Managers Who Lead With Their Hearts

March 19, 2009
This issue's lead story reports on an unusual action taken by the co-founders of spread-spectrum radio supplier FreeWave Technologiesto hand over $9 million in equity to the firm's employees in recognition of their contributions to the company's success. ...

This issue's lead story reports on an unusual action taken by the co-founders of spread-spectrum radio supplier FreeWave Technologiesto hand over $9 million in equity to the firm's employees in recognition of their contributions to the company's success. Especially in today's economy, where layoffs are more common than payouts, this is a dramatic gesture, but certainly one that goes a long way toward making FreeWave one of the more popular places to work.

In a country in which business managers have become obsessed with the bottom line, it is easy to forget that running a business need not be all that complicated. The US Marines teach soldiers to "look out for the group before you look out for yourself," and this team-oriented approach adopted by FreeWave not only helps build an effective workforce, but one that is motivated toward achieving success for the company, and one that understands the importance of the customer. In good times or bad, treating employees and customers as you would treat yourself is a formula that may not always make economic sense, but will usually lead to success.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.

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