In the modern business landscape, focus is our most valuable resource: but it’s also our most scarce commodity.
Whichever business owner can cultivate focus in their team will absolutely gain a competitive edge. The more focused your team is, the more productive everyone will be – including you!
But you’ll be surprised to learn that the edge we just mentioned might be something you hear every day: in your car, gym, even your shower!
That’s right: listening to music at work may be the edge you need to improve your productivity.
So, Does Music Make Your Team More Productive?
Music has been scientifically proven time and time again to not only boost your mood, but also your productivity.
It does this by entering you into a trance-like, deep state of focus that blocks out all distractions. It’s just you and your work.
The uplifted mood also benefits you, particularly when you’re dealing with a task you don’t like.
But let’s get one thing straight: not all music can help you be productive in every scenario.
You most likely wouldn’t want to listen to heavy metal while you are composing an email to win a potential new client. You’d want a more gentle touch!
We’ll touch on how to pick your best music choice in just a moment. But first, how do you get your team to listen to music at work in the first place?
How To Make Music Work In Your Office; Or, Speakers Vs Headphones
First and foremost, your team will need to want to listen to music.
This won’t be too hard, as almost everybody enjoys listening to their own favorite tracks.
Once everyone has agreed to trying out music as a productivity booster, you’ll have two options for how you all listen:
- Are you going to use a radio or speaker playing in your office space?
- Or will you encourage your team to listen to their own music from private headphones?
The Case For Speakers
If you have a small team that all enjoy the same genre of music, we suggest a public speaker. It’s a great way to have everyone bond and get them focused at the same time. Besides, headphones can potentially block communications between key team members.
The Case For Headphones
However, if your team likes different genres of music, headphones are the best choice. Moreover, headphones will block out distractions for your team, like a noisy road outside or other team members on a phone call.
Plus, having their own music playing will lead to a deeper state of focus for your team.
What Types Of Music Should You Listen To While Working?
If you do decide to play an office-wide playlist, here are some proven genres to help boost mood and productivity:
Classical
By far and away, classical is the most tried and true music genre for increasing focus and productivity.
Research shows that the melodies used have a calming effect, which lets your brain work at a more concentrated pace.
However, one thing to note is that classical is one of the least listened to genres of music. You may have a hard time convincing people to listen to it long term. Many people can find it offputting, to the point of distraction.
Spotify Top 50’s
One option you have is to let Spotify play the global or national Top 50 playlists.
The advantage of listening to these trending songs is that everyone in your team will likely have a song that they enjoy.
Most of these tracks will be upbeat, too, leading to an increase in energy and mood.
Just be aware that sometimes the Top 50’s can include songs that may not be appropriate for the workplace, I.E. swear words – make sure to check before any client meetings!
Radio
Playing the radio is a good allround choice: you’ll have family friendly lyrics from well known, trendy songs and white noise from the hosts speaking.
Depending on the radio station, the hosts can also be funny and serve as talking points around the water cooler for your team.
Just make sure that the radio hosts aren’t so entertaining that they become a distraction to concentrated work.
Music Production To Finance Production
Now that your team is more productive thanks to music, it’s time to make your finances more productive thanks to our over one hundred and fifty years combined experience.
Sound like the kind of productivity you’re after?
Give us a call today to learn how we can help grow your finances year after year.