Ashish KothariMake flourishing your competitive edge

Productivity hacks are killing your best employees (here's what actually works)

9 Sept 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:34

In this presentation, Ashish Kothari argues that popular productivity hacks often backfire, eroding employee engagement and performance. He contends that true productivity stems not from quick‑fix tactics but from deliberately crafted "containers"—the relational and physical spaces that enable people to be authentic, focused, and connected. By intentionally designing supportive relationships, clear expectations, and environments that signal belonging, organizations can foster flourishing, allowing employees to show up as their whole selves, sustain deep focus, and build meaningful connections. The talk critiques superficial solutions, outlines the principles of effective container design, and offers practical steps for leaders to shift from hack‑centric mindsets to sustainable, people‑first productivity strategies.

Chapters

So there's all those things we have to think through, that we don't just slap things together and just hope that magic happens, that we have to actually be intentional about creating the right containers for things to happen. And that's what really creates flourishing, is that people feel like they're supported in every moment by the right containers of relationships, of the ability to show up as themselves, but also to know that the spaces that have been created are meant for them to show up and bring their presence. They can focus and they can connect.