How the “Boss Button” Makes Us Feel
March 29th, 2008 by Cali & Jody
First things first. We were pleased to see Louisville and Xavier advance. If Kansas, Memphis, Stanford and Davidson can get it done tonight then our brackets will look quite healthy. We cool?
Lately, when we’re not bringing American productivity to its knees by talking about basketball, we’re thinking about how people are freaking about how the NCAA tournament is bringing down American productivity. We liked this piece on the “boss button” from CNET News, especially the author’s self-deprecating self-assessment as “either a boss people can be honest with or a boss who doesn’t exactly strike fear into the rank and file.”
But even though the boss button is a kind of a joke, its very existence makes us feel . . . well . . . kind of embarrassed. The idea that a grownup can’t spend a few minutes checking scores and highlights out of fear of being scolded is not only ridiculous, it’s insulting. It makes us think of permission slips and hall passes and the word “tardy”.
What do you have to accomplish before you’re allowed to be in control of your life?
How old do you have to be before you can be trusted?
And most important of all, is UNC going to win it all?
That is really what a ROWE is all about, isn’t it? Mutual respect. Lately, when I attempt to explain or “push” a ROWE to co-workers, friends, and family, I have been focusing more on the premise of maturity, responsibility, accountability, and self sufficiency. It is sad to admit, but some people actually believe those attributes would disappear without the over-the-shoulder monitoring, not guiding, of a superior or boss.
I truly feel the current structure has brain trained a fair share of the work force into thinking one could not exist, function, or be productive without it.
In a ROWE environment your argument is perfectly acceptable, its based on people being able to manage themselves, but in a non-rowe environment where people are paid hourly, they are often to irresponsible with this type of lead way. Sure, a few minutes here and there is fine and we shouldn’t have to be afraid of being fired for taking a few minutes here and there to ourselves, but I witness every day employees slacking off every chance they get.. and in an hourly pay environment thats a problem.
Also, Memphis will be taking home the the Champions net.
Aaron,
Respectfully, all workers (salaried and hourly) are expected to produce results. If an employee is not achieving organizational objectives, and the organization (manager, supervisor, etc.) is aware of this, I fault the organization. Where are the accountability measures? Metrics?
Don’t confuse personal responsibility (a ROWE) with leniency. In a ROWE, one is expected to produce - it’s the “means to achieve” that is at the center of the ROWE philosophy.
A ROWE or not, if one is not producing, corrective action is required (and yes, this sometimes means termination).