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Business Human Resources Boss Free Company Valve Corporation Case Study

 

In this chapter, we described employee motivation.  However, sometimes organizations think way outside the box to achieve this. 

For example, Valve Corporation, a video game maker in Bellevue, Washington, has been “boss free” since its founding in 1996.  The company has no managers or assigned projects.  Instead, its 300 employees recruit colleagues to work on projects they think are worthwhile.  The company prizes mobility, so workers’ desks are mounted on wheels, allowing them to move around and form work areas that work best for the project team.  The person who comes up with a new project idea, then recruits other employees to join the team, may become the de facto manager or lead.

Valve Corp believes that when you give smart, talented people the freedom to create without fear of failure, amazing things happen.  They see it every day at Valve.  In fact, some of their best insights have come from their biggest mistakes and they are okay with that.  Since 1996, this approach has produced award-winning games, leading edge technologies, and a groundbreaking social entertainment platform.  They are always looking for creative risk takers who can keep that streak alive.

Click “reply” to submit and post your responses to the following questions:

  • A majority of American workers are not engaged or actively engaged with their work.  What do you think of this boss-free concept of work?  What human needs or factors does this concept speak to or satisfy?  Do you think it can have a positive impact on this issue?  
  • How would you go about hiring employees for this type of environment, ensuring that they are meeting organizational goals, and lastly, what if they are not meeting the goals?
  • Do you think you would thrive in a work environment such as this?  Why or why not?