Treat them like adults.
That’s the simplest, cheapest and smartest way to deal with people.
Evernote gives their employees unlimited vacation time and a thousand dollar spending stipend to boot. Because they know that trust is cheaper than control. Don’t make attendance a form of punishment.
Commerce Bank allows their employees to kill any stupid rule that stands in the way of pleasing customers. Because they know service is more important than policy. Don’t demand their mindless compliance.
My friend Jessica, a social justice educator, insists that her students send texts during class. Because she understands it’s their lifeline to the universe. Don’t police cell phone usage.
Twitter keeps their users in the know with a detailed system status log and a corporate blog. Because they respect people’s time and patience. Don’t neglect elementary feedback loops.
My friend’s ad agency has a rule that you can be up to an hour late to work, as long as you bring donuts for the rest of the team. Because they know people had lives outside of the office. Don’t obsess over the clock.
It’s time to grow up and treat people like adults.
That’s all they want.
