Periodically I share innovative projects and systems that my colleagues or clients are doing to reduce conflict in the workplace and create employee engagement. This post is about a company based in Ann Arbor, MI. It’s fearless leader, Rich Sheridan’s title says it all – “CEO, Chief Story Teller & Tour Guide.” Anna Flynn who is also in the photograph has the following title…“Jack of all Trades.”
Menlo Innovations is a leader in the business value of joy and is passionate about building quality software. They have been voted the 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work numerous times.
The minute I walked in I knew I was not in a “normal” place! There was no receptionist. There were no cubicles. The room was full of people laughing and working together. Rich was right in the middle of all of this and was NOT in a special gold studded office.
The following are just a few of the best practices at Menlo Innovations:
- pairing; no one works alone
- change partners every 5 days
- open and collaborate workspace
- 40 hour work weeks
- pets and babies at work
- making mistakes faster
Menlo’s way of hiring new team members:
Team members and leaders don’t ask any questions to the job applicants. Job applicants are put to work immediately. There are 30-50 people working at the same time during the interview. The applicant experiences what they will be doing if they get hired… to make sure that they like this kind of environment without micro managers. In 20 minutes they switch pairs. This process takes 2 hours.
After they leave employees gather to analyze what they observed. The team discusses whether the job applicants bring out all the best qualities in their partners. The applicant’s job is to make the other applicant look as good as possible.
When they make the cut applicants are invited back for the 2nd interview and get paid for their time. If they make this cut they work for 3 weeks to see if they like the Menlo Way and if Menlo sees a fit.
How does Menlo deal with conflict?
Team members receive feedback from a peer group whenever they request it. When team members have an issue with others they are empowered to take care of this themselves. A factory floor manager gives them strategies if they need extra assistance. Managers don’t get involved.
Check out Joy, Inc: How We Build a Workplace People Love by Richard Sheridan.
Rich offers an inside look at how he removed the fear and ambiguity that typically make a workplace miserable. I will be writing another blog post about Menlo Innovations after I read Joy, Inc.
Check out this video on resources to reduce conflict in the workplace to increase morale at work.
Thoughts From Joyce
I can just hear some of you thinking…”I would love to work at Menlo Innovations” or “This will never work at my company.” Why not? Start with small steps. Reread some of my past posts on how other companies engage their employees.
Let me know what you do to engage your employees to bring JOY at work. When I started my career, leaders told me NOT to have their employees laugh during my presentation. Leaders only wanted serious training to increase productivity. They only wanted me to share strategies. I’m so glad that this archaic thinking has changed. Those of you who know my personality realize that humor is part of my life and every training project. Laughter and getting energy from each other makes a great training session rock!
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Please let others know about these blog posts on reducing conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is experiencing some stress… who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.
Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help others have tough conversations so they get a better night’s sleep.
Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!
jerry says
Your article and interview was AWESOME
Joyce Weiss says
Thanks again, Jerry. Please continue to send me any questions of comments about these articles to improve your working condition. What do you do at your work to keep you employees engaged?