A Flexible Work Future

In an ever changing world there is one conversation that continues to be at the front of how the workplace will evolve. Yes, I am talking about a flexible work environment!?

People would start the conversation and say things like: “We want to be flexible” “If we’re not flexible, we’re going to lose our employees” “People want to work from home”?“People don’t want to come to the office” “People like being at home because it cuts down on the cost of daycare” “Younger employees want the freedom to work from home” etc…

I’m sure you’ve heard or said some of these, or something like it, too.?

The problem is, this puts?flexibility?on a pedestal and elevates it in?a way that makes it nearly impossible to do what is right for the business.

When positioned this way, our only options are to be inflexible, to be restrictive, to deny freedom to be overbearing and the outcome is losing employees.?

Thinking with this mindset creates an inner story that says…I must be flexible at all costs otherwise I’ll be (or the company will be) viewed as operating in the dark ages, behind the times and driving people away.

This thinking creates a prison that we can't get out of.?

Here’s an example:?Let’s say I own a restaurant and a server says they would like to work from home.?They offer to set and clear their table at home a minimum of 6 times throughout the night.?They will also walk by and drop off various dishes and smile at their children.?While this roughly captures the work done by a server everyday, it does not deliver the result for the restaurant.?

Super easy to see, right…. but from the mindset, I must be flexible…we are tempted to make poor decisions for the business because we don’t want to be seen as inflexible.?

It’s critical that we change the inner story and get focused on something more productive.?

Let’s face it.?In every business, there are results that need to be delivered according to the role within the company.

Fair does not mean Equal.

It’s time to unlock the prison and do some real thinking that can produce better results.?

Here are some questions to get you going down a more useful path:

• What does success look like for our company?
• What are the results that need to be produced by each role to achieve that success?
• How will we care for our people as they achieve these results?
• How will we preserve the culture of our company given the decision we’ve made about remote work?
• How can we make this the best thing that has happened to our company?

By asking ourselves, “What is required to be successful in this company?” We will arrive at answers that serve us, our employees and our company so much better.?

Whatever we decide, there will always be the possibility that the decision made does not sit well with everyone.?That's ok, as long as we asked ourselves the question: “What is required for us, and our team, to be successful, in each role, at this time, in this market?” and the answer isn’t, because this is how we’ve always done things around here.?

That thinking is dangerous.?

So we consider the question, use our imaginations to explore options, answer thoughtfully and make decisions that powerfully position us to grow well into the future.

Now when someone questions the decision we can say, “I understand that you would prefer a different model, but this is the direction we are going at this time. I hope you decide to come with us because you (insert specific things they contribute to the team, organization).?Let me know what you decide."

Think about this, let’s say that I love driving on the left side of the road.?It challenges my brain and I find it exhilarating!?I’m fully present when I’m behind the wheel.?My senses are alive and driving becomes something other than mundane.?

Living in America, this is a problem because as a nation, it was decided that we drive on the right side of the road.?If I were to drive on the left because that’s what I want to do, there would be chaos.?

?Some people would be concerned for my safety, some people would avoid me, some would just flip me off and others would question my ability to drive.

The same thing happens in a business.?

You see, I can still choose to drive on the left side of the road, I just need to be in a country where that is the decision that has been made.?

?Not ALL people are meant to work in ALL companies…but there is a company for everyone.

Decide what company you are going to be and bring the drivers in that fit.

About The Author:

Pamela Mumm, is the creator of the?Harmonic Performance Academy?, an Amazon Best Selling Author, a Founding Member of the?Conscious Coaching Academy??and a Founding Member of the John Maxwell training team. She is a nationally recognized Team Development Specialist and a Master Level Executive Coach who is laser focused on increasing resilience, accelerating performance and building harmonious teams that surpass targets. Her greatest reward is watching people elevate their results, be fulfilled at work and create a deeply gratifying life!