New research suggests you’ll barely have the attention span to finish reading this paragraph. We shift our attention faster and more often than ever before, impacting our work and health. So, what can we do to increase our attention? Slow down, set the audio speed to 1X, and listen to author Gloria Mark explain why this is happening and how small changes to our behavior and work environments can help -- on the latest edition of the Work Better podcast.

Gloria Mark is an American psychologist and Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her PhD in psychology from Columbia University and has published over 200 scientific research articles. Her work primarily focuses on human-computer interaction, social computing, and the social impacts of digital media. Mark is the author of the 2023 book “Attention Span,” which explores how digital media affects our attention spans and offers strategies for improving focus and productivity.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.

New research suggests you’ll barely have the attention span to finish reading this paragraph. We shift our attention faster and more often than ever before, impacting our work and health. So, what can we do to increase our attention? Slow down, set the audio speed to 1X, and listen to author Gloria Mark explain why this is happening and how small changes to our behavior and work environments can help -- on the latest edition of the Work Better podcast. Gloria Mark is an American psychologist and Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her PhD in psychology from Columbia University and has published over 200 scientific research articles. Her work primarily focuses on human-computer interaction, social computing, and the social impacts of digital media. Mark is the author of the 2023 book “Attention Span,” which explores how digital media affects our attention spans and offers strategies for improving focus and productivity. The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.

Our 47-Second Attention Span With Gloria Mark (S5: EP3)

Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better.

Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory.  First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated.

We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming.  

Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot.

Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse. 

With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities.  Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build  connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better.

This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague.

Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.

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Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better. Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory. First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated. We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming. Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot. Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse. With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities. Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better. This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague. Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.

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Our 47-Second Attention Span With Gloria Mark (S5: EP3)

Our 47-Second Attention Span With Gloria Mark (S5: EP3)

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