Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It_ The Results-Only Revolution - Cali Ressler [68]
Everyone has a role to play. As we converted Best Buy employees team by team to a Results-Only Work Environment, we found that it was the people’s passion for the new lifestyle that in turn spawned hundreds of evangelists who continue to carry the change forward. But everyone evangelizes differently. Some shout it from the rooftops. Others lead quietly by example. Still others follow with conviction.
Regardless of how you decide to participate it’s not going to be an easy path to walk. You’re going to need help and support from the people around you, because you’ll find resistance all along the way. There is no end to the battles that need to be fought and obstacles that need to be overcome. There will be moments every day when you’ll think, “It would be so much easier to just forget about this and not fight anymore.”
When these moments come, know that you are not alone. Right now we are out in the world working to make ROWE a reality. We’re speaking to any audience that will listen, meeting with business leaders and government officials. We’re doing all of this because:
There is a better way to work.
A ROWE can have a positive impact on quality of life (and drive business results) for everyone.
People have the right to control their time.
We hope you say yes to this cause. Say yes to fighting for control over your time. Even though you may get booed instead of cheered, even though you may never hear applause, say yes to making this new way of living and working a reality. And if you can’t say yes to fighting for a results-only world, at least say yes to the idea. Say yes because there are people around you who are doing everything they can to make this change. Say yes now so when the time comes you’ll be ready to join us.
APPENDIX I
How ROWE Are You?
1. If people in my organization think a particular meeting is a waste of time, they:
a. start answering e-mails on their laptop and ignore everything else that’s going on.
b. catch the meeting organizer after the meeting and ask what they were trying to accomplish.
c. stop the meeting and ask the facilitator what they are hoping to accomplish.
2. When a work process at my company is improved and waste is removed from the system, the time saved is replaced by:
a. employees sitting in their cubes until five because that is when the workday is over.
b. management immediately giving employees more work.
c. whatever activities the employees feel are valuable, perhaps personal time, developmental projects, assisting teammates, etc.
3. If someone at my company wants to work from home on a Tuesday, they:
a. would need to ask their boss for permission, and inform their team members and customers.
b. would need to inform their team and customers.
c. wouldn’t need to ask permission or inform anyone.
4. When a meeting is set up at my company, the expectation is:
a. you will be physically present in a meeting room at the office building.
b. if you have an acceptable excuse, you are allowed to call in to the meeting.
c. you will deliver what you need to deliver, regardless of location.
5. At my company, when we’re sick and do work from home:
a. we put in eight hours of sick time or paid time off (PTO).
b. we put in four hours of sick time or PTO.
c. we don’t submit any sick time or PTO.
6. Vacation time at my organization is allotted:
a. by years of service.
b. by years of service, and we can donate time to employees who have atypical needs for leave.
c. our vacation time or PTO is unlimited.
7. If someone at my company needs to attend a funeral they:
a. submit personal time or PTO.
b. use bereavement leave time.
c. just go and don’t submit any time.
8. If asked what work “looks like,” people at my company would say:
a. a person sitting in a cube, typing on a keyboard.
b. a person conducting a meeting in a conference room.
c. work doesn’t have a particular “look.