What is ROWE?

I read a nice little example of ROWE-based thinking in a recent blog posting. (link to the full article below)

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Pre-ROWE

Manager: “We’ve been working on this strategy for awhile, and I really want you to crack the nut this year.”

Employee: “Got it. I’ll do my best.” [“I have no idea what you’re asking for, but if I show up every day, stay late, and come to you next year with something that I think you might like, I should be okay.”]

Post-ROWE

Manager: “We’ve been working on this strategy for awhile, and I really want you to crack the nut this year.”

Employee: “Let’s define ‘the nut’. How will we know if I’ve cracked it? How will it be measured? What’s ‘meets expectations’ and ‘exceeds expectations’ on cracking the nut?” [“If I can get clear on how to exceed expectations on cracking this nut, I can figure out the activities that will get me there and also plan how I’ll volunteer at my child’s school, coach her basketball team, and take a vacation to Miami.”]

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