 |
|
|
|||||
As a manager, you’re constantly navigating the many individual differences within your team that affect performance. Some people are more analytical, others more creative. Some thrive in structured environments, while others excel when given more autonomy. But one area that dramatically impacts performance that isn’t talked about enough is chronotypethe natural biological rhythm of an individual that determines when they feel most alert, focused, and productive throughout the day. People have different chronotypessome are more focused in the morning, while others do their best work later in the day (researchers have mapped more than 80 genes that regulate circadian rhythms). But many workplaces still stick to a 9-to-5 schedule that doesn’t fit everyone. According to recent research, this circadian misalignment can lead to decreased productivity, increased stress, and even health problems. Workers who don’t fit the norm may face challenges in the workplaceyet its imperative for organizations to tap into their full contributions. As a researcher studying work-life balance and applied chronobiology, Ive discovered how chronoinclusive work cultures can improve both performance and well-being. In my work with multiple Fortune 500 companies in 17 countries, I’ve discovered three key ways that leaders can introduce the conversation around circadian rhythms and chronobiology, and ensure theyre positivelynot negativelyimpacting your team’s performance. 1. Challenge stereotypes about late risers In our culture, we venerate early risersfrom Benjamin Franklins early to bed and early to rise to bestselling books like The 5AM Club (which has sold over 15 million copies worldwide). We think theyre the serious, industrious workers. And yet: There are more late chronotypes than early chronotypes in the population. According to research, only about 30% of people are early chronotypes, while the remainder are either night owls (40%) or fall somewhere in between (30%). That means a significant portion of your team may be biologically wired to perform better later in the dayand may be disadvantaged by the early start. This early riser bias equates early arrival with traits like conscientiousness, motivation, and reliability. As a manager, its important to notice these common stereotypesand take steps to challenge them. You might ask yourself: ‘Have I inadvertently favored early starters on my team, perhaps through access to me or when important decisions are made? Does our organization equate prompt morning attendance with being leadership material? Am I less patient with team members who message me in the afternoon or evening? 2. Map chronotypes in your team Teams can improve both performance and well-being by learning when each person works best. Understanding these differences can help you plan smarter and lead more effectively. You can use a validated tool like the MorningnessEveningness Questionnaire (a 19-question self-assessment). Or, you can simply ask team members a few basic questions: If you had no meetings or responsibilities, when would you naturally start your day? When would you go to bed if you could set your own schedule? What time of day do you usually feel most focused and productive? Once you know more about your teams chronotypes, you can use this information to: Assign deep-focus tasks when each person has the most energy. Schedule collaboration during times when energy levels overlap. For example, my client Julia, the head of HR at a media organization, is a strong morning type. She wakes up naturally at 4 a.m., does her most focused work in the early hours, and starts winding down by early evening. In contrast, David, a leader in a legal association, is a late chronotype. He finds early mornings exhausting and prefers quiet, flexible starts. His peak performance happens in the afternoon and evening, when hes most alert and focused. By recognizing and working with these patternsnot against themteams can become both more productive and more balanced. 3. Foster chronoinclusive work cultures Many workplaces are unintentionally designed around early risers, who often claim prime resources. If you want to support both early risers and late chronotypesand unlock greater performance across your team: Offer flexible start times and meeting hours: Allow team members to begin their workday in alignment with their natural energy peaks. This supports better focus, fewer mistakes, and improved well-being for both morning and evening types. When teams include a mix of early birds and night owls, the best meeting time is often between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.a middle zone where most chronotypes have relatively good energy and focus. Ensure fair access to workplace resources: Be mindful that early arrivals often get first access to perks like premium desks, food options, or parking spaces. Design systems that dont unintentionally reward one chronotype over another. For example, assign desks and parking spaces, and make sure food prep and service hours match peak demand times. Lead by example: Share how you plan your own day based on when youre most alertand make it okay for others to do the same. A culture of openness starts with you. Chronotype is a critical, yet often overlooked factor in how teams perform. By recognizing biological differences in how and when people work bestand making room for that diversityleaders can reduce hidden bias, unlock untapped potential, and build more productive and inclusive teams.
Category:
E-Commerce
For those whove had enough of scrolling AI slop, meet Picastro: an Instagram app for astrophotography. Picastro is a dedicated, mobile-first platform built for amateurs and pros who capture images of the night sky. Launched late last year by Tom McCrorie, an amateur astrophotographer, the platform was designed to give celestial images the space and pixels they deserveand to offer users a break from bots, algorithms, and shoddy AI-generated content. The platform supports JPEG files up to 120 megabytes, allowing for high-resolution uploads and manual zooming, so every detail can be appreciated as nature intended. For reference, Instagram currently supports up to eight megabytes before photos are automatically compressed. Uploaded images can be tagged with a StarCard, a field where photographers share key information about their shotfrom telescope type and camera model to filters used and ISO settings. Instead of relying on an algorithm or recommendation engine to decide which images get seen, users vote on their favorite photos by using a system of stars and trophies. The images with the most votes rise to the top, and each week and month the top-voted entries are highlighted as Image of the Week or Image of the Month. Theres also a social aspect. Users can connect through StarCampssubgroups within the platform based on different skills, equipment brands, celestial targets, or experience levels. The app offers a free plan, Curiosity, but full access requires a subscription. Paid plansTitan, Callisto, and Ganymederange from about $5 to $10 per month and allow for more uploads and larger file sizes. If you ever need a reminder that social media is fake and we live on a floating rock, just download the app and have a scroll.
Category:
E-Commerce
The Republican Partys 800-page One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now being debated in the Senate, with a final up-or-down vote expected as soon as Monday night. On the issue of artificial intelligence, much of the attention has focused on the bills proposed moratorium on state-level laws regulating the development or application of AI models and apps. Notably, Senate negotiations reduced the proposed moratorium from 10 years to five, and added exceptions for state rules that protect kids and copyrights, so long as the rules do not unduly or disproportionately burden AI systems and models. However, state preemption is only one of several major AI-related proposals in the bill. It appropriates billions of dollars for new AI initiatives across multiple federal agencies, including the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Energy. Homeland Security The bill allocates $6.1 billion for infrastructure and systems used in border surveillance. A portion of the funding will go toward acquiring new and upgraded surveillance systems that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computer vision to detect, identify, classify, and track items of interest. It also directs DHS to develop new nonintrusive inspection equipment, potentially using AI, to detect illicit narcotics crossing the border. Defense For fiscal year 2025, the bill provides $450 million to develop AI and autonomous robotics systems for naval shipbuilding. It allocates $145 million for AI in aerial and naval attack drones and systems. An additional $250 million is proposed to expand AI projects within U.S. Cyber Command, and $115 million is set aside to develop AI systems that help protect nuclear facilities from cyberattacks. Another $200 million is included to improve the speed, efficiency, and cybersecurity of the systems that the Pentagon uses to audit its financial statements. Commerce The bill amends existing law to include AI systems and automated decision systems as eligible projects under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. It also adds $500 million in funding to the program for fiscal year 2025. In addition, the bill allocates $25 million to the Commerce Department for constructing, acquiring, and deploying AI infrastructure required to run AI models and systems. The bill states that any state not complying with the five-year moratorium on AI regulation will be ineligible for these funds. Public interest and tech advocacy groups have strongly criticized the provision, arguing it effectively forces states to choose between essential broadband funding and their ability to oversee AI development responsibly. Congress should abandon this attempt to stifle the efforts of state and local officials who are grappling with the implications of this rapidly developing technology, and should stop abdicating its own responsibility to protect the American people from the real harms that these systems have been shown to cause, Center for Democracy and Technology CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens said in a statement Monday. Energy The bill provides $150 million to the Energy Department to develop and share data and AI models. It instructs the agency to work with national and commercial labs to curate Department of Energy data for use in new AI models. The government believes this energy usage data can support the private sector in developing next generation microelectronics that consume less power. The Energy Department will also share its AI models with private-sector researchers to accelerate innovation in discovery science and engineering for new energy technologies.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||