Workplace Focus

Something I've been noodling on...I think knowledge work can broadly be distilled to the generation of ideas that convert into value. And at an atomic level, that looks like the creation, transformation, and dissemination of tokens: novel and valuable units of thought produced (as of today, primarily) by human collective effort. Over the weekend I was working with Claude Code and realized that in a single day I generated about 800,000 tokens. By comparison, in a normal workday, without AI, I probably generate 7,000 tokens through Slack, meetings, docs, and email, and consume about 12,000. One AI-assisted day created 40x more tokens than normal. The problem has always been that most work output never converts into value for the company or the customer. Docs that do not get read. Prototypes that collect dust. Reports no one checks. Recordings no one replays. Now it is easier than ever to generate tokens with AI. The volume of output explodes, but without alignment and context, the conversion rate to actual value will continue to drop. It's a classic tragedy of the commons. Every tool is incentivized to drive token count up. Slack sends more notifications to pull you back in. Reporting tools generate more views to keep you engaged. Every person is incentivized to produce more tokens to show progress. Supply grows, focus does not. But we have very real and finite intake limits. Human capacity to absorb tokens is flat while supply explodes. Without the help of AI summarization and similar tools, our ability to process tokens does not increase. AI can help compress intake, but it also multiplies output — so without system-level design, the gap only widens. Dropping value yield per token generated. Only a small fraction of tokens create leverage for the team. Most are exhaust. This is where context becomes critical. LLMs are only as good as the context they have. Individuals operate with narrow context windows. Organizations hold vast repositories of past, present, and future tokens. Without systems to shape and share that context, the conversion rate of tokens to value stays low. The challenge (and the opportunity) is organizational design. How do you maximize the value of all tokens toward end outcomes: customer impact, dollars, better decisions? How do you route and align tokens so both people and AI agents can operate with shared, high-leverage context? This is the token economy problem. And solving it may be the most important management challenge of the AI era. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Canva partnered with Harvard Business Review Analytic Services on a new research project, and the results underscore the profound impact of #creativity on business success: 94% of survey respondents agree that organisations that invest in creative tools and technology will be more successful in the future. This major consensus shows that recognising and applying creativity helps drive sustainable growth. Here are a few other interesting findings: 🏆 Leaders who successfully leverage creativity are more likely (41%) to encourage innovative thinking by rewarding employees for taking risks and thinking outside the box, compared to their somewhat successful (17%) or unsuccessful (8%) counterparts. ✨ Nearly half (47%) of successful organizations are using generative AI to foster creativity, compared to somewhat successful (30%) and unsuccessful (14%) organizations. 🎨 42% of successful leaders believe #generativeAI can greatly enhance creativity by automating repetitive tasks (63%), accelerating idea generation (60%), and augmenting human creativity with new information and ideas (53%). I’ve spoken at length about how AI’s primary role will be to bring more creativity into workplaces, and this report underscores why that’s so important. Creativity can drive growth and make businesses more adaptable, something that’s invaluable in this day and age. Check out our full report here: https://lnkd.in/gqPjE5Sj

Microsoft's 2025 Work Trend Index just revealed a tough truth: knowledge workers are interrupted every 2 minutes during core work hours. That adds up to 275 interruptions per day from meetings, emails, and chats. The result? Chaos. ▪️ 60% of meetings are called on the fly. ▪️ Last-minute PowerPoint edits spike 122% in the 10 minutes before a meeting (!!) ▪️ After-hours messages are up 15% year over year with the average worker receiving 58 messages outside 9–5. Nearly half of employees (48%) say their work feels fragmented. (Cue: zero surprise!) The reality is that we’ve built workplaces that block the very thing we need most: deep, focused thinking. Every ping and “quick question” chips away at cognitive capacity. The companies that will win aren’t the ones with the most meetings. They’re the ones that protect uninterrupted time because innovation happens between interruptions, not during them. Forward-thinking leaders are already making moves: ▪️ Creating focus blocks where interruptions are off-limits ▪️ Setting communication norms that respect deep work ▪️ Asking, “Does this really need to be a meeting?” As one executive put it: “We realized we were managing calendars, not minds.” The most valuable real estate in business isn’t space – it’s time. Uninterrupted 😉 📚 Read more: https://hubs.la/Q03Fglz_0

Future-Proofing Your #Career in 2025 As we step into 2025, the Malaysian workforce continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. #Job changes, career pivots, and reskilling have become the norm rather than the exception. Whether you're considering a new role, exploring different industries, or simply future-proofing your career, staying one step ahead is no longer optional. it’s essential. A must. Here are 5 #keytrends to look out for and how you can prepare: 📌#Digital and #AI Proficiency 🧠 AI and automation are transforming industries. Equip yourself with digital literacy and AI-related skills, even if you’re not in tech roles. Understanding tools like ChatGPT, data analytics, and cybersecurity will set you apart. 📌Adaptability and Agility 🔄 Flexibility and the ability to pivot quickly are critical. Employers value professionals who can #navigate change and innovate solutions in uncertain times. 📌Sustainability and ESG Knowledge 🌱 With #ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) taking center stage, being informed about sustainability practices and CSR strategies will boost your credibility, especially in leadership roles. 📌#SoftSkills Still Rule 🤝 ( my favorite) Communication, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving remain invaluable. Companies are looking for leaders who can engage and inspire teams while managing stakeholders effectively. 📌Personal Branding and Networking 🌐( my other favourite) Build a strong #personalbrand on platforms like LinkedIn. Your online presence speaks volumes, share insights, highlight achievements, and connect with thought leaders to stay visible and relevant. Remember : The job market in 2025 will demand #resilience, continuous learning, and purpose-driven #leadership. Whether you’re eyeing a new position or climbing the ladder, #invest in yourself. Upskill, stay informed, and align your values with your goals. What trends do you foresee shaping Malaysia’s workforce in 2025?

An interview isn’t small talk — it’s your chance to show impact. I recently spoke with a senior candidate who, in a 30 minute conversation, mentioned his spouse five times and shared a lot of details that had nothing to do with the role. While personal stories make you relatable, this isn’t the place to lead with them. What truly matters is: Can you frame your work in the context of the role that you next want? Can you connect past impact to future challenges? Can you land your story with clarity and focus? Too many people lose time on things that don’t move the needle. In an interview, every word counts. Your interview is your stage — keep the spotlight on the work that matters most.

𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬? Last week, during an Executive Presence retreat, I asked senior business leaders a simple question: 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ-𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠? Their responses were both insightful and practical. Here are the top five creative strategies they shared: 𝟏. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 One leader shared how he kicks off meetings with a fun question or a quick anecdote. It sets a positive tone and encourages open conversations. “When the room starts with joy,” he said, “we operate with more ease and confidence.” 𝟐. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 Another leader, managing a high-pressure team, introduced short ‘breather breaks’—just five minutes to step away from screens. “Without these pauses, stress builds up and erodes composure. Now, my team comes back sharper and more engaged.” 𝟑. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦 One CXO spoke about turning brainstorming into a game. “Instead of asking for solutions in a rigid format, I invite ridiculous ideas first. It removes fear, and surprisingly, the best solutions emerge from the most outrageous suggestions.” 𝟒. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞—𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 A senior leader reflected on how his internal mindset affects the team. “If they see me rushing from call to call, constantly stressed, they’ll mirror it. So I started blocking time for deep work and personal rejuvenation—and my team followed.” 𝟓. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 One business head shared how she acknowledges team members who bring presence and energy to the workplace. “A simple ‘Well done’ or a quick note of appreciation creates a culture of joy and motivation.” The biggest takeaway? Playfulness isn’t just about fun—it’s a leadership tool that enhances clarity, composure, and decision-making. When leaders embrace it, teams thrive. Which of these ideas resonates with you? Share your thoughts! #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #DecisionMaking #MindfulLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #PeakPerformance #StrategicThinking #CXOInsights #BusinessSuccess

Your meetings don't make you productive. Your back-to-back calls won't build great products. While scaling Caisy from 0 to enterprise clients, I discovered something powerful: Deep focus beats shallow productivity. Here are 6 traits that high-performing teams exhibit: 👁️ Protected focus time -> No meetings. No Slack. Just pure creation. 💪 Async-first culture -> Default to written updates over meetings. 💥 Clear priorities -> One main goal per week, not 10 scattered tasks. 🤲 Trust in outcomes -> Judge results, not hours worked. 🗣️ Strategic Silence -> Normalise quiet time for deep work. 🤝 Intentional collaboration -> Every meeting must have clear action items. Want to elevate your team's output? These 4 proven methods are your starting point: 1. Deep Work Blocks ↳ 90-minute focused sessions ↳ No distractions, no exceptions 2. Meeting Detox ↳ Cut meetings by 50% ↳ Replace with async updates 3. Energy Management ↳ Match complex tasks to peak hours ↳ Save admin work for low-energy times 4. Output Metrics ↳ Track impact, not activity ↳ Celebrate meaningful progress Your calendar isn't a magic wand. It won't make you productive if you're not intentional. Put these methods into action, and watch your team's creativity soar. Which method resonates most with you? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ #Productivity #Leadership #DeepWork

That meditation app won't fix your stress. Science says this ancient practice will. Hard truth: Corporate stress costs businesses $300 billion annually. But here's what research reveals: Art does more than create pretty pictures - it rewires your brain. Stanford researchers found: • 45 minutes of art reduces stress hormones more than meditation • Companies with art programs report 37% higher innovation rates • Teams exposed to art solve problems 56% faster Think art is just for artists? Top companies disagree: • Goldman Sachs hired more art graduates than MBAs last quarter • Google's most innovative teams are led by people with art backgrounds • Microsoft's new offices prioritize art spaces over meeting rooms Why? Because art creates: 1. Better Problem-Solving Studies show art engagement increases neural connectivity in ways no other activity can match 2. Stronger Mental Health Just 45 minutes of creative activity significantly reduces anxiety and improves focus 3. Innovation Boost Companies integrating art report 25% better staff retention and higher creative output 4. Enhanced Leadership Art training develops critical skills: • Multiple perspective thinking • Comfort with ambiguity • Non-linear problem solving The corporate world is catching on: IKEA transformed their workplace with art installations, leading to: • 32% increase in employee satisfaction • 28% boost in productivity • 45% better team collaboration But here's what most miss: Art isn't about being good at drawing. It's about training your brain to: • See problems differently • Find unique solutions • Build resilience through iteration Your competition is already using this advantage. Are you? When was the last time you made something with your hands? P.S. If this made you rethink art's role in business, share it with a leader who needs this perspective.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve hired over a hundred folks across a dozen different roles and departments. My style of taking the interview remains the same: Probe and find out the specifics. Candidate says, “I increased revenue by 30%.” What exactly did you do? “I ran ads for the company.” What exactly did you do? “I uploaded the creatives and let Meta’s AI optimize the audience.” Did you come up with the angle? “No, that was the creative team.” Did you write the copy? “No, that came from our content writer.” Did you identify the audience or pain points? “No, I used the default targeting.” So what you really did… was click "publish." That’s not strategy. That’s not ownership. That’s not driving business impact. This is why details matter. On paper, achievements sound impressive. But when you peel the layers, you often find a very different story. Companies aren’t looking for buzzwords. We’re looking for thinkers. Builders. People who understand the why, not just the how. If you're job hunting right now, here’s a tip: Don’t inflate. Clarify. Own your piece of the puzzle — and explain how you solved it better than anyone else. That’s what gets remembered.

A mid-career mentee told me recently, “Our team is always exhausted, but somehow the company still thinks we’re not doing enough.” I asked him one question: “Is everyone busy… or effective?” He went quiet. Because the truth was obvious they weren’t working smart, they were surviving chaos. This is the illness most companies don’t want to diagnose: Leaders create busy teams when they don’t know how to prioritize. Here’s how it shows up: 🔻 Everything is “urgent” 🔻 Every meeting feels critical 🔻 Every request is last-minute 🔻 Every problem is escalated 🔻 Every deadline is yesterday People are not busy because they’re productive. They’re busy because no one at the top knows how to say: “This matters. This doesn’t. This can wait.” The worst part? Busy teams look impressive from a distance. Emails at midnight. Calls on weekends. Slack messages at 11:47 PM. Leaders confuse burnout with commitment. And then wonder why performance collapses without warning. You think you’re leading high performers. In reality, you’re managing people who are one bad week away from quitting. Here’s what I tell leaders: Productivity isn’t measured by how drained your team looks. It’s measured by how consistently they deliver without losing themselves. If your team is always at capacity, they’re not performing they’re compensating for poor leadership decisions. 💬 Have you ever worked in a company where chaos was treated like culture? How long did you last? #LeadershipTruths #WorkplaceCulture #Productivity #TeamDynamics #MentorshipMatters #OrganizationalHealth