This article was first published in the February edition of People Matters Perspectives.

Your mindset matters—not just in life, but in the workplace too. You cannot show up every day with a fogged mind and expect to create something meaningful. Sure, chaos might spark a rare breakthrough, but real, sustainable productivity? That comes from clarity. When your mind is free from unnecessary pressures, creativity flows—sometimes saving hours of hard work. And what makes that possible? A trusting environment, leadership that values ideas, the freedom to speak up—and most importantly, no micromanagement.

In 2025, performance isn’t about how many hours you log in. We have technology that can track every minute spent in the office—even coffee breaks! But let’s be real—does that define actual productivity? I don’t think so. True productivity isn’t confined to office hours. It starts before the workday and often stretches beyond it.

So what does productivity really mean? It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what truly matters in the most effective way. It’s about making an impact, not just checking tasks off a list. Someone spending fewer hours in the office but using their time to build relationships, study market trends, analyse competition, and think ahead—they’re productive too.

And now, with remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, this shift is more evident than ever. Employees who no longer waste hours commuting are using that time to create, strategise, and grow in ways that don’t fit neatly into a timesheet. But when performance review season comes around, recognizing this kind of productivity is still a challenge.

That’s why HR needs to rethink performance metrics. It’s time to move beyond tracking hours and start measuring what really matters—impact, creativity, and meaningful contributions in the modern workplace.

Adam Grant recently shared, “Remote work doesn't thwart productivity. It boosts focus."

"Data: Government workers are 12% more productive when randomly assigned to work from home. They're more efficient where it's quiet. Most people aren't shirking from home. They're escaping distractions and long commutes.”

A thought that resonates with many. It reinforces how self-driven employees can achieve their goals more efficiently, in less time—when given the right environment.

But is this approach equally effective for all employees? That’s something worth exploring. Can fewer work hours still sustain productivity?

A perfect real-world example of prioritising true productivity over strict logged-in hours can be found this very month, in countries that celebrate Ramadan—a month that celebrates flexibility, collaboration, and resilience. During this time, employees work reduced hours while businesses continue to thrive. How? Through smart planning, flexible work models, and a focus on well-being. Employees get adequate rest and time for prayers, yet business operations remain intact—proving that real productivity isn’t about clocking in more hours, but about working smarter.

And there’s something important to keep in mind:

• Busyness ≠ Productivity
• More work ≠ Better quality
• Hitting targets ≠ True productivity or mindful work
• Burnout isn’t just caused by workload—it’s often poor work design
• Maximum productivity isn’t the goal—smart delegation, the right tools, and better resources matter more

Performance management in 2025 is no longer about tracking logged-in hours—it’s about fostering a truly productive mindset. Realising that real impact, creativity, and problem-solving matter far more than just time spent at a desk. And a productive mindset isn’t about being busy or just looking busy—it’s about doing meaningful work, thinking strategically, and ensuring sustainable performance.

So, if your employees aren’t always hitting their work-hour targets, ask yourself: Does that really matter? Or is the real goal their growth, impact, and long-term success—for both themselves and the business?

Did you enjoy this article? People Matters Perspectives is the official LinkedIn newsletter of People Matters, bringing you exclusive insights from the People and Work space across four regions and more. Read the January and February 2025 editions here, and keep an eye out for the March edition coming this Friday, 28 March.