Google understands that an employee who can focus on their work will do a better job.
"The goal is to strip away everything that gets in our employees way. We provide a standard package of fringe benefits, but on top of that are first-class dining facilities, gyms, laundry rooms, massage rooms, haircuts, carwashes, dry cleaning, commuting buses - just about anything a hardworking employee engineer might want. Let's face it: programmers want to program, they don't want to do their laundry. So we make it easy for them to do both."
- Eric Schmidt, CEO Google
You can remove obstacles from your employees’ paths too. Maybe they are fed up with having to ask for permission. Give them the freedom to purchase something they need as long as it’s under $50 and they hand in a receipt and the reason that they needed it. If you can eliminate some of the red tape that frustrates them you’ll be removing pain and creating a happier employee.
The easier you make it for your employees to be productive, the more that they will get done.
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I'm a fan of empowerment.
In today's world, you don't get things done by authority. You get things done by unleashing people and reducing friction.
Hi Karl, due to the horrible economy my company laid people off and put a freeze on merit raises until at least May. I want them to make it up to the employees who are doing more work without a raise. I have suggested cheap ways to do that by relaxing dress codes, more flexible hours, more telecommuting, etc. So far nothing. 🙁
Hi J.D., when we let people be their true selves and get out of the way, they will do great work.
Hi Stephen, they sound like really good suggestions. I can feel how frustrated you are. Maybe some facts to back up why your suggestions will work. I'll try to put a post together in the next few weeks and pass it on to you.