A few months ago, I wrote about the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), as well as how sludge causes negativity in the workplace.
Just as a quick review, here are definitions for the terms I mentioned above:
- Results-Only Work Environment—A management philosophy/strategy created by two former Best Buy HR managers, Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson. According to their Web site, CultureRX, ROWE is a work environment “where your talent [employees] will show up energized, disciplined, fluid, flexible and focused; always ready to deliver the results necessary to drive your business. ROWE is a bold, cultural transformation that permeates the attitudes and operating style of an entire workplace, leveling the playing field and giving people complete autonomy as long as the work gets done.”
In a ROWE, people can do “whatever they want, whenever they want, as long as work gets done,” Ressler and Thompson say.
- Sludge—“The toxic language that judges people for how they spend their time. It’s based on old beliefs about how work should happen,” according to Ressler and Thompson. Examples of Sludge include a manager/business owner/employee saying to (or about) another employee or co-worker: “Wow, 10 a.m. and you’re just getting here? Wish I had your schedule;” “Nice of you to join us today;” “Heather left early again; she’s definitely not working 40 hours.” “You’ll never get promoted around here if you don’t start coming in by 8 a.m. and working 40 hours.”
As a Gen Yer, I am a HUGE advocate for ROWE. I see it as the future of the workplace, and as a way for employees and employers to finally achieve a work-life balance that actually works.
Because I am such a huge advocate for ROWE, I talk about it a lot to the people around me, especially to my boyfriend, Joe.
Spreading ROWE
Joe is taking a Business Speech class in college this semester, and he was so intrigued by the idea of ROWE that he wrote and presented an informative speech about it for his class.
Currently, the students are working on giving persuasive speeches, and during class last week, one of them raised his hand and asked the professor—and Joe—if it was OK that he do his persuasive speech on ROWE. He told Joe that he was so impressed by how outstanding ROWE is, that he wants to teach more people about it.
Also, something I wrote about ROWE was forwarded on to an Account Executive who was interested in reading more about it. She ended up then turning around and researching the topic more so she could talk to her clients about it.
I think the fact that ROWE is spreading like wildfire means three things:
- My prediction about ROWE being the future of the workplace is accurate (and hopefully not in the too far-off future);
- People are ready for a better and more efficient way to work;
- Someday a real work-life balance will exist for employees/employers everywhere.
If this Insight piqued your interest about the Results-Only Work Environment, please check out the following additional resources:
And please make sure you spread the news…the more people who know about ROWE, the better it will be for everyone.