Have we mentioned that we’re very pleased about how our book turned out?

Well, we are pleased, especially with the stories that bookend the chapters. These “Voices from a ROWE” really make the book, because it’s not just what we say and think about ROWE, but what real people have experienced with ROWE.

Just check out this excerpt from Ami’s section:

A ROWE gives everyone the power to question value. It doesn’t take long for you to realize how strange it is that we weren’t going this before. Why weren’t we constantly questioning before? You have ten people in a meeting but only two people talking back and forth. Why am I here? Because I received an invitation. Outlook has ruined productivity. It’s just a joke. So what if someone is quadruple booked? You used to think that person was important. But now you look at that person and wonder what kind of value they could possibly be adding?

Now we’re in different places working at different times so communication sharpens. You get clearer about expectations and deadlines. And you are constantly figuring out the best way to work with one another, which is funny because you think you’re doing that already, but you’re not. That’s the paradox of ROWE. You used to think that we all have to get together to get this work done. Now maybe the answer is that we have to all separate to get things done. Then when we are together it’s strategic instead of assumed. It’s purposeful.

You see, friends, we’re not the only ones who are crazy about ROWE.

Those of you that have read the book, which “Voice from a ROWE” was your favorite? 

There’s nothing even remotely official yet, but we thought you’d like to know that we’re talking to a number of producers about bringing the drama of the Results-Only Work Environment to TV viewers everywhere.

Did we say drama?

Yes, we did.

Life gets easier once a team has migrated from a traditional work environment to a Results-Only Work Environment. When you eradicate Sludge and start focusing on results, people have an easier time at work. The tasks can still be challenging, but the work culture helps you solve problems instead of compounding them with nonsense.

That said, getting from a traditional work environment to a ROWE would make for some great TV. Here’s why:

1. People will fight to the death defending their beliefs, even if those beliefs don’t serve their best interests

We see this a lot. Leaders, managers, and rank-and-file employees get all red and hot resisting ROWE. We can’t let our people just do whatever they want! It’ll be anarchy!

2. People get incredibly emotional

It’s not unusual for people to tear up or break down in a migration session. Managers realize they’ve been treating their employees like dirt. Employees realize they’ve been wasting their lives stuck in a cube, and for what?

3. People undergo intense personal transformations

That hardcore, drill-sergeant manager turns into the most supportive work partner you’ve ever seen. The meek employee stands up to her boss when he gives her unnecessary work. The kind of boring coworker . . . well, he’s still kind of boring, but he’s got hobbies now and he’s getting more interesting!

4. Work gets done like never before

Okay, this last one wouldn’t make for good TV, but it does make for good business.

Stay tuned . . . .

Thanks to Michael Salamey for interpreting the Workplace Signs with such gusto and verve:

These posters endorse conformity to a status quo of Mediocrity. The basic premise of all three is, “Do not make (me/ everyone else) look bad”. The last poster especially, in the guise of promoting politeness and courtesy, in actuality insinuates that out-performing or not conforming to “the way things are done around here” can be just cause for revenge.

Further, these posters exploit the lack of recognition that should be granted for producing results. They foster a mentality of cynicism and promote an “Us versus Them” attitude, coyly stating that regardless of how well you perform, “no one else will notice”. (But then, why would anyone notice if the favorite activities of subordinates include “running down the boss”, “dodging responsibility”, and “pushing their luck”)?

Despite being sometimes humorous, these types of posters/ sayings/ quotes, etc. are perpetuated, frankly, by those who would fear things like a “Results-Only Work Environment”. Who could blame them? It would be terrifying for someone whose apparent success has come by “putting in the time” and getting to know “the right people”, to have a truth uncovered—a truth about themselves they may not have even been present to.

In a ROWE, lack of ability to produce results is clearly and obviously detectable. What CEO with a sixth-grade reading level (I have met many) would not fear that? Indeed, the cynicism of these posters is the cynic’s natural defense to keep their (glaring) secret covered… even to themselves.

Yup. That’s pretty much it. Michael, your book is on the way.