How your culture is hurting the business and your co-workers

Welcome back, I’m glad you’re here.

Last week, I shared how our traditional perception of efficiency is actually making us less effective. Today, I’ll explain what I meant and why I believe it’s important to address this.

And in future newsletters, I’ll share practical tips to help you make meaningful changes.

But first, let’s get to the heart of the issue.

A fundamental leadership challenge

In our constant push for efficiency—doing more, running faster—we’ve created a work culture that’s hurting both people and business. Instead of making us more productive, it’s actually making us less so.

According to Gallup, an alarming 40% of the global workforce experiences high stress daily. In my experience, that number is likely even higher!

Through thousands of interviews combined with assessments, coaching, and workshops, I’ve seen the same issue play out repeatedly: leaders are practising a version of "efficiency" that leaves their teams less productive and more stressed.

What’s worse is that most people–leaders and employees–seem either unaware of the stress they’re carrying or fail to see how they contribute to inefficient “collaboration” and reduced productivity.

The problem isn’t efficiency itself—it’s the way it's being practised.

It not only impacts individual performance but also creates a dysfunctional organisation with silos, miscommunication, and disengaged teams, leading to higher employee turnover, lower productivity, and ultimately, declining business performance

My goal is to inspire a shift in how we approach efficiency, so we can create healthier work environments and cultivate effective collaboration, delivering sustainable success.

Why this matters to me

For starters, I believe that by lifting one another up, we all grow—and observing so much suffering in the workplace deeply conflicts with my values.

Secondly, research shows that when people thrive at work, businesses thrive as well. For example, Gallup has found that engaged business units see 17% higher productivity and 23% higher profitability.

So what’s causing the stress?

Like most leaders, I bet you’re under constant pressure to find new ways to improve efficiency. And like everyone else, you end up trying to do everything all at once by squeezing more and more into your schedule, running faster and faster, and stretching yourself thin.

But no matter how fast you go, your workload never seems to shrink, right?

The consequences of constant activity

Constantly being busy—jumping from one call to another, sneak-checking emails in back-to-back meetings, skipping lunch while juggling tasks with barely any time to support your team—overwhelms your brain, triggers your stress response, and lowers your cognitive abilities.

In this state, your decision-making and behaviour become reactive instead of composed, meaning you’re unconsciously on the defence. You disconnect from people, and collaboration weakens because you’re focused on what’s best for you rather than what’s best for the team. Creating an environment of mistrust where organisational growth stalls.

And you know what?

Your co-workers are no different—when they’re overwhelmed, they become reactive too.

What do you think happens to team productivity and business results when everyone is on the defence, focused more on themselves than on the team?

Turning things around

I won't be sharing any tips with you today—that starts next week.

I will leave you with this: just like your muscles need rest, your brain needs regular downtime to perform at its best.

Making brain health a priority and putting a 'psychologically safe' work culture on your agenda would be the smart business move. Not only will it improve individual well-being, but it’ll also more up-level teamwork, enhance productivity, and drive overall performance.

Leaders who invest in this transformation will see outcomes like increased employee engagement, improved retention, greater ability to attract talent, and stronger business results.

Next week

I’ll talk a bit on how stress can play out. And who knows, you might find yourself surprised…

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I’d love to connect with you! ?

Until next time!

Fabiola