Companies leveraging technology to grant employees increased self-determination
In the rapidly evolving world of work, some companies are shifting towards a more autonomous and decentralized approach to management. This shift is not only being embraced by tech giants like Google and GitHub, but also by a variety of other organisations, as highlighted in a recent article published in both "MITSMR" and "HBR" in 2022/01.
Companies such as Flexopus, Zapier, mhplus, Google, and Microsoft are leading the way in this transformation. Flexopus, for instance, offers a software platform that empowers employees to design their work environment by booking workstations, meeting rooms, and parking spots independently. This flexibility not only boosts productivity but also fosters autonomy in goal setting, meeting scheduling, and budget control.
Zapier, known for its asynchronous workflows and automation tools, empowers employees with unlimited paid time off, personal development funds, and flexible work arrangements. These measures foster autonomy in work scheduling and task management.
mhplus, a German health insurance fund, uses the Flip employee app to improve communication and digital onboarding among distributed teams. By reducing meetings by 25% and enabling employees to manage workflows more independently within an integrated IT environment, mhplus is demonstrating how technology can support autonomy and decentralize traditional management hierarchies.
Google, too, is a champion of employee empowerment. The company sets clear goals but trusts employees to own and execute their work, leveraging digital tools to support autonomy and decentralized decision-making.
Microsoft is also leveraging AI and digital technologies to transform the employee experience, aiming to increase flexibility and employee control over their work processes within a more decentralized management structure.
However, leading a hybrid workforce is a delicate balance. Team leaders need to ensure onsite and hybrid members work together and spend time in the office. Accommodating work times for a hybrid workforce could lead to complicated scheduling. Companies are also recalling employees back to the office, with some mandating certain days in the office.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of fostering employee autonomy and decentralizing management are clear. Allowing autonomy helps employees boost creativity and feel ownership over their work, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. These companies are setting a powerful example for the future of work.
- Flexopus, Zapier, Google, Microsoft, and others are utilizing technology in business to promote autonomy, enabling employees to design work environments, schedule meetings, control budgets, and manage tasks independently.
- Companies like mhplus are using technology to improve communication, digital onboarding, and workflows among distributed teams, demonstrating how tech can support autonomy and decentralize traditional management, while fostering productivity and job satisfaction.
