In a recent interview, we sat down with Daan van Rossum, the founder of FlexOS, a company dedicated to transforming the future of work into a happier and more fulfilling experience. Originally from the Netherlands, the Daan returned home after 15 years abroad in the US and Asia, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a clear vision: "Our mission is to create a happy future of work."
FlexOS was created to take on one of the most significant hurdles that many face in their day-to-day jobs today: lack of agency and freedom. Daan took this challenge upon himself and began reflecting on the current state of workplace happiness and how he can utilize FlexOS to improve the issues arising within the workplace. He explained,
Are we happy at work? Maybe. Probably both of us are very happy at work, but we know that there are a lot of people out there who are still stuck in jobs where they don't have the agency and the freedom to do what they want and work from where they want.
Noticing this downward path of happiness within workplace culture through content, expert interviews, training, and consulting, Daan ensured that FlexOS strives to show people that there is a better way to work.
We discussed what FlexOS can do for workplace culture and employee engagement, terms that have gained significant attention in recent years after the pandemic. With more of an emphasis on employees within companies and how their engagement levels directly correlate to production, Daan and many others have found it essential to focus on ensuring a great workplace culture to keep employees happy. Reflecting on Gallup studies, the founder highlighted a trend concerning employee satisfaction and engagement. Daan noted,
People are more disengaged than ever... It very much goes back to people just not having agency. Someone else dictating for you what you do when you do that work where you do that work having no freedom, no flexibility.
This lack of agency leads to disengagement and job dissatisfaction, prompting many to seek other opportunities.
Taking a deeper dive into the lack of employee engagement, Daan’s insights further emphasized the disconnection many employees feel in traditional work environments that have been around for centuries. He stated, "And then companies wonder, "Why are people looking around for other opportunities? Why are they not sticking with me?".
FlexOS addresses this challenge by advocating for less rigidity in work environments. Daan mentions that smart companies should empower individuals or teams to decide when and where they work most effectively, recognizing that this is a personal choice. Furthermore, it's essential to create office environments that make the commute worthwhile by considering what features would make the workplace attractive and practical.
As the pandemic caused a massive shift in workplace culture and engagement, hybrid work models began to take over as opposed to a full-time in-office model. Daan shared that the hybrid work model is something that many companies have struggled to implement effectively. He pointed out the discrepancies between companies that excel at hybrid work and those that do not. He remarked, "The great companies... look at a company like Atlassian, they're creating the most beautiful offices in the world and saying to people, 'hey, up to you whether you want to come or not.'"
This approach contrasts sharply with companies mandating office attendance without considering employees' preferences or the nature of their work.
Further, Daan highlighted the shortcomings of a rigid hybrid work approach:
Simply requiring employees to be in the office does not automatically foster collaboration or community. You can put a hundred people in a room. They're not suddenly going to become best friends and collaborate really well.
His solution to this? Daan suggests that companies should treat office days as valuable, purposeful events akin to remote companies' offsites. These days should be filled with meaningful interactions and activities that employees look forward to, ensuring that the time spent in the office is productive and engaging. This would not only increase employee engagement and improve workplace culture, but also increase levels of productivity within a corporation.
As corporations make changes within their work models and the strategies they want to implement, Daan mentioned that there must be a method to measure the success of hybrid work policies, though this can be a challenge. He advised against focusing on micro metrics like desk occupancy or badge swipes, which do not necessarily correlate with productivity or engagement. "I would just look at metrics at the highest level... How can we design the workplace and hybrid work strategy towards those metrics?" he suggested.
True flexibility, according to the founder, starts with giving employees more autonomy and agency. "If I ask you, where do you do your best work? You would know that better than anyone," he emphasized. This flexibility should be balanced with clear responsibilities and expectations, ensuring that employees remain accountable while enjoying the freedom to choose how and where they work. He elaborated,
Flexibility and freedom come with responsibility. You're still on the hook to deliver your work. It's just a different mentality of 'can I quantify to you what I'm expecting from you?'
Giving employees more autonomy and freedom also highlights an important part of any corporation: inclusivity and diversity, particularly in a flexible work environment. Daan emphasizes how remote work can naturally lead to a more diverse workforce by allowing companies to hire from a broader talent pool. He shared an inspiring example: "You’re gonna get more diverse talents, people that couldn't even come to an office physically right or that couldn't come to an office full-time."
He cited a specific instance involving Amber from Vet, an AI-powered recruiting company: "The recruiters doing interviews with candidates are actually stay-at-home moms, military veterans, people who wouldn't be able to show up for work." This flexibility allows companies to tap into a more diverse and talented workforce, enhancing overall productivity and innovation.
FlexOS is at the forefront of creating a happier and more flexible future of work. Companies can foster a more engaged, productive, and satisfied workforce by prioritizing employee agency, designing engaging office spaces, and intentionally embracing hybrid work. As the founder hopes, "I love doing it" will become a sentiment shared by more employees worldwide.
For those looking to stay updated on the latest trends and insights in the future of work, Daan recommended following thought leaders like Nick Bloom from Stanford University and Debbie Lovich from BCG. Additionally, his own weekly podcasts and newsletters, Future Work and Lead with AI, offer valuable perspectives and data-driven insights to inspire and inform.
