Managing Constraints in Knowledge Work

20/06/2025 20 min Temporada 1 Episodio 37
Managing Constraints in Knowledge Work

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode of Process Debt, Chris and Toby explore one of the most overlooked issues in modern business: the invisible constraints that shape our work as knowledge workers. Unlike physical jobs, where constraints are visible and immediate—think long lines or broken machinery—knowledge work is plagued by hidden bottlenecks, shifting priorities, and the chaos of constant context switching.Together, they explore:Why visibility matters—and how invisibility in knowledge work kills productivityHow post-COVID workplace structures misread productivity signalsThe cost of endless communication and the myth of “inbox zero”Context switching and the surprising stat that it takes 24 minutes to refocusWhat managers and ICs can do to reduce friction: tracking blocks, guarding time, clarifying prioritiesWhy “planning at 100%” is a recipe for burnoutLessons from Drucker, Cal Newport, and some real-life team fails (and recoveries)This episode is a conversation about how we work, why we get stuck, and what we can do—individually and as leaders—to make invisible constraints visible and manageable.