Are You Open to the Possibility of Changing Work?
June 16th, 2009
Last week I came across an article, Leading a Cultural Revolution, about what’s currently going on with Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson, the two women who initiated the results-only work environment (ROWE) movement. The article itself is okay, but what struck me (and thoroughly disappointed me) were the comments that followed.
The general beliefs and attitudes of those that commented eerily echoed feedback I received following a talk I gave several months ago to a professional group about ROWE. All they had were complaints, reasons it would never work, and were quick to dismiss the idea of ROWE. The readers of this article appear to have the same attitude.
Are there problems with ROWEs? Of course. Are there going to be challenges and setbacks? You bet. Is it going to work for everyone? Probably not. But does that mean we don’t even give it a try? I don’t think so.
Recently I was reading through Experience Life, the member magazine put out by Life Time Fitness, and came across an excellent quote that bears repeating. The magazine interviewed Rory Freedman, veganism advocate, and although she was talking about changing your perspective on healthy living, I think what she shared is important for our perspective on and approach to ROWEs and workplace flexibility. Freedman said,
“I think the best thing for people to do is to just stop for a second, step back from what it is you’ve already decided, or what you think you know, of how you’re sure you feel about the issue, and visit the possibility that the way you’re doing things can be improved upon.”
I’ve felt it and I know deep down you’ve felt it too; the way we approach work isn’t working and it’s time for a big change. As you ponder what that change looks like for you and your organization, I encourage you to hit the pause button on your preconceived notions of flexibility. Press pause on what you think you know about telecommuting or working from home. Take a minute to reconsider how you feel about face time and the importance of a traditional 40-hour, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. workweek. And just remain open to the possibility that how we work can be improved upon.
Take a few minutes to look at the article and browse through the comments yourself. But before you immediately write off ROWE, open your mind to the possibility that it could actually work for you. Imagine how your job and life would change if you had complete control over your schedule and the location of your work. You can change the way you work—as long as you remain open to the possibility that work can change for the better.
It is hard to convince employees who have grown accustomed to working in a structured environment that they are going to now have to work in an environment where they can set their own hours as long as they get their work done. My advice to those who are trying to convince a group that feels strongly opposed to a ROWE environment is to think of the flexibility it will provide them in their daily lives. They may still end up working 5 full 8-hour days but they can now choose what times of the day they will work and I would also suggest talking about incentives that might be offered. Most people don’t like change especially the older generations so it is important to talk about how the change will benefit them as well as the company. In the end, ROWE is not for everybody and every company but can be a great way to boost productivity.