When Employees Choose Their How

When employees have the freedom to decide how to do their work satisfaction, retention, and productivity increase. Human beings like to make a difference in the world around them. They want to matter. They want the freedom and satisfaction of having some control over their life and what they do at work. When they feel valued and trusted by being given some freedom to decide how to do their work, they become more productive and loyal.

Organizations want to hire the best employees. They are seeking people who can help the company achieve its goals without handholding, individuals who can solve everyday problems and pivot their focus to meet tight timelines or handle emergencies. Yet, many supervisors voice their frustration when staff stray from the way they were taught to do the job.

The owner of an employment firm whose clients are small family-run businesses explained the dilemma well. His clients want employees who will follow his hour-by-hour instructions on the days he is working, yet, when the owner is on vacation he expects his staff to achieve the same quality and quantity of work and make the same decisions as he would have. We can’t have both worlds.

However, before employees can effectively decide how to do their work, leadership has to prepare them for success. This includes:

• Having and communicating clear company goals and setting the measurable results you expect from each employee
• Defining and communicating company values to guide the employees in their workplace behaviors and decisions
• Assigning employees a right fit position that allows them to use their strengths and interests at work at least part of every day or week
• Equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to do the job well
• Showing them one way that achieves the desired output and coaching them to follow that process to get the desired results

Now, they know why the company exists and what makes it successful. And you and they have evidence that they can achieve the desired results. 

At this point, it is time to give your employees freedom in how to do their job. Many will figure out a tweak to the process that allows them to do their work more quickly. Others will adjust the order of their tasks to match their personal energy levels. Some will come up with a great new idea that reduces the cost of production or provides added value to the customer. They may even solve a workplace problem that has been frustrating their colleagues for years.

And, they will enjoy their work, have some control over their day, like making a difference, and become a long-time value-adding employee. All because you prepared them and trusted them to decide how to do their work.