Autonomy or Automaton?

It wasn’t too long ago that the only way for someone to find autonomy in the workplace was to either move way up the corporate food chain, or start their own business. Most people’s lives were dominated by the 9-5, 5 day-a-week work schedule of the typical corporate job. They were automatons, chained to their desks or their phones. But the internet and Global marketplace have changed all that. Now that so many important company processes are online, and so many clients are scattered all around the world, just about anyone can work from anywhere and anytime they want.

Jeff Gunther, and his software company Meddius, provide a perfect example of autonomy at work. All employees are empowered to work whenever and wherever they want. As long as they get their work done, Gunther doesn’t care whether they show up in the office or complete their project at 3 in the morning. Everything goes. This allows him to focus on what he believes in the key function of management: “Creating conditions for people to do their best work.”

Within weeks of implementing this new results-only work environment (ROWE) Gunther found that productivity increased, and stress was drastically reduced. No longer did his employees feel guilty about going to their daughter’s soccer game, or working from home if they felt a little under the weather. Everyone’s focus became about completing the work, not where or when the work was completed. The new policy was so effective that turnover decreased considerably. He found that employees were far less likely to jump to a new company for $10K or even $20K raises; the freedom was simply too valuable.

So, let me know what you think about autonomy in the workplace. What are you doing to give your employees more autonomy? Is autonomy one of your key drivers? Do you agree that autonomy is becoming a big driver for many new workers?

Remember, you can change it…we can help!