In this episode, Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth break down why “multitasking” is often a myth and how rapid task switching increases cognitive load, drains mental energy, and lowers productivity. If you’re navigating organizational change, remote work complexity, or constant meeting cycles, context switching can quietly sabotage execution and adoption—even when everyone is working hard.

What you’ll learn (for every level of the org):

• Why context switching creates mental fatigue and attention residue
• How task jumping shows up in remote work and meeting-heavy cultures
• Practical task management strategies: time blocking, prioritizing, and finishing work in focused chunks
• Why setting boundaries is really important—and how leaders can model it
• How meeting preparation reduces in-the-moment switching and improves decisions
• How understanding team dynamics supports change management and autonomy

Sound bites you’ll hear:

• “Is there really such thing as multitasking?”
• “Setting boundaries is really important.”
• “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”

Whether you’re an employee trying to get your day back, a manager juggling priorities, HR supporting sustainable performance, or an executive driving change—this episode gives you a shared language and actionable tools to protect focus and improve outcomes.

Keywords: multitasking, context switching, productivity, leadership, organizational development, change management, mental fatigue, task management, remote work, cognitive load

In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, hosts Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth kick off Season Three by reflecting on their experiences and insights from the past year. They discuss the importance of organizational structure, change management, and leadership dynamics, particularly in the context of restructuring. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding team dynamics and the role of leadership in fostering a supportive work environment. As they look ahead to the new season, they express excitement about upcoming topics and guests that will further explore the intersection of business and psychology.

In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, Dr. Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth explore how industrial-organizational (IO) psychology professionals contribute to organizational development at both granular and strategic levels. They discuss how these experts help align people with organizational goals, optimize hiring through a balance of essential and technical skills, and implement strategies for learning, development, and succession planning. The conversation also examines the broad applicability of IO expertise, from improving day-to-day operations to shaping organizational mission and vision, while delivering measurable impact and cost savings.