Fostering autonomy and fairness improves employee commitment and performance in hybrid work environments.
Strong leadership sponsorship and effective communication are crucial for successful implementation of hybrid work strategies.
Akamai Technologies emphasizes the principles of growth mindset to support employees in navigating the challenges of hybrid work and shaping the future of flexible workplaces.
Deep dives
Cultivating autonomy and fairness for better employee commitment and performance
Research shows that fostering a sense of autonomy and fairness within organizations can significantly improve employee commitment and performance. However, leaders often struggle to adjust to new management habits. In this podcast episode, leaders from Akamai Technologies share how they harnessed growth mindset to develop a global flex-based talent strategy, providing a case study on making hybrid work successful. Through the Growth Mindset series, the importance of belief, inclusion, and decision-making without bias is emphasized. The podcast delves into the history of the program, the design principles behind it, and the reactions and challenges faced during its rollout. The ultimate goal is to help leaders navigate the complexities of hybrid work, create inclusive workspaces, and drive performance amidst changing circumstances.
Navigating the shift to hybrid work and building a flexible workplace strategy
As companies navigate the shift to hybrid work, Akamai Technologies has launched the FlexBase program, which provides employees with the choice to work at office or flexibly depending on their roles and work requirements. The program promotes flexibility, equity, and growth mindset, recognizing that employees have different needs and preferences. Akamai Technologies has worked on training and communication initiatives to effectively manage the transition to hybrid work, ensuring that leaders and managers understand their roles in supporting employees and maintaining performance. The program also addresses concerns around fairness and offers avenues for feedback and continuous improvement.
The role of leadership and communication in successful hybrid work implementation
Strong leadership sponsorship is critical for a successful hybrid work implementation. Executives at Akamai Technologies championed workplace transformation as a top priority, providing active support and making decisions collaboratively with the project team. Through regular checkpoints and engagement with the team, leaders contributed to creating a transparent and inclusive program. Communication played a vital role in building belief and fostering a growth mindset. The FlexBase program was carefully communicated through change agents, training modules, narratives, and conversations. Feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and discussion forums, facilitated ongoing conversations with employees, ensuring their voices were heard and their input directly influenced the program's development.
Addressing challenges and maintaining performance in a hybrid work environment
Transitioning to a hybrid work environment presents challenges and concerns around performance management and fairness. Akamai Technologies has established practices and training programs for managers to effectively handle performance issues and set clear expectations. Managers are encouraged to communicate openly with employees and understand their needs and preferences. The company acknowledges the importance of fairness and provides support and recognition to employees with office requirements. Additionally, continuous feedback, training refreshers, and resources empower employees to navigate the changes and make informed choices about their work arrangements. Akamai Technologies focuses on the positive aspects of hybrid work, such as increased flexibility and expanded talent pools.
Learning and growth mindset as foundations for successful hybrid work
Akamai Technologies has implemented a comprehensive growth mindset program, including the Grow pathway and the Activate module, to ensure that the principles and habits of growth mindset become ingrained within the organization's culture. The company emphasizes the importance of autonomy, inclusion, decision-making without bias, and ongoing learning to support employees in a hybrid work environment. Training sessions, video series, and online resources help employees and managers adapt to the new work dynamics and build effective collaborations. Akamai Technologies encourages experimentation, open communication, and continuous improvement, allowing employees to have a say in shaping the future of hybrid work and ensuring a successful transition for all.
As companies navigate the complex world of hybrid work, our research shows that cultivating a sense of autonomy and fairness across your organization can significantly improve employee commitment and performance. But while it can be easy to understand this in theory, in practice, many leaders find it difficult to adjust to new management habits.
In the next installment of our growth mindset series, we'll connect with leaders from Akamai Technologies to explore how they've harnessed growth mindset to build out their global flex-based talent strategy providing a case study in how to make hybrid work at your organization.
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