More major companies are finding success by creating room for both autonomy and collaboration in the workplace
By Annemarie Allain, '00
You’ve undoubtedly heard “teamwork makes the dream work” or seen a meme about bearing the brunt of the work in group projects. Regardless of your reaction, it’s not hard to relate to both.
It begs the question: Is there a line between workplace autonomy and effective cooperation? If so, how do you carefully walk that line?
Debunking the concept of universal collaboration
According to the Gartner 2021 EVP Employee Survey, nearly half of the 5,000 employees and 77 HR leaders participating wanted “greater control over when, where and how much they work,” and only a third said their current role includes these freedoms. Does this sound familiar?
Major companies like Google, Netflix and Spotify are starting to get the message. They are touting their move toward giving employees a greater say on what they work on and who they work with. The takeaways are clear: employees feeling higher levels of ownership over projects can result in improved retention, increased innovation and more employment engagement.
What does this mean for you?
Asserting independence while remaining an effective team player starts with a candid conversation with your manager. Express your interest in more autonomy and how to get there by demonstrating subject expertise, sharing your accomplishments, taking responsibility for your work (including mistakes) and maintaining a positive attitude.
Once you get the chance to explore your ideas outside of the collective decision-making process, here are five ways to make it work:
Effective communication: Keep your team updated on your progress, and actively listen to their ideas and feedback along the way.
Realistic milestones: Ensure your individual goals seamlessly align with team objectives and contribute to the overall project.
Embracing project management tools: Lean on tools that facilitate communications and help manage tasks amongst the larger group.
Remaining proactive: Independence doesn’t mean you turn your back on the group; continue to foster cooperation by speaking up during team discussions and offering support when needed.
Staying adaptable: Always keep in mind that autonomy and teamwork are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and changes may be needed along the way.
The season of independence
July is the perfect time to reflect on how autonomy and teamwork go hand in hand. Take time to truly understand how your independence contributes to the greater good. Decide what boundaries need to be established to help you walk the line between independence and collaboration in the workplace. Most importantly, remember that neither are all-good nor all-bad — both can increase personal satisfaction, boost confidence and help achieve professional goals.
Want to stay on top of current workplace trends and learn about companies leaning into autonomous work environments? Strike up a conversation with fellow Beaver professionals on OSUConnections.org.