[Fredslist] 7 Tips on Flexibility - Organizational Effectiveness e-Alert - September

Fri Sep 30 09:53:16 EDT 2005

Welcome to
Phyllis Weiss Haserot's

Organizational Effectiveness Issue of the Month

September 2005

INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO THE FLEXIBILITY BARGAIN - 7 TIPS

Your firm agrees to your proposal and business plan for an alternative to the traditional office workplace arrangement, whether it be flexibility in hours, work location, or roles performed.

Great so far! Now what are the ingredients of your commitment to make the arrangement work for the firm, your clients, and for your client team?

* Make yourself available for in person meetings or phone conferences whenever really necessary for client work or for discussion of management issues and training commitments.

* Be willing, whenever really necessary to trade-off time required on a matter for time off at another time when your service is less urgently required.

* Check in regularly with your supervisor and client teams, report status of your work, get matter updates from others so that everyone is current on the status of work and what has to be done.

* Keep accurate time and task records and submit them promptly.

* Err on the side of over-communication rather than be perceived to be out of touch. Check voicemail and e-mail when not in the office.

* Adhere to the business plan you submitted and agreed to with your practice group leader.

* Don't emphasize or draw attention to your family or other out-of-office responsibilities. Just take care of your commitments quietly.

When you operate on a basis that diverges from the norm (whatever that is), there will always be some people who can be uncomfortable, even resentful, of your arrangement, often for no rational reason. To avoid any kind of stigma and push back, create the perception that you are always accessible within reason. Don't let anyone be able to say truthfully, "He's rarely in the office, so I can't talk with him about my problem." By choice or not, you will be perceived as a role model and case study for others to follow.

It's a juggling act, but it can be done. And success at it will breed success and further opportunity for flexibility.

Please send me your thoughts, experiences, and questions. What is your most challenging organizational effectiveness issue? What most urgently needs resolving? What strategies have you seen work best?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Phyllis

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For training, coaching and special programs on maximizing the potential of your organization and your young professionals, call Phyllis for an exploratory talk or complimentary coaching session at 212-593-1549. See www.pdcounsel.com/nextgen.html and www.pdcounsel.com/about.html Now we offer compelling programs and transition planning services for senior professionals ._______________________________________________________________________________ 

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Phyllis Weiss Haserot
Practice Development Counsel
Consulting/Coach to the Next Generation
Creator of * Next Generation, Next Destination*
 and *The Flexible Firm*

Voice: 212-593-1549
Fax: 212-980-7940
pwhaserot at pdcounsel.com 
please visit: www.pdcounsel.com 
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