#37 What Corporate America Gets Wrong About Productivity

In this episode of the Wholistic Productivity Podcast, Chris LeBrun kicks off a two-episode series exploring one of the biggest truths about work today: Much of corporate productivity still runs on systems built for a world that no longer exists.

This conversation isn’t a criticism of corporate America—it’s an honest look at why so many high-capacity people feel exhausted, unfocused, or frustrated despite working hard and caring deeply. And more importantly, what’s actually driving the disconnect.

Chris breaks down why the 40-hour workweek still dominates, why meeting overload and “always-on” culture undermine true productivity, and why time-based performance metrics fall short for modern knowledge workers. You’ll gain clarity, validation, and a more grounded understanding of how to work in healthy, human-centered ways—even inside systems that weren’t designed for today’s reality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why today’s workplaces still rely on 1938 industrial-era rules
• How “hours worked” became the default measure of value
• The hidden cost of meeting overload and proximity bias
• The difference between appearing productive and being productive
• What hybrid and remote work have revealed about how people actually perform
• How outcome-based metrics shift culture and results
• Why deep work and autonomy matter more than ever
• A practical awareness challenge to help you spot time-based traps this week

This episode helps you dream big, plan smart, and live fully by giving you a clearer lens to evaluate workplace expectations and reclaim how you approach your time and energy.

👉 Listen now to this opening episode in a two-part series on the Wholistic Productivity Podcast—and don’t miss next week’s follow-up exploring what productivity experts often misunderstand about the corporate world.

Show Links

Episode 13 - How Meetings and Email are Wasting Your Time (And What to Do About It) - https://wholisticproductivity.com/37

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
05:08 Historical Context of Productivity Systems
08:46 The Impact of Technology on Work Culture
12:36 The Illusion of Productivity Theater
16:02 Rethinking Work Models for Modern Needs
20:18 Empowering Employees for Greater Output

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