Freedom is the key to unlocking doors

As we begin July, freedom is on the mind of a lot of folks.

The United States is about to celebrate Independence Day, France will recognize Bastille Day in a few weeks and Belgium’s National Day is near the end of the month.

So this week, I’m writing about what freedom means to you and what you can do to ensure you feel as free as possible in your work life.

Let me start with a story.

I recently met a woman who works at one of the pharma giants.

She’s been there a number of years and has been wildly successful, consistently exceeding all of her goals.

Recently, she was offered a significant promotion, with a much higher salary and more responsibility.

She turned it down. Why?

Because, as she told me, “I would only have control of about 15% of my calendar, versus the 70% I do now.”

That’s it right there. For her, freedom was about running her day in the way she wants - and a way she knows she’ll be successful.

Freedom in our work lives means different things to all of us.

But I look at these six elements as the key determinants of feeling free:

• Decision-making autonomy: You have the authority and trust to make decisions related to your work within your areas of expertise. You can choose the best approach, solve problems, and innovate without unnecessary micromanagement.
• Flexibility and work-life balance: You have flexibility in working hours, remote work options, or flexible scheduling. Your company recognizes that individuals have different needs and responsibilities outside of work and supports a healthy work-life balance.
• Open communication and transparency: You work in an environment that promotes open and transparent communication. People feel free to express their ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of reprisal.
• Personal and professional growth: You are allowed to pursue personal and professional development opportunities that align with your interests and aspirations. This can include training programs, mentorship, or the opportunity to work on stretch assignments that enable growth and advancement.
• Respect for diversity and inclusion: You feel like your workplace respects and embraces diversity. Your organization promotes inclusivity, equal opportunities, and fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
• Encouragement of creativity and innovation: This is huge. You are inspired to think creatively, explore new ideas, and contribute to innovation within your role. You have the space and support to experiment, take calculated risks, and learn from both successes and failures.

To be clear, these elements of freedom apply whether you’ve just joined a company out of college or are the CEO of a multinational corporation.

Anyone that thinks you have more freedom when you get to the top is sadly mistaken.

Chief executives answer to board members, activist shareholders and many others who claw away at those in charge.

But if you are a CEO, I’d ask you to look at the list above and see if your company supports all six elements of freedom. Include the categories in engagement surveys so you can measure progress and improvement.

An employee who feels free is going to produce their best work for you… and enjoy doing it.