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The ROWE In You

Dec 16, 2009 » by Cali & Jody

By: Michael Barata

When most people consider ROWE, the first instinct is to try and imagine how it will work within their organization. The problem with that approach is that ROWE is not meant to be buddied up with an organization’s current culture or modified to be compatible with a particular policy (such as flextime) or manipulated in any way. ROWE must become the culture. ROWE as a culture change is most successful when the adaptation of it is driven by YOU.

ROWE is not a work-from-home program.

ROWE does not free people of accountability.

ROWE is not technical change.

In a ROWE, the ultimate goal is success. Success for the individual and success for the organization. What differs the most between a traditional work environment and a ROWE is the approach in how to achieve success. A traditional work environment most often uses control, time, and subjectivity, whereas a ROWE promotes empowerment, trust, and objectivity. Think about that for a moment. Is the focus at your organization on permission or performance?

Doing something at work because “that’s the way it has always been” is not innovative or motivating. If you believe in your abilities to achieve results, but your method does not resemble the status quo, why does your organization not empower and trust you to do so anyway? A ROWE’s most valuable tool is freedom. Freedom to make decisions, be responsible, and get the work done.

When you think of ROWE, don’t think about your past work experiences or even your current work environment…..think about YOU.

  • http://www.employeewellnessnetwork.com WorkWell

    Compared to everything that’s going on in employee wellness, ROWE seems to have the most potential to make a real difference. Flipping through the book, I notice that at least one study failed to show improvements in physical and behavioral health indicators. Any updates or additional findings I may not have come across yet?

    • Cali & Jody

      @WorkWell – Every day, we see evidence of how much potential ROWE has to affect employee health and well-being of employees (and their families). Whether it’s stories of people losing weight, lowered blood pressure, healthier eating, or more/better sleep…it’s happening. We are currently partnering with the National Institutes of Health on a long-term study to show how ROWE affects health and well-being. The first set of data can be viewed here: http://www.flexiblework.umn.edu/FWWB_Fall07.pdf (this may be the study you’re referring to). We’re involved in the second phase of the NIH study now – with long-term settings and a Fortune 200 company in the western U.S. That data will be released in a couple years – not soon enough! :)

  • Lily

    To name just a few pROWEs, the ROWE in you can pROWEmote
    - personal and pROWEfessional gROWEth.
    - greater pROWEductivity.
    - pROWElific creativity.
    Let’s keep it gROWE-ing!