Working hard or hardly working? - Compared to what?

We all know people that we know work hard. We all know people who hardly work. We all have some internal standard that tells us which is which. What is that standard? Where does it come from?

We are mainly knowledge workers. Our tools are words, paper, phones, faxes and computers. It's hard to break a sweat. Office ergonomics aside, it's not physical work. It's mental. We tend to think of people who do heavy physical labor as hard working. What are the standards to determine how hard a knowledge worker works?

Is it time engaged in work related activity? What is a reasonable expectation of a knowledge worker? An assembly line worker must be engaged 100% of the time. A firefighter has periods of downtime between periods of intense activity. What percentage of our time is spent in work related activity. Some of us spend nearly 100%, some, honestly, less than 50%. Some come early and stay late and some do the opposite. Where do you fall on the continuum?

Is it quantity of work, product produced? Is more always better? How about quality? What is the correct quantity/quality balance? Some people should slow down and do better work, some should not be so picky and do more. But what is the standard for making that determination?

Developing these standards is an art and a science. It is what management is about, management, not leadership. Performance data-based management is making it's way into government. But we all know the enormous obstacles facing such an endeavor. It is what really needs to be done if we are ever to "increase productivity and cut waste," the mantra of the politician and taxpayer. But bureaucratic managers can never take such a bold step on their own.

Implementing change like that takes leadership. Leadership from the top down and leadership from the bottom up. Leaders who believe we can and should work harder and smarter. Leaders who believe people should find satisfaction and pride in their work. Leaders who believe that people can actually enjoy work.

I've said before that I feel leadership occurs at all levels of employment, it is not just for supervisors and managers. We all take a part in the process of leadership.

As for me, I'm going to take a look at how hard I work and see where there could be improvement. Time on task? Quantity? Quality?

Care to join me?