Starting a Workplace Revolution using the 80/20 Principle!

[Brenton Russell]

Hi all,

I recently read the book 'The 80/20 Principle' by Richard Koch and found it tremendously insightful. The book basically states that:

There is an inbuilt imbalance between causes and results, inputs and outputs, effort and reward. The 80/20 Principle asserts that a minority of causes, inputs or efforts usually lead to a majority of the results, outputs or rewards.

The book also states that most of what we do is low value, so instead it is far more effective to concentrate on what you do, rather than how you do it. Focus on the 'Vital Few' (the 20% that achieve 80% of the results) as opposed to the 'Trivial Many' (the other 80% that only achieve 20% of the results).

With this in mind I am going to start a workplace revolution by implementing some significantly culturally shifting leadership and management methods. You can read about them in my full post here which also has more of an explanation of the 80/20 Principle.

I would love to hear other people's thoughts on the 80/20 Principle and any success or techniques that you have had applying this. I would also love any suggestions on other things that I can do as part of my workplace revolution!

[Piercetheveil]

Koch rocks. The Natural Laws of Business rocks just as much
Amazon.com: The Natural Laws of Business: How to Harness the Power…

and start a revolution at work? If you are in a large corp it is easier to start your own or find somewhere smaller unless you are in top level management.

Tim Ferriss's book was loosely joined off of Pareto's Principle--four hour work week. Koch also had two other books involving the 80/20.

It rocked my world the year it came out. A decade later I am just feeling like I can apply it with quick and enormous results.

Oh, I have just about every paper and ordered most of the good books out of his bibliography section. (The ones he notated anyway). It was a well done piece of work.

The BIG life find for me which I am just now experiencing is what he had to say about romantic relationships and happiness.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Man,
I love this book and I see 80/20 everywhere. It's all around us.

-- even in these forums. 20% of the members do 80% of the posting.

at work, sadly, 20% make the other 80% look good....

and even in my daily activities only 20% of my total actually has anything to do with any "results". That's neither good or bad, ultimately, just a fun fact.

[Brenton Russell]

Its been two weeks since I wrote my original post and started my workplace revolution so I thought I would write a quick update.

My move to twice daily email checks with an autoresponder notifying people of this has proved to be less controversial than originally thought. My immediate boss hasn't even mentioned it and some of my colleagues have actually complimented me on it and are now considering implementing it themselves.

Isolating myself during my most resourceful period to concentrate on the Vital Few tasks has proved immensely effective. Not answering my desk phone during this time and screening my mobile phone has also been very effective. Interesting, very few unanswered desk phone calls have resulted in the caller thinking their issue important enough to call me on my mobile!

Ignoring the Trivial Many people has been less successful. Most aren't getting the hint from my ignoring their emails, texts, phone calls etc and continue to attempt to distract me from the Vital Few. I guess that's why they're the Trivial Many! If ignoring them continues to be ineffective, it might be time to become a little more blunt and forthright.

The positive feedback I have received so far from within the workplace suggests that it might just be a hotbed of potential revolutionaries needing a little encouragement!

You can read the full post of my update here.

@ Piercetheveil - thanks for the book recommendation. I will definitely check it out. I have also just finished ready Tim Ferriss' book and you can certainly see the 80/20 Principle threaded throughout it.

@ Excellent Lodestar - I think that you indirectly bring up an interesting point in that you can get too obsessed with productivity/effectiveness and start missing the whole point of life. Sometimes its useful just to do things without worrying about the results!

Its time to turn up the heat on my workplace revolution. I would love to hear some of your ideas for how I can do this!