History’s most innovative ideas all have one thing in common – the innovator(s) eventually overcame the objections of those who thought they were out of their minds.
At CultureRx, we’ve helped companies all over the world overcome what some believe just isn't possible. Today, we’re here to help you overcome common C-Suite objections that you may run into when presenting the concept of adopting 100% accountability to measurable results and 100% autonomy, aka a ROWE.
Understanding C-Suite Objections to a ROWE
So, you want to turn company culture on its head by unshackling everyone from their desks and letting autonomy run wild? Preposterous!
If history has taught us anything, it’s that presentation is often everything. Introducing your higher-ups to the concept of a Results-Only Work Environment is no different.
We’ll be the first to admit that the idea of a ROWE can initially sound alarming – and we’re literally the ones who came up with it.
That’s why, as you head into the C-Suite, it’s important to remember any objections that you may have had yourself when you first heard about the concept of a ROWE. 
Go ahead, write them out. We’ll wait. You may discover that reviewing common concerns about issues like productivity, collaboration, and accountability will turn out to be your smartest move yet.
It can help you reframe your pitch in a way that includes answers to common objections before anyone even has a chance to voice them. You’ll be able to highlight the proven benefits of ROWE, such as:
- The huge impact a positive company culture can have on talent attraction and retention.
- How pairing 100% autonomy with 100% accountability has proven to boost employee engagement, productivity, and innovation.
- ROWE’s proven track record for increasing employee collaboration and communication, all while eliminating wasteful policies and procedures.
- Adopting a ROWE allows management to concentrate on guiding employees to produce outstanding results instead of enforcing outdated rules.
Download our free guide to 5 Key Messages for Leadership for more great tips on crafting the perfect approach to convincing your company to Go ROWE!
Common C-Suite Questions and How to Address Them
We get it – overhauling your company culture is a huge step, no matter how amazing the results prove to be. That’s why it’s only natural that your company leaders will have questions.
Not to worry. Here’s a handy guide to several common C-Suite objections, complete with great answers you can use to quell company fears.
1. How can we ensure that employees remain accountable for their work and meet deadlines in a ROWE?
Answer: While a ROWE emphasizes autonomy, it’s just as much about accountability. Each employee must have clear performance expectations and goals to ensure that everyone knows exactly what they are responsible for and by when. With regular check-ins, progress updates, and feedback mechanisms, autonomy has been shown to increase employee engagement and on-time project delivery.
2. Won't a lack of physical presence affect team collaboration and communication?
Answer: Shoving people into the same building for 40 hours a week doesn’t necessarily guarantee collaboration. In a ROWE, the focus is always on generating a positive outcome. When meetings are scheduled, whether online or in-person, they’ll be more productive, focused, and collaborative than ever before.
3. How do we measure productivity without traditional time-tracking?
Answer: For far too long, we’ve been paying people to sit at desks for a certain amount of time each week, not for what they’re accomplishing. Adopting a ROWE will force us to develop strong key performance indicators (KPIs) that are tied to achieving goals and results. It’s time to start measuring each employee’s value based on their contributions instead of their timecard.
4. What about roles that require constant availability, like client-facing positions?
Answer: This too goes back to clear accountability to measurable results. Specific goals and outcomes may vary based on each position. But when each employee understands the outcomes, they are expected to achieve, they’ll be free to utilize their own best methods for success.
5. Will a ROWE lead to employees feeling isolated or disconnected?
Answer: Clarity of purpose and accountability actually increases collaboration. The more time you spend defining measurable results and what success looks like, the more collaboration will naturally follow.
6. How can we ensure a consistent company culture in a distributed work environment?
Answer: First, we have to ask ourselves how we are currently defining company culture. A ROWE creates a company culture built on trust, collaboration, and innovation, where every employee feels valued. As we undergo a company-wide shift in mindset, we’ll be able to define and embrace our company culture like never before, regardless of where people are working.
Want to discover even more answers to common ROWE-related questions? Look no further than our free Yeah, Buts survival guide!
Showcasing the Power of Autonomy and Accountability
We live in an era when employers are scrambling to find the secret ingredient to employee motivation, creativity, and productivity. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the rise of plenty of hybrid and flexible work environments, many of which turned out to be outdated policy-driven work models in disguise.
Rest assured that embracing a ROWE has nothing to do with allowing people to work from home a few days a week or giving employees Friday afternoons off. At CultureRx, we’ve helped companies all over the world enjoy the very real benefits of creating a culture of accountability that complements the autonomy-driven ROWE approach. 
We’ve watched as our clients achieved remarkable results, such as a 168% ROI from increased productivity or a 90% boost in net income. We’ve seen business revenues triple over the course of three years and employee stress levels plummet as motivation and engagement surged.
The ROWE approach isn’t just another fad – it's an innovative workplace model designed for the 21st century. Sign up for our free Tale of Two Hybrids Webinar to find out more about the social science-backed benefits of adopting a ROWE.
Navigating the Transition to a ROWE
Whether you’d like more great tips on introducing your employers to ROWE or are ready to take the plunge and Go ROWE today, CultureRx has got your back. As the founders of the Results-Only Work Environment, our team has the expertise you need to embark on a company-wide transformation.
Don’t hesitate to contact us today to find out more about how adopting a ROWE can help you attract and retain talent, all while fostering a company culture of autonomy, accountability, and outstanding results.