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We are all in the pursuit of peak performance and maximum productivity. As managers, we want our teams to feel energised, focused and produce high output. An extraordinary mental state, known as the flow state, holds the key to unlocking untapped potential and achieving exceptional levels of productivity, for ourselves and our teams.
Flow, a concept pioneered by positive psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, represents a state of complete immersion and deep engagement in an activity. In this state distractions fade away and one is completely absorbed in the task at hand. Flow brings clarity to our mind. People in flow experience deep focus, enjoyment, and a sense of being fully absorbed in the present moment. Who wouldn't want that in their teams and offices!
Here are 3 ways you can better your team's performance and output by creating an environment that fosters flow state within your team.
1. Matching a person’s tasks to their skill set.
The more challenging a task, the more skills are required by us to complete it and the more absorbed we become. If the task is too easy and we feels under-challenged, then we will become bored and disengaged and so our performance suffers.
2. Finding work that they love.
When we do 'good' work - or work that we're really passionate about, our energies are aligned. We are highly engaged in the tasks and it fits with our values, and gives us meaning. The sheer pleasure of the act motivates us.
3. Intentional focus & sharp attention
Getting into a highly concentrated state takes discipline. When we finally reach that state of strong concentration and a calm and focused energy, we are able to increase our attention span and ignore distractions.Strong focus can bring us into flow no matter the task at hand.
Not every team member will experience flow in the same way or at the same time. It is essential to be flexible and supportive as a manager and try different methods. Help minimize interruptions and distractions that can disrupt flow by limiting unnecessary meetings, implementing focused work periods, or providing dedicated quiet spaces for deep work. Encourage the use of productivity tools and open dialogue so team members can discuss their experiences, share strategies, and support one another in their pursuit of flow.
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