Why Flow Matters for Executives
Flow, In the Zone, Optimal Performance: It all refers to the state of heightened aptitude that facilitates you being your best.
Top executives, business owners, professional athletes, celebrities, and politicians all have teams that help hone natural aptitudes and learned skills. On top of that, their support systems hold them accountable for achieving their best. Simply put, the best of the best don’t reach the top alone.
You may have heard the term “runner’s high” or hear an athlete say they were "in the zone” when significantly outperforming standard expectations. These phrases describe a neurochemically induced state of consciousness known as “flow.”With its roots in positive psychology, flow establishes a five-fold increase in productivity, not to mention a seven-fold increase in innovation and creativity. Additionally, when successful, it can reduce burnout to ZERO! And best of all, it’s available to anyone.
So why are we stressing the importance of flow for executives and leaders within businesses and organizations?
How You Lead Informs the Results you Get
It is the duty of executives and managers to utilize their leadership skills to set up employees for success and achieve their best possible performance. Unfortunately, the majority of workplaces in the United States are not set up for employees to flourish and reach high potential. Imagine having the ability to create a work environment where your employees are 22% more productive.Doing so is made possible by just allowing flow to thrive in your work environment. When flow is present, it helps reduce stress and allows people to work to their maximum intellectual capacity. It also aids employees in avoiding unproductive interruptions and disillusionment.
Flow is paramount in helping create a deep level of productivity and creating an overall “more enjoyable and happier life.”- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Productivity is not the end, it's a by-product
While productivity is a vital factor in a successful workplace and in life, it is not the only byproduct of flow. In fact, productivity is a positive result from flow but not a direct outcome. That’s right, the main outcome from cultivating flow is that everything you do becomes more enjoyable. Happiness is the ultimate outcome of flow. The resulting increase in productivity is due to the enjoyment of what you are doing. When your employees are in a state of flow, they are happier and more productive. When a person is happy, there are no distractions or dissatisfaction. Happy employees are loyal, invested, and productive employees.
Teams in Flow make Leaders Better
Executives need to focus on keeping the business running. Their employees are the means by which they do so. This is why we emphasize the importance of keeping the conditions for flow available and supported in your work environment. Because when you achieve flow, happiness is increased, productivity is optimized, and profitability is achieved.
Go from status quo to Status Flow.
