The Price of Freedom
This week’s newsletter is a special edition written by one of Clevertech’s very own senior software developers. Federico Seco has learned through years of experience what it takes to thrive in a remote environment and this conversation around personal responsibility and freedom is one we feel is worth having.
I still remember the first time I heard about “working remotely” I was a semi-senior developer, and was called in to join a newly created team. One of my teammates asked the team leader: “can we work from home?”. The leader smiled and subtly tried to explain: “You’re not ready for that yet”.
I didn’t know anything about actual responsibility and accountability, I kept wondering why couldn’t we look at the board, grab a task, and execute it; just like at the office, but home?
As time passed, I learned why this isn’t so simple.
Here’s what I learned the hard way:
The Deal with Freedom
In our hearts, we yearn for freedom and flexibility—the ability to navigate life on our own terms.
However, we often find ourselves constantly monitored, not fully trusted or allowed to have the autonomy we crave.
Here’s the hard truth: Freedom and flexibility don't emerge from someone entrusting their entire empire to us on a whim, simply because we're charismatic. Instead, it is born from delivering on what you committed to, and letting that build trust over time.
Consider the scenario of placing an order for the first time from an online store located on the opposite side of the planet. With only a handful of reviews and vague promises on their website about delivering your order sometime next month, how much trust would you have after the fifth week with no proper communication or delivered items at your doorstep?
Now, picture the same situation, but this time the store keeps you informed at every step of the delivery process. They promptly notify you of any delays or issues encountered along the way. Moreover, for the past three years, they have consistently fulfilled orders, paying meticulous attention to details without being intrusive.
True freedom comes when we hold ourselves accountable for the choices we make, taking responsibility for the outcomes. We must deliver on our promises, ensuring that the people who depend on us have unwavering confidence that we will handle matters with care and competence. They shouldn't even entertain the thought of us failing to assess, deliver, and promptly communicate any obstacles.
The freedom we seek is rooted in respect—earned respect. Accountability devoid of recognition pushes people to quit, while recognition without respect is a facade that will inevitably crumble.
We need to reach a certain stage in our careers, encounter the right people at the appropriate junctures of their own journeys, and work in an environment that fosters maturity and cultivates the conditions necessary for freedom to thrive.
The Keys to the Kingdom
But what exactly is accountability?
At its core, it entails:
Embracing ownership of our work and accepting responsibility for the outcomes we produce.
Acknowledging our mistakes and taking proactive measures to rectify them.
Actively seeking feedback and guidance to continuously improve ourselves.
In the early days, I used to believe that gaining trust meant avoiding mistakes altogether. While repeating the same blunders certainly won't propel us forward, it is through our missteps that we learn and grow.
What does this have to do with accountability? Well, a significant aspect of being perceived as accountable lies in how we communicate setbacks. Whether it's clients, users, customers, bosses, leaders, or managers, they trust us not only because of our competence but also because we possess the rare ability to recognize our limitations with precision and transparency.
Therefore, accountability demands honesty and transparency with our colleagues and stakeholders. As we build trust with them, they are more likely to grant us the autonomy we crave.
10 Keys to Freedom
1. Set clear goals and expectations
We must be very specific about what we need to get the job done, any dependency we may need, any roadblocks in our way, and the time we expect to get it done by, should no major catastrophes happen.
2. Be punctual
Having flexibility/freedom doesn't mean we get to show up whenever we feel like it. Being punctual is still a simple yet powerful way to demonstrate responsibility.
3. Take ownership
Instead of making excuses or shifting blame onto others, we can acknowledge our mistakes, learn from them, and take the necessary steps to rectify any issues or challenges that arise.
When we take ownership, we are not trying to put on an appearance. We are committed to the success of the project and the team.
4. Be Proactive
Proactivity, the art of anticipation, plays a vital role in fostering responsibility. By taking the initiative to identify and address potential issues before they escalate, we embody the spirit of foresight.
5. Be reliable
Being reliable is a steadfast pillar of trust-building. It means being consistent with positive results, and in this particular setup, it means consistently delivering high-quality work that meets or exceeds expectations.
6. Keep effective communication
Active listening, thoughtful questioning, providing feedback, and keeping stakeholders informed about a projects progress are all vital components of effective communication. By attuning ourselves to the variables of others and putting ourselves in their shoes, we gain deeper insights into their concerns.
7. Do not do time management
What I mean by this is we can't rearrange the hours of the day. It's not time that we can manage, but rather the things we do around that time that we can better organize and we must skillfully navigate.
Effective organization is an essential skill that involves prioritizing tasks and setting realistic deadlines. We can use sticky notes, notebooks, calendar reminders or events, alarms, to-do lists, or whatever tool that works for us.
8. Be flexible yourself
Being flexible does not mean having no structure. On the contrary, it means upholding a strong structure that it's ready to resist change. It means being capable of incorporating things that were not initially in our schedule, without losing the control we already had.
9. Seek out feedback
The pursuit of growth and excellence beckons us to seek feedback. Openness to constructive criticism, actively seeking diverse perspectives, and using feedback as a catalyst for improvement cultivates a culture of continual learning. In doing so, we show our commitment to producing high-quality work.
10. Be professional
Maintaining a professional demeanor and attitude means showing respect towards our colleagues, adhering to company policies and protocols, and upholding ethical standards.
In a sense, it is the culmination of being responsible, accountable, punctual, reliable, proactive, communicative, and well-organized—a symphony of traits that harmoniously blend into a virtuous professional demeanor.
Freedom comes at a price—responsibility. Yet the reward to being responsible is the freedom we seek.
These rewards manifest in the form of personal and professional growth, and the respect and flexibility that come with it. So take ownership of your work, be accountable for its outcomes, and find the right balance within your schedule, to be able to attend to each priority without succumbing to the snares of burnout.
The journey may not be easy, but the destination is well worth the effort.
If you are craving freedom and resonate with this idea of accountability and personal responsibility, Clevertech might be the perfect fit for you.
