Today, more and more companies are liberating themselves. The rise of the knowledge society and new technologies has led to changes in the way businesses operate. As a result, employees began to demand a new type of working relationship, one that focused on performance and personal growth rather than restrictive hierarchies.
This article will give you an overview of what a liberated company is, why it has become so prevalent today, and the pros and cons of working for it.
⚠️ Read more of my blog posts about tech and business on my personal blog! ⚠️
What is a liberated company?
A liberated enterprise is an organization that has embraced the principles of “free company” with an emphasis shifted from managing resources to managing the people who work there.
The fundamental difference between a liberated company and a conventional company lies in the relationship between employees and management. Conventional organizations are run by the resources they possess, while a liberated business is run by the people who work there. A liberated company is driven by the well-being of its employees and not just by the assets it owns.
The liberated enterprise is driven by relationships, not hierarchies. This shift in focus is what sets it apart from conventional business.
Why do companies free themselves?
The business world has changed dramatically over the past decade, and the traditional workplace is no longer able to meet the challenges of the new competitive environment.
In a world where work organizations are being transformed by the Internet, artificial intelligence and automation, management believes that controlling employees and their time is no longer effective.
The concept of free enterprise is not new. It has been experimented with by hippie communities, tech companies like Google, and New York City taxi drivers since the 1970s. In the 1980s, Japan became the first country to adopt this business model in its entirety to compete with the West, where work structures are very hierarchical.
With economies around the world becoming more service-oriented, the need for creative and collaborative work has increased. As a result, the traditional workplace, driven by the need for efficiency, has been replaced by a freer mode of organization, better able to cope with change.
The advantages of working for a liberated company
Belonging feeling
When you feel like you're part of something and your efforts are appreciated, you're more motivated to work harder. In these companies, you will have the feeling of belonging to a team. Even if you are an individual contributor, you will feel the support of your colleagues because they are there for you.
Personal development
Working in a liberated company means you will have the opportunity to grow, both professionally and personally. There will be no barriers between you and your colleagues. You will have the opportunity to learn from them, and they will be there to help you whenever you need them.
Also, liberated companies often make it possible to change roles and positions. So, it is possible to learn plenty of new skills. And this, even if they are completely unrelated to your core skills.
Increased innovation
When you have the freedom to explore your ideas and share them with your colleagues, you will have the opportunity to innovate. You won't feel like your creativity is limited or that you have to go through hierarchical barriers. Your ideas will be heard and explored by other members of your team, and you can do the same.
Better work-life balance
As work in a liberated company is more organized around individuals, it is easy for the people who work there to achieve a better work-life balance. Since there are no set times or hierarchy, you can decide for yourself when you want to start and finish your work. You will have the opportunity to set your own goals and explore new ideas, as you can collaborate with your colleagues whenever you want.
For example, I sometimes work on weekends or evenings. Not because I'm too busy or not working fast enough. But rather because sometimes I'm not in good shape or not motivated enough during normal working hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday). Truth be told, I work when I'm most productive.
The disadvantages of working for a liberated company
Hierarchy is replaced by bureaucracy
A liberated company is a democratic workplace where there is no hierarchy. Unfortunately, bureaucracy is a natural side effect of this type of organization. To get things done, you will have to go through a bureaucratic process.
By “bureaucracy”, I mean, for example, much more written and oral communication. Since there is no longer a manager who will centralize the information and ensure that it is transmitted to the right people, the information must exist somewhere where everyone can come and consult it.
No fixed hours
While this may sound positive to some people, to others it may be a negative aspect of working in a liberated company. If you're a person who likes to have structure in your life, you might find it difficult to work in a company with no fixed hours.
What allows the balance between work and private life, can also be what will remove this balance. Be careful that this is not the case. Put safeguards in place.
Conclusion
Working for a liberated company can be a great experience, especially if you're someone who enjoys feeling valued and being challenged. If you are passionate about your work and want to feel like part of a team, a liberated company is the perfect place for you.
There are many advantages to working for a liberated company, but there are also disadvantages that you should be aware of. Before accepting a job, make sure you understand the type of company you will be working for.
Top comments (0)