Autonomy: it’s something that everyone says that they want in their job, but how many can deal with it?
Though some may be micromanaged and tasked to deal with bosses day in and day out, their desire for a more independent work environment may be based more in fantasy than in reality.
The truth is, having a boss inspires productivity, though many think that they destroy it. But consider that not everyone is motivated to pull themselves by their own bootstraps, nor are they prepared to deal with self-management for a full work day.
So, as a location-independent worker who sees his boss about once a week, I’ve developed a tactic that helps me keep my manager up to speed, keeps me focused, and serves everyone’s best interests. It’s called the Three Call Rule.
Basically, I can call, text and email my boss no more than three times (combined) in a day.
I will usually call or email him at least once to check in, but beyond that, I manage myself. The two extra calls are in case I have exhausted all possible venues and need his help resolving an issue, or if his input is needed before something is finalized. And it’s worked pretty well.
Instead of going to my boss with every little problem, I only contact him if the issue is one that I cannot solve on my own, which fulfills my need for autonomy. And instead of becoming lazy and complacent through a lack of management and oversight, our communications serve to inspire me to be a more diligent worker.
So if you find yourself in a location-independent situation but are unsure of how to get the most out of it, try the Three Call Rule – it’s simple, effective, and lets you enjoy the advantages of a cubicle-free lifestyle.
