Productivity beyond the workplace

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
My View - The Sun Daily
March 28, 2018

THE assumption that "productivity" is a technical concept relevant only to workplaces is not accurate. Broadly, it can be described as a way of thinking and "the way of life" regardless of one's vocation.

In this context, "productivity" is often linked to five basic necessities that must be promoted and protected as the basis of action to attain a "productive" life that is sustainable, balanced and harmonious (sejahtera). It needs to be (re)aligned with the conventional idea of "productivity" as humanly as possible beyond the material dimension. In this way, it can also act as a motivational force that has a direct impact on "productivity" as a human person more than just human capital. This completes the loop in articulating what "sustainable productivity" ought to be for everyone, everywhere and every time.

For this to happen, each of the five "necessities" must relate to one another in such a way that all are interdependent to ensure "productivity" is culturally sustainable. The first necessity is the promotion and protection of "life" (inclusive of health and safety), second "intellect", third "progeny", fourth "(natural) resources", and last "the way of life" that connects all the rest as essential parts of productive living.

There is little awareness on how the five necessities can be applied in managing and achieving better "productivity" that is sustainable, balanced and harmonious; while at the same time warding off loss and injury, thus injustice, chaos and disarray in all situations keeping unhappiness in abeyance. Instead, it helps to restore "discipline", "well-being" with "higher sense of purpose" by being exemplary regardless of place and time.

In practical terms, to better promote and protect (all forms of) "life" through "productivity" – not only must individuals nurture and exercise discipline and thoughtfulness, the systems must also be deployed in such a way that the management and governance is directed to achieve the maximum in the most dignified and human way.

This, in turn, will depend on the level of intellect and rigour of reasoning engaged to bring out the best impact and outcome to reflect the overall status of well-being based on values of morality, integrity and authenticity.

Ultimately, over the long term, these will be embedded in future generations (progeny) who will foster even better productive futures for the community, nation and world. They are the leaders of tomorrow forged on values founded on the principle of five necessities to pursue productive lifestyles.

In more tangible terms, this can be "measured" through short-term outputs – not just economically, but also culturally and even socio-politically. Over the long term, it portrays equitable prosperity, justice and social cohesion to develop a sustainable community. As such it addresses larger societal values and concerns of environmental ethics as part of the shared communal values and stewardship related to "resources" held in trust for humanity.

All these are interlinked to shape "the way of life" rooted in universal values whereby all the five necessities are held together to be promoted and protected as the overarching indicator of "sustainable productivity". And as productivity increases "the way of life" will continue to evolve attaining even higher stature and state of well-being. This feeds back into the principle of five necessities ensuring that each of the necessities remains relevant and applicable laying the foundation for a holistic and evolving values-based productivity system.

This will form the main framework to acculturate sustainable productivity extending beyond the industry into the larger (global) community and individuals.

The quintuple model of "sustainable productivity" ventures to motivate via the sense of accomplishment and attainment of higher order and purpose in life that is sustainable, balanced and harmonious. By being deeply self-motivated and engaged, other forms of incentives, recognition and rewards can be rendered less important, thus thrusting forward the importance of "sustainable productivity" as a social movement boosted by the principle of five necessities.