AI as being this assertive, competitive force against humans“, it’s a tool that can drive proficiency and one we are generally more keen to use.
For more information on how you can create psychological safety at work to help engage employees and boost productivity contact us today.
