The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred companies to improve work-life balance, benefiting both employee happiness and productivity. Rob Dance, CEO of UK tech consulting firm ROCK, highlighted his employee-centric approach on Instagram, advocating for treating staff like adults and emphasizing trust over micromanagement. He argued that businesses harm morale through excessive monitoring and suggested that productivity stems from autonomy. Dance promotes quality work and open communication for employees to gain trust. He also notes that a positive workplace culture is key to retention, stating that while salary may attract employees, a supportive culture is vital for keeping them.
Following the disruption of workplaces worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant demand for enhanced work-life balance, and many organizations are responding accordingly. The exciting outcome is that when companies adopt more flexible policies, their employees tend to be happier and more productive. It creates a beneficial situation for everyone involved.
Rob Dance, the CEO of ROCK, a technology consulting firm based in the UK, gained viral attention after sharing his insights on work-life balance on Instagram. What initially seemed to be a stern message from a CEO turned out to be an enlightened leader who understands how to maximize his team’s performance by treating them as adults.
The post featured Dance holding a whiteboard that stated:
Things I’m fed up with hearing from my employees:
– Can I leave early today?
– I’ll be arriving late tomorrow.
– My child is unwell; can I leave quickly?
– I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow; is that acceptable?
– I’ll be back late from lunch; I need to handle some matters.
I don’t care.
I brought you on board for a role, and I trust you to fulfill it.
I don’t require an account of every hour.
Times have evolved, and the workplace has transformed.
People are tired of being treated like children.
What matters most is that employees are content and that the work gets completed.
Additionally, he provided guidance for businesses on how to treat their employees. “Treat your staff like adults. That’s the essence, that’s the key,” he remarked. “Provide them with autonomy. Acknowledge that they have lives beyond work. Don’t manipulate them into being grateful for not being terminated each day.” Ultimately, the focus should be on whether the job is accomplished. “Results should always outweigh hours worked,” he emphasized.
Upworthy reached out to Dance, who elaborated on why managers often struggle to treat their employees as adults.
“Many managers lack trust in their employees and keep a close watch on them due to previous experiences and a need for control. They may think that micromanaging guarantees higher productivity and prevents issues,” he told Upworthy. “Moreover, the pressure to achieve business goals can compel managers to scrutinize employees excessively, believing it will yield better results. This mindset, however, only erodes trust and lowers morale in the workplace, fostering a toxic environment where employees feel unappreciated and stressed, leading to increased turnover rates and diminished overall effectiveness. Instead of encouraging a culture of accountability and growth, this behavior merely cultivates fear and resentment.”
Dance noted that technology has been a significant factor in the increasing demand for a better work-life balance.
“Mobile technology has certainly blurred the boundaries between personal and professional life, making it challenging to disconnect from work,” he explained to Upworthy. “As a millennial leader, I have always appreciated work-life harmony for my team, supporting their pursuit of flexibility and purpose in their jobs.”
The ROCK CEO also had pointers for employees aiming to earn their employer’s trust.
“Always deliver high-quality work and strive to meet or exceed expectations. Keep your manager informed by regularly updating them on your progress, challenges, and achievements,” he advised Upworthy. “Take the initiative to go above the basic requirements, showcasing your readiness to contribute more. Act with integrity by being honest and ethical at all times. Seek constructive feedback and make tangible improvements based on it, proving your commitment to personal growth. Lastly, one crucial aspect is to develop positive relationships with all your colleagues, as strong connections are essential in establishing true trust.”
In April 2025, Dance shared further insights that underline the significance of leaders prioritizing company culture. He posted a picture of himself holding a whiteboard that conveyed wisdom all CEOs should consider: “An employee who leaves solely for the salary might return for a positive culture, but if they depart due to a toxic culture, no salary will ever entice them back.”
This raises the intriguing question: given the right compensation, which past jobs would you consider returning to, and which would you decline?
CEO Rob Dance holds up a whiteboard with his cultural philosophy. www.linkedin.com
This article originally appeared last year.