Engineering an Autonomous Work Culture with Marissa Goldberg

10/08/24 • 40 min

Engineering Calmer Agencies & Consulting Firms: Calm is the New KPI

Can we create calm workplaces that are not only remote, but also asynchronous? And can we do it while avoiding micromanaging from afar?

We're continuing in our mini-series on my calmer framework for a calmer business. This week, we're diving into autonomy. Why is autonomy essential for a calmer business? What does an autonomous work environment even look like? And how can you apply some of the best systems and tips for creating an autonomous environment into your own business.

We're joined by remote-work expert, Marissa Goldberg. Marissa has managed distributed team members across 20+ countries and in 2018 founded Remote Work Prep. Remote Work Prep offers Fractional COO services and courses to help companies successfully create healthy, effective remote work environments.

On this episode, we learn how to set up employees to be their best selves and do their best job in an autonomous work environment.

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

What autonomy in a work culture means and why it is essential for building a calm company.
The importance of clear communication, clear expectations, and the need for documentation to support autonomous decision-making.
The necessity of intentional onboarding and training to help employees adapt to an autonomous work environment.
Marissa's tips for managing 'overwhelming freedom' through self-management skills.

Learn more about Marissa Goldberg:

Learn more about me, Susan Boles:

We value your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to share them with Susan here. Your input is not just valuable, it's crucial in shaping future episodes.

Grab the Calm Service Design + Delivery Swipe File here

Can we create calm workplaces that are not only remote, but also asynchronous? And can we do it while avoiding micromanaging from afar?

On this episode, we learn how to set up employees to be their best selves and do their best job in an autonomous work environment.

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

What autonomy in a work culture means and why it is essential for building a calm company.
The importance of clear communication, clear expectations, and the need for documentation to support autonomous decision-making.
The necessity of intentional onboarding and training to help employees adapt to an autonomous work environment.
Marissa's tips for managing 'overwhelming freedom' through self-management skills.

Learn more about Marissa Goldberg:

Learn more about me, Susan Boles:

We value your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to share them with Susan here. Your input is not just valuable, it's crucial in shaping future episodes.

Grab the Calm Service Design + Delivery Swipe File here

Previous Episode

Why Clarity Matters: Creating a Calmer Business Environment

How can defining your business values and success more clearly lead to a calmer operation?

This episode kicks off our miniseries on deconstructing the common elements that all calm businesses share. We're starting with the most foundational element: clarity. Clarity in business is often summarized by a simple yet powerful term: "freedom from ambiguity." In today’s discussion, Susan Boles explores how achieving clarity in your business's values, goals, and communications can lead to more engaged employees, less turnover, and ultimately, a calmer business environment.

Understanding what success looks like and making sure everyone in your organization is on the same page can transform your business operations. Clarity reduces confusion and aligns your team's efforts towards common goals.

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

Why clarity is crucial in defining business success and aligning actions with values.
The impact of clear communication on employee engagement and satisfaction.
Practical tips for enhancing clarity within your team, from onboarding materials to daily communications.
How clarity in roles, expectations, and the bigger company vision can lead to more effective and autonomous decision-making.
Steps you can take today to start improving clarity in your business, including sharing your vision of success and refining internal documentation.

Grab the Calm Service Design + Delivery Swipe File here

(00:00) - E103 - CALMER Solo - Clarity
(00:33) - The Importance of Clarity
(01:52) - Benefits of Clear Communication
(02:59) - Challenges of Achieving Clarity
(05:33) - Steps to Build Clarity
(07:12) - Gradual Process of Improving Clarity

Next Episode

Building Systems of Care with Heather O'Neill

Taking care of people in or around your business isn't the default when it comes to business and what we're taught business should be. How is this way of doing business actually hurting us? And, how can we change our systems to be more authentically people-first?

We're continuing in our mini-series on my calmer framework for a calmer business. This week, we're diving into lens of care and how operating with a lens of care can decrease panic and urgency in our daily work.

We're joined by Heather ONeill, the anti-capitalist business coach for tech and service businesses, and founder of UX consultancy, Pixels for Humans. She puts people over profits and believes that you can make money while doing good.

On this episode, we learn how businesses can prioritize people over profits, especially during challenging times; how to find and build community in an authentic way; and the impact of white supremacy on our default way of doing business.

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

How businesses can measure success beyond revenue and longevity
How care-centric practices contribute to a calmer business environment.
What an anti-capitalist approach can look like in business

Learn more about Heather ONeill:

Learn more about me, Susan Boles:

We value your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to share them with Susan here. Your input is not just valuable, it's crucial in shaping future episodes.

(00:00) - Introduction: Building a Supportive Business Community
(00:28) - Exploring the Elements of a Calm Business
(01:04) - Operating Through a Lens of Care
(02:03) - Challenging Traditional Business Norms
(11:50) - Building Systems of Care in Business
(24:40) - The Power of Community and Relationships
(39:14) - Conclusion: Designing a Sustainable and Calmer Business

Grab the Calm Service Design + Delivery Swipe File here

Engineering Calmer Agencies & Consulting Firms: Calm is the New KPI - Engineering an Autonomous Work Culture with Marissa Goldberg

Transcript

Susan Boles00:00:04.959

Micromanaging is way too much effort for me, and, honestly, it's awful for everyone. It's not good for the team members. It's a huge time suck for the person doing the managing, and oh yeah, it's like the least calm, most toxic way to operate ever. Hey there. I'm Susan Boles, and this is Beyond Margins, the show where we deconstruct how to engineer a calmer business. And right now we're in the middle of a mini series where we're exploring the c