Make every day at work feel like Independence Day
Independence Day is here again. It’s a time for celebration, for remembering our freedom fighters, and for feeling a surge of national pride. We see kids in crisp uniforms, hear the beat of drums, and sing our national anthem with a lump in our throats. But when the confetti settles and the celebrations end, do we truly carry the spirit of freedom into our daily lives? Can we make every day feel like Independence Day?
As you savour your morning coffee on this national holiday, consider this: Do the ideals of freedom and independence truly resonate within your workplace? Beyond the tri-colour festivities and patriotic fervour, are employees empowered to think critically, express their opinions, and take ownership of their work? True independence isn't just about celebrating a historical event; it's about fostering an environment where individuals can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Are we truly embracing the spirit of independence within our workplaces? Beyond the annual flag-hoisting ceremonies and patriotic fervour, do employees feel empowered to think critically, innovate, and take ownership of their work? While the nation celebrates its freedom, it's essential to question whether our workplaces are equally liberating. Is independence merely a one-day affair, or a cornerstone of our professional lives?
This Independence Day, organizations have a unique opportunity to liberate their workforce from the shackles of micromanagement. By granting employees autonomy and ownership over their work, companies can foster a culture of innovation, engagement, and loyalty. Research consistently demonstrates that empowered employees are more productive, satisfied, and committed to their organizations. It's time to shift from a command-and-control mentality to one of trust and delegation.
Starting today, give your people the:
Freedom to make decisions
Don’t apply bureaucratic constraints on your people and take away all decision-making powers from them, resting them in the hands of a handful of bosses. Giving people autonomy to take the final call, to choose the projects they want to be a part of can be fruitful. Every business sets out to make profits – the average ones keep citing ‘constraints’ and ‘business needs’ as excuses and can never truly liberate their people; the exemplary ones create an architecture where both people can make their own decisions and the business keeps flourishing. Look no further than Google’s 20 per cent time, where people were given the power to choose which projects they would want to work on 20 per cent of the time.
Freedom to express themselves
Encourage open expression in your workplace by allowing employees to share their true feelings, even if they differ from the organization's popular views. Foster an environment where diverse opinions are welcomed and valued. A company that embraces a range of perspectives, like IDEO, which thrives on the diverse thought processes of its team members, is more likely to prosper.
Freedom to try and experiment
Encourage experimentation by rewarding and recognizing efforts, even when they don’t succeed. For instance, Adobe excels in fostering a culture that celebrates both successes and failures. In an interview with People Matters, Adobe’s former SVP of Customer and Employee Experience discussed how the company acknowledges achievements in R&D, rewards innovative ideas, and funds the pursuit of these ideas.
Freedom to fail and rise again
Fear is a powerful emotion. Powerful enough to stop potential world-changing discoveries, powerful enough that because of its presence, a lot of ideas and innovations don’t see the light of day. Fear of failing, fear of getting rejected, and fear of losing their position in the company, is what have made so many people hesitate and decide not to put their hand up when asked to start something new at the organization. Companies need to give their people an environment where they don’t have the fear of failing and provide them the strength to rise up if they do. That’s how successful ventures are built.
Are your employees truly experiencing freedom at work? If you haven’t created a truly liberating work environment, start now. If you have, continuously strive to improve it. And if it’s already excellent, work to maintain that standard. After all, the sacrifices of past generations are in vain if freedom isn't felt in every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. Pledge to make every day in office an Independence Day!
People Matters wishes you a very Happy Independence Day.