Prof. Dr. Mats Alvesson, CIAS Invited Distinguished Research Fellow, is known for his unique critical insights into organizational behavior. He is a professor at Lund University in Sweden and holds part-time positions at the University of Bath and City University of London. Alvesson has authored or co-authored over 30 books, including The Stupidity Paradox, and frequently speaks at conferences worldwide. 

In this interactive lecture, Prof. Dr. Alvesson presents insights from his latest book, The Art of Less: How to Focus on What Really Matters at Work, which he co-authored with André Spicer. The book explores how organizations become bogged down by an excess of redundant initiatives, meetings, training sessions, and targets – what the authors call “organizational sludge” – which obstructs meaningful productivity and engagement. They argue that over-enthusiastic executives, excessive consultants, and pressure from stakeholders often distract people from the “real work,” leaving them overwhelmed but underproductive. 

Crucially, the book offers actionable ideas on how to remove these obstacles, optimize workflows, and unearth space for truly important tasks. By “unblocking systems and processes,” organizations can reduce overload and enable employees to concentrate on work that matters most.