By Dr. Antonio Casanueva*
In Mexico, businessmen work more hours than in almost any other country in the world, but productivity is still behind. Why does this happen? And how can it be reversed?
In the management improvement of company leaders we find that a key is the management of time and productivity. It is not just about having the hours available, but how they are used.
Although we all have the same 24 hours, the difference lies in how we administer them: time is both a limited resource and a cultural and emotional construction. The perception of time varies: it is shortened with enthusiasm, it dilates with boredom, becomes tyrant under pressure.
The important thing is not to count the hours, but make every hour count. For senior management, this difference in the use of time is decisive.
The data is overwhelming. According to OECD figures, Mexico is one of the countries where more hours work A year: 2,246 hours average in 2023. It is followed by Costa Rica, Greece and South Korea.
However, when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is analyzed, the results are alarming: Mexico generates only $ 10,460 per worker per year, while Norway produces more than 92,000 dollars working less hours: only 1,730 per year.
Here an obvious paradox is revealed: it works more, but it occurs less.
Productivity is not directly linked to the number of hours worked, but to ability to generate value at that time. In other words: it is not how many hours work, but what is achieved with that time.
Many companies operate under a model where management is trapped in operational tasks, without space for innovation, strategy or development of new projects. This directly impacts its ability to grow and adapt.
Directive training as a strategic need
A well -formed high management promotes business productivity, organizational profitability and sustained innovation. Countries with better economic indicators not only have more efficient days, but better prepared leaders who know how to delegate, innovate and build flexible organizations oriented to value.
When business leaders are trained, they learn to optimize their time, improve their processes, develop autonomous teams and make more effective decisions. This, in the long term, is reflected in more profitable companies, minor worn leaders and more prosperous societies.
A comparative analysis between 10 countries (including Mexico, Chile, South Korea, Costa Rica, USA, Japan and Norway) clearly shows that the relationship between hours worked and GDP per capita is not linear.
Countries with shorter days, such as Norway or the US, achieve productivity per person much higher than those where you work more, such as Mexico or Costa Rica.
This contrast highlights the urgent need to rethink the work model. It is not about working more, but about working with intelligence and strategy.
How to improve business productivity in Mexico?
The first step is to change the mentality: begin to see training as an investment that frees time in the future.
Second, promote an organizational culture where senior management is not absorbed by the daily operation, but focused on the strategic: innovation, growth, sustainability.
Third, create environments that allow leaders to think, reflect and decide clearly. And that requires spaces for pause, dialogue and learning.
Conclusion: Work more intelligently to achieve more
The paradox of time in senior direction is not resolved with longer days, but with smarter decisions.
Investing in directive training not only improves processes, but transforms companies: less hours, more value.
About the author:
*DR. Antonio Casanueva is director of Executive Education of IPade Business School.
The opinions expressed are only the responsibility of their authors and are completely independent of the position and the editorial line of Forbes Mexico.
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