Sitting next to a high performer boosts productivity by 15%

Sitting next to a high performer boosts productivity by 15%, according to research from US business school, Kellogg, whilst being next to a low performer can decrease it by up to 30%.

Researchers looked at the 25-foot radius around high-performers at a large technology firm and found that these workers boosted performance in co-workers by 15%.

And that “positive spillover” translated into an estimated $1 million in additional annual profits, reported Dyman Minor, who was an assistant professor of managerial economics and decision sciences at the Kellogg School at the time of the research.

But on the flipside, bad eggs can impact their neighbours too. Negative spillover from so-called toxic workers was even more pronounced—having twice the magnitude (up to 30%) impact on profits as positive spillover. 

However, whilst this toxic spillover happens very quickly, it also dissipates almost immediately once that worker is either fired or relegated to the far physical reaches of the company. 

Now, whilst the research itself is not new, what’s been brought to light recently is the impact remote working is having on productivity and output. With ‘negative spillover’ in an office environment, for example, it is easy to shift around desk space and move people. But if you’re no longer sat next to any high performer, due to remote working, what does that mean for the 15% extra in productivity?

“The rise of remote work is often seen as one of the positive outcomes of the 2020 pandemic,” JW Simmons, a recently-graduated US-based software development manager says, posting on Linked In. “However, it’s important to acknowledge that remote work isn’t suitable for everyone and presents challenges for both employers and individuals entering or transitioning to this new working style.

“As remote workers, we miss out on the physical benefits of sitting near high performers,” he adds.

Simmons says to thrive as top performers in a remote-first team, employees need to be part of a complete team of high achievers. He explains: “We must also wholeheartedly believe in the business we’re serving and the problems it aims to solve. The “positive spillover” that comes from being part of a remote team stems from actively participating in projects, taking ownership, asking questions, and proactively solving problems,” he adds.

Matt Haycox talks extensively about productivity and getting the best out of teams to drive business growth. “I am no maths’ wizard (I should maybe get Harlie on this with her further maths A level!) but a 5% – 10% increase in output and efficiency per person multiplied by dozens of members of staff adds up to a massive monetary amount,” he posts in a recent column.

And for business leaders, he says being “physically present to nip problems in the bud or realign priorities that better fit your overall business plan” will make savings that compound massively over time.

Many of the big banking firms are now calling workers back to the office, as they realise the power of ‘positive spillover’ and the impact this can have on growth. 

And in an economic downturn, with challenging market conditions and stiff competition, that 15% could make all the difference between a business being successful and going under.

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