Multi-tasking as a skill set has fallen out of favor with the higher echelon of HR Gurus. Suddenly with all the Zen teachings floating around we have figured it out that the human brain is not wired for multi-tasking, hence all activities done in this mode may not contribute positively to the final goal.
Obviously what’s good for the CPU is not good for humans.
Creativity is supposed to be at its maximum when we are immersed into something to such an extent that nothing else can interrupt us. We must be totally aware of the situation, of the act, and every moment of that act to ensure flow of creativity.
But, CEOs/Managers all over the world have at least a dozen threads running every moment, and they are expected to respond to any situation in minimum possible time whereas take a trip to any of the Sarkari offices or facility counters- the babus/clerks across the table are ‘Vedanti’ in their approach to work, they remain totally engrossed in their work like stamping, putting glue, making an entry into the register, sipping tea, reading newspaper, talking back home or any other such great activity which has the potential of changing the world order, but the fact remains that you just can’t get their attention unless they are finished with what they are doing. You feel like crying out – For heavens sake why can’t you multi-task a little?
So now that we know who is the most creative person in the hierarchy there is another controversial issue I’d like to discuss. Some years back it was found that women are better managers because they can multi-task.
Any update on that?
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3 comments:
Thinking aloud:
Does multi-task mean doing 2 or more 'different' things - that are critically important - at the 'same' time or the ability to handle pressure from multiple directions (personal/professional) on a given day....or does it simply mean the ability to jump from one task to another and do a good quality job of each task (the tasks being related to different things - example: cook, clean, write, solve, keep in touch with a friend...etc). I am not yet done....still thinking....I'd earlier pondered over this topic of multi-tasking on my blog but had not concluded anything. It was simply a thought triggered by a passage from a spiritual book. But one thing is for sure....multi-tasking is related to our brain's capacity...and it reflects on our stress levels.
I am sure you must have extended your thoughts on this one....go ahead....tell us more! :-)
Hi Nimmy,
Sorry for the delay. Didn't check-in for the last few days.
In computers multi-tasking means running threads for multiple tasks and giving them resources in very brief intervals so that the user does not experience any lag.
Multi-tasking in humans is the ability to perform more than one task simultaneously and the time interval should be less than few minutes. This is typically done by the smarter sex when they are cooking, taking a call from a friend, and telling the kid that 9 X 6= 54. Now all this is done almost simultaneously with very little gap between the activities.
Jobs well done within a gap of few hours don't qualify as multi-tasking in the true sense rather this would qualify more as a capacity to handle multiple skill sets with equal dexterity. I could have taken this as a definition for multi-tasking for humans only if the fairer sex didn't have the capacity to emulate computers.
This i think answers your query. To expand it further.
First of all there's nothing good or bad about it, it's an ability which is more prominent in some individuals, species, and sexes within the species. When we are using this word we must be sure about the type of output we are expecting from an individual. If I’m the Chairman i wouldn't want my CEO to multi-task in the conventional sense, he should be utilizing his energy towards more strategic and visionary work which can't be done if you are handling too many interrupts, but for a Project-Manager it's ok because he is required to juggle many resources simultaneously. The functional guys needn't have great multi-tasking skills whereas those in operations again should have the capacity to multi-task.
Continuing this further, even down the line a counter clerk, assistants in retail marts, receptionists should be able to multi-task whereas it's not that important for an assembly line production guy. Every resume has multi-tasking stamped on it, but it's the job of an HR to identify whether it's required for the job or not.
The Spiritual Side
Consistent single-mindedness towards tasks and absolute awareness prepares us for a higher plane. True, but is the reverse applicable- no. Multi-tasking performed on an everyday basis is just a response to the situation at hand, and it has no bearing to your spiritual growth.
On the contrary 360 degree awareness towards the job at hand and of all subsequent jobs is the thing to aim for. The big idea is to handle the interrupts as extension of the flow and then pop in and out into situations as if this was all that you were doing.
What would this effort require? Well- Extreme objectivity and detachment from results.
I wouldn’t have suggested this if it had not been propagated that we use only one-tenth of our brain for our existence.
Time to think about the next step in evolution.
Thanks for that update, Rakesh. Contributes to my thoughts....The only thing I am still thinking about is your statement - "The big idea is to handle the interrupts as extension of the flow and then pop in and out into situations as if this was all that you were doing." - Easier said than done for a person like me... :-) I am usually not satisfied when I am not focusing on one task and thinking about other tasks and also getting annoyed by interruptions. There is a certain peace of mind in concentrating on the *present continuous*...whatever that means...!! :-)
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