Productivity is one of the most talked-about goals in business — but are organizations measuring the right things?

In this episode of ExecutiveEDGE, Geert De Lombaerde talks with Paul Mattioli about the findings of a new Endeavor Business Intelligence survey conducted around World Productivity Day. The conversation goes beyond traditional productivity metrics to examine how employees define productive work, what's getting in their way and why organizational culture may be a bigger driver of performance than many leaders realize.


338 professionals participated, and the findings are clear. Tune in to hear a cross-level look at the gap between how productive we feel and how productive we actually are, covering personal performance, organizational strategy, economic pressure and the real state of AI adoption in the workplace. The results are candid, timely and built for the leaders who need to do something about it.

From shifting priorities and meeting overload to AI adoption and leadership alignment, this discussion offers a thoughtful look at what productivity means in today's workplace — and how executives can create environments where people do their best work.

What You'll Learn

- What employees say has the biggest impact on their productivity

- Why clarity and strategic alignment often matter more than activity

- How workplace culture influences performance and engagement

- The surprising role AI is (and isn't) playing in day-to-day productivity

- Why measuring productivity is more complex than simply tracking output

Why It Matters

As organizations look for ways to improve efficiency, many are investing in technology, tracking performance more closely or redesigning workflows. But this research suggests the biggest opportunities may lie elsewhere.

Productivity isn't just about getting more done — it's about creating the conditions that allow people to focus, collaborate effectively and contribute meaningful work. For leaders, that means balancing measurement with trust, direction and a shared understanding of success.