Is Our Obsession with Efficiency Backfiring?

We’re constantly told to “do more with less” — but what if that’s the wrong goal altogether?In this episode, Eric and Jonathan challenge the traditional definition of efficiency and unpack why it can be a trap for social impact organizations. From donor pressure to staff burnout, they explore how the pursuit of efficiency often undermines effectiveness — and what to prioritize instead if you're serious about sustainable, meaningful impact.➔ Why efficiency and innovation often live at opposite ends of the spectrum. ➔ How serving the process can slowly kill your mission. ➔ What to say when funders fixate on overhead (and how to shift the conversation to impact). ➔ A smarter definition of efficiency: spending time on the right work, not just more work. ➔ What systemic inefficiency looks like — and how to fix it without burning everything down.If you're feeling the pressure to cut corners, over-optimize, or stretch your team thin in the name of “efficiency,” this episode will help you step back, reframe the problem, and refocus on what actually moves the needle.Don’t chase efficiency. Build for effectiveness.Episode Highlights:[00:00] Redefining efficiency: Doing the right thing at the right time[01:49] Innovation vs. optimization[03:30] The cultural obsession with optimization—and its dangers[05:35] Real-world ad example: Efficiency as a byproduct of innovation[06:32] Smart systems vs. busywork: What efficiency should actually look like[08:07] The trap of measurable efficiency—and the loss of trust[09:08] “Serving the process”: The red flag that your culture may be off track[11:44] Bureaucracy, balance, and unintended harm[14:33] The overhead myth and how to push back effectively[18:16] When “efficiency” undermines your people[21:45] Sector-wide inefficiency[24:57] Effectiveness as the healthier north star[26:25] Diminishing returns: Knowing when to stop optimizingResources:In Defense of MoonshotsBreaking the Starvation Cycle Marketing Isn’t OverheadAre You Using Your Power?MacKenzie Scott Proved Unrestricted Funding WorksSupercharge Your MissionListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you! We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at [email protected] Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

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