Siemens' new remote work policy is a master class in emotional intelligence.
As Covid-19 lingers on, more and more companies are making the move to remote work. One of the members of this new club is Siemens.
Headquartered in Germany, Siemens is one of the largest companies in the world - a member of the Global Fortune 500 with over 380,000 employees. You probably know Siemens for its electronics or appliances, although the company is also a leader in multiple industries including transportation, renewable energy, and medical equipment.
At first glance, Siemens' recent announcement doesn't seem very exciting. Yes, the company is adopting a new model that will allow employees worldwide to work from anywhere they feel comfortable "for an average of two to three days a week." And yes, this is a permanent standard that extends beyond the current pandemic.
But it was the next part of the announcement, direct from incoming CEO Roland Busch (pictured), that really stood out:
"The basis for this forward-looking working model is further development [of] our corporate culture. These changes will also be associated with a different leadership style, one that focuses on outcomes rather than on time spent at the office. We trust our employees and empower them to shape their work themselves so that they can achieve the best possible results. With the new way of working, we're motivating our employees while improving the company's performance capabilities and sharpening Siemens' profile as a flexible and attractive employer."
There is so much good here, but it's worth emphasizing two points:
1. Focus on outcomes rather than time spent in the office.
2. Trust and empower your employees.
Put together, these two points make up a brilliant management strategy founded on emotional intelligence, the ability to make emotions work for you, instead of against you.