At Acceleration Partners, we put tremendous value on outcomes for our clients and our business. This is why one of our operating principals is “Work Smarter.” Here is how we define it:

“Excellence is about knowing what to do and what not to do, and finding the 80/20. We are measured by our results and our outcomes (our performance), not our inputs or time. Urgent and important are not always the same and we strive to know the difference and remain focused on outcomes.”

Yahoo CEO, Marissa Meyer has come under intense scrutiny lately for her comments about 130-hour work weeks and how she can determine the potential success of a start-up by who is there on the weekend. Meyer also made headlines a few years back for setting up a nursery at her office so that she could go right back to work after having her first child.

While I am all for working hard, I believe it’s better to work smart and be outcome-oriented. We are reaching a crisis point in the US workplace where inputs, not outcomes, are being rewarded.  Companies are celebrating individuals who put in the facetime; who login in late and work from vacation.

Think about the lawyer working at 1:00 am when their cognitive ability is severely diminished, all while billing their clients $750 an hour. Studies have clearly shown that performance and health diminishes considerably beyond 55 hours a week, especially when stress or exhaustion is present. People also need quiet time to think and be creative.

Not only is” work longer, not smarter” mentality unhealthy for the individual, it sets the foundation for a company culture that values how much time is put in as opposed to what is getting accomplished. Contrast this with the famous Netflix Culture deck, authored by culture czar, Patti McCord. It reflects why Netflix has been one of the top performing companies of the past ten years, is able to continually innovate and pivot its businesses model ahead of the market.

Their secret?  Hint: it doesn’t involve a 130-hour work week. Here’s a snippet from Netflix’s culture deck:

As they demonstrate, what matters to Netflix is results. As leaders, if you value the people who put in long hours but don’t necessary produce the best results, then you’ll reap what you sow. If you want better outcomes and results from your team, then you must recognize and reward those who work smart.

Have a great weekend!