261: Nature's Attack Of Productivity Is Real

<p>Brace yourself for everything to take a big hit twice a year.  Speed, attention to detail, output, results are about to fall off a cliff.  No this has nothing to do with currency rates, wars, supply chain issues, trade regulations, tariffs, gunboat diplomacy or anything politicians may do.  This is here in Japan, every year and mainly relevant in the major cities. </p> <p> </p> <p>Roughly one third of your team in Tokyo are going to become a lot less productive, firstly as they battle with the demon pollen plague that hits every spring.  Cherry blossom time has had the gloss taken off it substantially, since the cedar pollen levels have risen to such grandiose heights.  Those pinky-white buds herald the onset of a living hell.  Expect a repeat in Autumn, when the grasses are heavy and are sending fine particles into the air, which impact our delicate nasal passages. It is hard to concentrate when you are crying and your eyes are so itchy you think you are going to go crazy.  Just to offset these maladies, you can insert massive intermittent bouts of sneezing.  The tissue box will get a hammering and those tissues will start attacking the fine membrane under the nose, so that it hurts like blazes. </p> <p> </p> <p>For those really suffering, they won’t even make it to the workplace, because going outside is a killer.  This means less shopping, restaurants in the evening and beers after work.  It means masks, goggles, eye and nose drops, doctor visits and keeping indoors as much as possible for months.  The disruption to the workplace is real.  Even if they are working from home, it doesn't mean they are not suffering there too.</p> <p> </p> <p>Tempers become shorter when people are irritated and in pain.  They are less tolerant of others as they double down and focus on themselves and their woes.  Cooperation is lessened somehow, as they are not so generous with their attention.  They are less creative, because their brains are on fire trying to deal with a hostile intruder that is attacking their nasal passage