With Hive, you’ve definitely found streamlined ways to manage your projects. But, how are you managing your team? Effective team managers approach their colleagues with a sense of emotional intelligence, an ability to delegate, problem-solving skills and an openness to feedback, among other things. Their excellent communication skills and decision-making capabilities make them perfect for managing people, instead of just project assets. Is there a definite way to manage your team based on productivity and bring a different energy to the environment?
Enter: ROWE, or “results only work environment.”
A management strategy that was originally created in 2001 by two Best Buy human resources professionals, ROWE is a highly debated topic in many professional industries. The two had conducted a workplace survey, and overwhelmingly Best Buy employees wanted to have the trust instilled in them to perform their tasks and do their jobs on their own schedule. ROWE is essentially allowing employees to work wherever and whenever they’d like, as long as their work gets finished according to agreed-upon deadlines and set standards. Additionally, as long as you get your work completed and it is up to par, you can cut your work hours as much as you want.
Benefits to ROWE
1. ROWE instills trust
Having an outlined strategy for the entire team in approaching ROWE can help get everyone on the same page. While many will not entirely be used to the flexibility allowed in ROWE – and many may even require help in stepping into this new work management process – they will undoubtedly find the fact that superiors within the company have a high level of trust in them to be positive. Allowing people the space to create their own schedule shows them that you see them, you value their time and you trust their creative flow.
The good news? Hiring managers and C-Suite managers exist as the architects of a team that they trust to propel the company forward. If they spend all of their time micromanaging the people to whom they are supposed to be delegating tasks, then they are stretching themselves thin and will eventually experience burnout that does not need to occur. More perspective and eyes on a project encourage its success.
2. ROWE encourages productivity
Having the ability to create when you feel productive or are most awake – no matter what time of day that is – is always good for dopamine, and can boost your productivity around a concept or task.
ROWE allows a worker to be present from wherever they’d like, even in their own home. In many cases, this can allow an employee to more better balance their work/life concept. Less time on a commute or in a stodgy office, the ability to tend to dependents (partners, children, pets, caregiving recipients, or otherwise) and chores as needed is a special perk to the experience. Then, you can get to your everyday life as productivity spikes and you feel more inspired.
3. ROWE leads to happier employees
By giving employees the option to work with ROWE standards in mind, you are giving them the space to have control over their schedule. That, alone, is a beautiful reason for them to be happier people. As mentioned previously, being more productive and efficient in your work can help boost confidence levels. Plus, the sense of aforementioned added trust can amplify that confidence. A study published in Psychological Science in The Public Interest states that “high self-esteem feels good.”
4. ROWE could lead to increased innovation
That same study claims that boosted self-esteem also fosters initiative. With these boosted confidence levels comes increased production of ideas. Having the sources of validation that tell you your ideas are contributory makes it easier to put yourself and your innovations forward to the group. While you approach thoughts and ideas your company may never have considered previously, you feel good about it, instead of being timid about your gumption. While it may not seem this simple, morale is a key player in encouraging engagement in the workplace.
With increased innovation, managers recognize the wins more often. This can increase positive interaction with subordinates, providing a physical boost in office morale. It also shows that management supports innovators’ career trajectories, no matter the level of success, long or short-term.
5. ROWE can reduce turnover
As a direct result of the boost in employee happiness, employing ROWE in the workplace could directly affect turnover within your company. When a person is happier at work, they are less likely to leave. In fact, after implementing ROWE, Best Buy experienced a 45% reduction in turnover. A positive work environment filled with trust and creative inspiration is a place where workers thrive and find balance.
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