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ROWE Is Success

Sep 6, 2011 » by Michael Barata

Oh, you courageous rebel rousers you.

I know talking about ROWE can be frustrating. I know explaining ROWE can feel like it’s you against the entire world of work. I also know every one of those conversations is necessary.

Funny thing, I still go through the pains and strains of explaining ROWE during migrations and even with people closest to me. Yes, it can be difficult, but so damn worth it!

Hopefully, this post can help you moving forward. When someone asks you about ROWE or how ROWE works, simply respond that “ROWE is success.”

ROWE is success.

ROWE is all about the individual discovering their “sweet spot” for delivering results in the most productive way. Instead of people getting sucked into the status quo blackhole, people understand what is expected of them and determine the best approach for achieving outcomes. People take control of their professional responsibilities.

ROWE is success.

The unique circumstances of an individual’s life can never be accounted for by a policy or a rule. ROWE does not waste time on stuff like that. The driver of ROWE is results. ROWE gives people the freedom to focus on all of life’s priorities.

With a ROWE mindset, professional accomplishments and personal fulfillment feel good. You don’t have to pit one against the other. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. So, the next time someone gives you a hard time about ROWE, just ask them “What is success?”

ROWE is success.

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  • http://twitter.com/ProcrastWriter Jennifer Blanchard

    I fight every single day to bring ROWE to light for companies. I aim to talk about ROWE to one person every single day. Yes, most of the time it feels like me against the whole workplace, but I keep fighting, keep on putting ROWE out there and keep on putting myself out there as a ROWE supporter. I will not quit until I am working in a ROWE!!!

    • Michael Barata

      LOVE your enthusiasm and support, Jennifer! Your determined voice is exactly what helps grow the ROWE movement. Thank you for being so awesome!

  • http://twitter.com/ThoughtFuser Michael Barata

    LOVE your enthusiasm and support, Jennifer! Your determined voice is exactly what helps grow the ROWE movement. Thank you for being so awesome!

  • Anonymous

    I would amend this catchphrase. There are many ways to be successful in business, but ROWE seems to be about “actual” success rather than “perceived success.”

    I’m reminded of security expert Bruce Schneier’s comment on the efforts of the Transportation Security Administration at US airports: “This is not security, it’s security theater.”

    Many work environments appear successful at first glance. ROWE makes success most important with a genuine focus on results. So ROWE is “actual success” instead of just “success theater.” It’s about the difference between mere activity and genuine progress.

    • Michael Barata

      Hey Robbie-

      Thanks for offering up your thoughts. Because ROWE is not big on gimmicks, I don’t believe the statement to be a catchphrase. ROWE is success because the standard is based on crystal clear expectations being set by organizations AND employees delivering those results.

      In any business, that would be success.

      Because ROWE is not about optics, things like perceptions, assumptions, and judgements are non-factors. Results determine success.

    • Michael Barata

      Hey Robbie-

      Thanks for offering up your thoughts. Because ROWE is not big on gimmicks, I don’t believe the statement to be a catchphrase. ROWE is success because the standard is based on crystal clear expectations being set by organizations AND employees delivering those results.

      In any business, that would be success.

      Because ROWE is not about optics, things like perceptions, assumptions, and judgements are non-factors. Results determine success.

    • KellyK

      ROWE is actual success instead of just success theater.  I love it!

  • airquest

    Hi, I just bought the book, haven’t read it yet, but a question already came into my mind. I would like to know if it is possible to make a rowe environment for people who work in service-for-clients businesses, like shops for example. How can you manage to make a cashier chose his schedule. Doesn’t he have to be present to serve clients at precise hours of the day ? When you manage a shop or a supermarket, I think there is no way you can go rowe. Is there something about that in the book ?
    Thanks.

    • Stacey Swanson

      Great to meet you! I am part of CultureRx and LOVE your question.  The focus of ROWE is Results.  If you think about your personal retail experiences- I am sure you can think of good and bad.  For me, the bad experiences stand out where the retail employees is just “putting in their time.”  They aren’t focus on the customer, or what they need.  In a ROWE, an organization is focused clearly on results.  Everyone is on the same page as to the outcome they are working to achieve.  Think of ROWE as results, not working remotely.  If someone needs to be in a particular location to meet an outcome, they will.  Enjoy the book, and if you have other questions, let us know!