Effectual Working

Book Review: Why Work S***s and How To Fix It by Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson

I eagerly awaited my copy of this book. Like many others, I want to have control of all my life. I don’t see any reason why a Results Only Work Environment (ROWE) can’t work at my work.

I will state up front that I have the hardest time with some of the language in the book, including the title. I just don’t use these words in my life and have a difficult, if not impossible time, saying them. Sure, I used to cuss back in my junior high days, but there was a point when I gave up that kind of talk. I won’t speculate why this kind of language was used, but it is my opinion that it will hurt adoption of ROWE in many organizations.

That being said, I am working in my organization to implement and promote the concepts of ROWE. I have challenged my own assumptions about work and how to measure it. Certainly, results are what are really important. I am able to telework one day a week. This has taken some pressure off my life. However, I would like complete control over when and how I do my work. I see the need in my team and colleagues, too. They are all trying to juggle life, work, and expectations. It would be much better if they could decide how and when to do their work, as long as they produce results. Results – it’s what every manager should want from their organization.

Cali and Jody do a great job of taking the reader through the changes at Best Buy. They also discuss the benefits of ROWE to both the employer and employee. The discussion of sludge is especially good. Any team will benefit from removing sludge. It is also good to hear about how ROWE has impacted people through the Voices from a ROWE sections after each chapter.

Finally, the total focus on results is the key to everything. Yes, a lot of what goes on in the workplace is looking busy. It always amazes me how little of the traditional workday is productive and how little of the communication is truly effective. In a ROWE individuals have control over their time and are measured by results. They now become focused on the important, communicate better, and are more productive.

I recommend, what I refer to as “The Introduction to ROWE Book” with the caution I stated above about the language. The book is packed with great ideas which should prompt valuable discussions. I hope that many workplaces will transform themselves into Results Only Work Environments. If they don’t, the world may just go there anyway.