Perhaps the way to an employee’s success is through self direction. The concept of autonomous work has become increasingly common, and it involves bosses giving their employees freedom to take the lead of their own job.

Some 80% of Fortune 100 companies are demonstrating it through hackathons. Meta often runs events where employees are given time to work on whatever they want, and this was actually where some significant Facebook features — including the like button — originated. Hasbro, the US toymaker, has also been holding annual innovation days since 2014, resulting in around 50 successful products. Atlassian, known for Trello, plans these quarterly, and calls them “ShipIt days,” they usually produce hundreds of new ideas or improvements, according to FT.

Others are applying it to their day-to-day work. Bond, a London-based matchmaking agency, does not enforce office- or fixed hours on staff with the exception of a weekly catch-up meeting. Founder Charlotte Ball is all for it. “I was adamant Bond should foster a culture that empowered its staff and ensured they feel they are trusted to be responsible, rather than nannied,” she told FT. She loosely stays in touch and follows a strict one-strike rule in case anyone takes advantage of the flexibility. Autonomy should not be mistaken for a soft touch, she added.

What do the experts say? Business psychologist Dannielle Haig says that a sense of ownership promotes creativity within the employees. “People are naturally more motivated when they can approach tasks in their own way, set their own schedules and have input in company decisions.”

Beware the fine line. Leena Rinne, head of coaching at Skillsoft, warns of the difference between freedom and undermanaging. “[Staff] can only meet or exceed standards or goals when they have been clearly explained,” she told FT.

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