Feel-Good Productivity: A New Approach to Organizational Transformation, Dr. Tendayi Viki

💡 “Productivity isn’t about discipline. It’s about doing work that makes you feel good.” – Ali Abdaal

This quote from "Feel Good Productivity" kicked off a powerful talk on Coaching.com I recently heard from Tendayi Viki. It rang very true for me as I strategize about how to help organizations take on changes.

Dr. Viki built on Abdaal’s insight with a compelling challenge for leaders, changemakers, and innovators: If you want to lead effective change in your organization, forget trying to convince or coerce.

No more begging.

No big events required.

No 50-slide decks.

Instead, focus on one thing: creating momentum.

He called this a feel good transformation. It’s not about pressure. It’s about energy.

🔄 How do you create momentum?

Dr. Viki offered a formula inspired by Jim Collins’ "Good to Great":

Momentum = Velocity (consistent action) × Mass (visible results)

This means starting small and staying consistent. Small, visible wins generate energy. That energy draws people in. And the flywheel of change begins to turn.

When people see progress, they want to participate. They become curious. Then engaged. Then advocates.

Which brings us to buy-in—often the elusive holy grail of organizational change.

In Dr. Viki’s model, buy-in isn’t about compliance. It’s about belief.

It’s about turning colleagues into ambassadors, believers, and supporters.

And that happens through two things:

Evaluation – People need to believe the change is good and worth doing.

Active Participation – They need opportunities to contribute, shape, and champion the effort.

It’s a simple truth, but a transformative one: When people feel good about the work, they engage more deeply. They help move things forward.

When we prioritize energy, results, and real engagement, we build momentum that lasts.

✨ Whether you’re leading a team, launching a new initiative, or shifting culture, ask yourself:

What’s one small action we can take consistently?

What’s one result we can make visible?

Who can we invite to help shape the work?

Start small. Stay visible. Feel good. Repeat.