Employee Productivity Post from upStart HR
This is a great posting from Ben Eubanks from upstartHR that summarizes some research on a manager’s impact on employee productivity. Be sure to click the links at the end of the post to see the original source of the info and the YouTube video.
At the beginning of a new year, there is a natural pull toward momentum. Fresh calendars, renewed energy, and the promise of progress invite us to jump straight into action. But at Horizon Point Consulting, we believe sustainable success starts with intention—not urgency. Starting the year right means slowing down just enough to be thoughtful, focused, and aligned.
Here is a simple, disciplined approach we often recommend to individuals and organizations alike. And you need to write this all down! Don’t just do it in your head. Reflection becomes far more powerful when it moves from your head to paper.
Before you plan what’s next, take time to reflect on what has been. Two ways to do this are through documenting:
Highs and Lows
Begin by capturing the highs from the past year. What worked? Where did you feel proud, energized, or successful? These moments often reveal strengths and strategies worth repeating.
Then, honestly document the lows. What felt heavy, frustrating, or misaligned? Where did you lose energy or momentum? Naming these experiences helps you learn from them rather than carry them forward unconsciously.
Next, organize your reflection into three simple categories:
This exercise brings clarity and creates a strong foundation for meaningful change.
Mel Robbin’s Best Year Workbook highlights a reflection on both of these things and may help you get these reflections down on paper.
We also like Emily Freeman’s 10 Questions for Reflection and Discernment
Reflection without planning rarely leads to results. Once you’ve identified what matters most, it’s time to plan.
The key here is specificity. Good intentions become real commitments when they are scheduled. Block time for priorities, not just tasks. And understand your natural rhythms to know when the best time is to do what type of activities. We outline how to do a time audit and other important “when” topics here. Whether it’s strategic thinking, personal development, health, or connection, if it matters—it deserves space on your calendar.
You also may want to check out Cal Newport’s planner and podcast for more insights on purposeful planning for “deep work” and “slow productivity.”
And then, the harder part: stick to it. Treat these commitments with the same respect you give meetings and deadlines. Consistency is where progress compounds.
Starting the year right doesn’t mean doing more. In fact, it often means doing less—on purpose.
We simplify at HPC by selecting a theme for the year. Here are some of our previous themes:
Ironically enough, our theme for 2026 HPC is “Simplicity.”
Look at your commitments, goals, and routines and ask: What can be simplified? Where can you reduce complexity, eliminate distractions, or streamline processes? We will be working through all of these things this year at HPC.
We are starting off this year simplifying our blog and newsletters. Blogs will be released once a month, not once a week, along with a newsletter. Often, less is more.
Simplicity creates focus and it takes intention. We are focusing on this in 2026.
Goals grow stronger when they are shared. Whether it’s with a colleague, a team, a coach, or a trusted friend, articulating your intentions out loud builds accountability and clarity.
Sharing also invites support. You don’t have to carry the year alone—and you shouldn’t.
In fact, with our Doer2Leader (D2L) leadership training, everyone picks an accountability partner so they are sharing their goals and sharing their progress throughout the six month program.
We have three groups starting this month and have a spot or two left for more- email us to set up a call to talk about your need!
Finally, remember that the year is not a straight line. Starting strong matters, but recalibrating regularly matters more. Every year will no doubt require pivots.
Build in moments—monthly or quarterly (we like to do it quarterly)—to revisit your reflections, plans, and priorities. Ask what’s working, what’s shifting, and what needs adjustment. Calibration keeps you aligned as conditions change.
Starting the new year right isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about clarity, intention, and disciplined follow-through. When you reflect honestly, plan deliberately, simplify courageously, share openly, and calibrate regularly, you create a year that is not just busy—but meaningful.
At Horizon Point, our work begins and ends with people. That’s why our Meet the Team series is all about sharing the stories behind the faces who bring our mission to life. This week, we’re proud to spotlight our founder and CEO, Mary Ila Ward. [Full video at the end of this blog and on our YouTube Channel.]
If you caught her keynote last week at the Southern Automotive Conference, you already know that Mary Ila’s energy is contagious. Her message about driving the workforce forward challenged leaders to think differently about how we grow people, organizations, and communities. It was a perfect preview of what drives her every day at Horizon Point: helping others discover purpose, align passion with productivity, and build workplaces where innovation thrives.
Our 2025 theme, Nourish, is about more than professional development. It’s about tending to the roots that make growth possible. Mary Ila has been doing just that since she founded Horizon Point more than a decade ago. What started as a vision to reshape how companies think about people strategy has grown into a thriving consulting firm that blends HR, leadership, and workforce development with a deep commitment to community impact.
Mary Ila believes that nourishing entrepreneurship starts with curiosity and courage and the willingness to try new ideas, take smart risks, and trust that growth often comes from discomfort. Her own journey embodies that mindset: moving from corporate HR roles to launching a business built on her belief that work should be both productive and purposeful.
In her Meet the Team interview, Mary Ila shares how she balances bold innovation with grounded leadership. She talks about the importance of creating space for creativity while maintaining a clear sense of mission. Whether she’s designing leadership programs, coaching executives, or mentoring emerging professionals, her approach always centers on one thing: helping people flourish.
She also reminds us that nourishing others starts with nourishing ourselves, investing in reflection, learning, and rest so we can show up ready to serve. It’s a principle that guides her leadership and the culture she’s built within Horizon Point.
As we continue our Meet the Team series, we invite you to get to know the people who make our work possible, each bringing their own story of growth, grit, and generosity. Mary Ila’s story reminds us that innovation doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated, cared for, and shared, one idea, one conversation, one relationship at a time.
Mary Ila spoke at the 2025 DisruptHR Huntsville event in August, all about how to make work fun and productive. Here’s a recap on what her five minute talk emphasized!
Work and play. Too often, we treat them as opposites—like you can only have one at the expense of the other. But what if the real secret to stronger results, happier teams, and better workplaces is choosing AND?
At Horizon Point, we believe the most impactful organizations are the ones that put people first. And putting people first means recognizing that work and play don’t have to be at odds. In fact, blending the two is where innovation and connection thrive.
For decades, we’ve separated the serious from the playful. Work is about productivity, deadlines, and outcomes. Play is what happens after hours. But that split ignores a core truth: people bring their best selves to work when they feel safe, connected, and able to enjoy what they do.
By embracing AND, we unlock a workplace culture where high performance and genuine joy coexist.
When we think about combining work and play, three core elements rise to the top:
Fun doesn’t mean frivolous. It means creating moments of levity and joy that break up the intensity of daily tasks. Laughter, shared activities, or simply celebrating wins together makes teams more resilient and energized.
Play builds bridges. When teams connect on a human level—beyond job titles and roles—they develop trust that strengthens collaboration and communication.
Play levels the playing field. When everyone is invited in, regardless of position or personality, workplaces become more open, creative, and equitable.
Of course, fun, connection, and inclusivity can’t thrive without psychological safety.
Psychological safety is the shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. When employees know they can speak up, make mistakes, and be themselves without fear of judgment, they feel respected and valued. Research shows it’s one of the most important factors in effective teams.
So, how do you choose AND at work?
Work and play. Productivity and joy. Results and people first. When we stop choosing one over the other, that’s when workplaces truly thrive.
Every workplace depends on high-performing doers. These are the individuals who know the work, do it well, and set the pace for those around them. But when it’s time to lead others, the skills that made someone a great individual contributor don’t always translate directly into leadership.
Doer to Leader (D2L) is a professional learning series that supports technical experts, frontline staff, and emerging supervisors as they prepare to lead teams. This blended program helps participants shift their focus from tasks to people by developing leadership mindset, communication skills, and practical strategies for managing others.
Participants attend live virtual and/or in-person workshops, complete short self-paced eLearning modules, and apply what they learn through reflection and action planning. The result is a confident, capable leader who understands how to lead with purpose and clarity.
D2L for Everyone
For professionals in other sectors—nonprofit, small business, government—who are moving from technical work into leadership. Offers universal leadership tools with adaptable application.
D2L for Educators
For K–12 teachers, instructional coaches, and department leaders preparing for school administration roles. Focuses on leadership mindset, communication, and school-specific challenges.
We also provide FCD and SCDA Training leading to NCDA Credentialing and Certification for CTE professionals.
D2L for Manufacturing
For operators, engineers, and tradespeople transitioning into supervisor or team lead roles. Emphasizes coaching, accountability, and clear communication on the shop floor.
D2L for Healthcare
For clinical and technical staff stepping into leadership. Focuses on building trust, supporting teams, and leading effectively in complex care settings.
D2L is designed and delivered by our team at Horizon Point, a women-owned small business focused on building better workplaces and a stronger workforce. Our team combines expertise in human resources, education, organizational development, and talent strategy.
We understand the transition from doer to leader because we’ve helped hundreds of professionals make it.
Real-World Experience
Our consultants include former educators, HR generalists, career coaches, and industry leaders. We’ve worked in and with schools, hospitals, manufacturing plants, nonprofits, and more.
Research-Based, Practical Design
We build learning experiences that are grounded in adult learning theory, backed by behavioral science, and focused on practical, real-world application.
Industry-Relevant Expertise
Because we’ve led teams in your world, we tailor examples, discussions, and tools to your environment—whether it’s a classroom, a clinic, a shop floor, or a small business office.
Values-Driven Work
We lead with our values:
People First
Productivity
Passion
Continuous Learning & Improvement
Give Back
At Horizon Point, we help people grow because we believe leadership is not a position—it’s a practice. And we’re here to help participants practice it with skill and confidence.
Learn more about our team at horizonpointconsulting.com/about
