
Fixing Work
A Tale about Designing Jobs Employees Love
By David G. Henkin,
Published 09/2023
About the Author
David G. Henkin and Thomas Bertels are renowned experts in organizational design and employee engagement. Henkin, a consultant and advisor, has dedicated his career to creating high-performance work environments that foster employee satisfaction and productivity. Bertels, with a background in engineering and process improvement, has focused on optimizing workflows and operational efficiency. Their combined expertise provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the critical issues facing modern workplaces.
Main Idea
Fixing Work: A Tale About Designing Jobs Employees Love presents a novel-like narrative that addresses the pressing issues of low employee engagement, high turnover, and overall dissatisfaction in the workplace. Through the story of Jerry, the protagonist, Henkin and Bertels illustrate practical solutions for designing jobs that are productive, meaningful, and fulfilling. They argue that work needs to be fundamentally redesigned to meet human needs, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, feedback, and meaningfulness in job design.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Rise and Shine
- Business as Unusual
- Empty Cans Rattle
- Unexpected Encounter
- The Hard Way
- Show Me the Numbers
- Scraping the Barrel
- Hot Potatoes
- The Gift
- Breaking the Mold
- Wind in the Sail
- Going Far
- New Beginnings
- Lessons Learned
- Bullets Flying
- All In
- Show Me the Money
- Paths Forward
- Conclusion
Introduction
The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the significant disconnect between current job designs and what employees truly value in their work. Research shows that employees seek meaningful work, autonomy, and feedback, yet few organizations have integrated these elements into their job structures. Henkin and Bertels emphasize the need for a shift from traditional, fragmented workflows towards a more holistic approach that enhances employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.
Rise and Shine
Jerry, the protagonist, begins his day already behind schedule, illustrating the common chaos and inefficiencies in many workplaces. His interaction with Bellamy, the sales VP, and the resignation of Julia, his best hire, underscore the urgency of addressing the fundamental issues plaguing their work environment. These events set the stage for the transformative journey Jerry embarks on.
- Addressing inefficiencies requires a shift in mindset and approach.
- Recognizing the signs of a broken system is the first step towards improvement.
- Employee resignations often indicate deeper systemic issues that need to be addressed.
Business as Unusual
The story continues with Jerry facing a major product interface problem, exemplifying how constant firefighting and short-term fixes often lead to long-term challenges. The pressure of a growing backlog and the lack of meaningful solutions highlight the need for a strategic overhaul of work processes.
- Short-term fixes can create bigger problems in the long run.
- A strategic overhaul of processes is necessary for sustainable improvement.
- Identifying root causes is crucial for effective problem-solving.
Empty Cans Rattle
Reflecting on his schoolteacher's advice, Jerry realizes the importance of valuable communication. This chapter delves into the ineffective workflows and the need for transparent, meaningful dialogue within teams. Jerry's decision to be honest with Bellamy marks the beginning of a more open and constructive approach to problem-solving.
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