On our episode of Sunday Morning for this week (from 8.31), we saw the awesome world of Google...where employees enjoy a free luxury ride to work, followed by free gourmet breakfast, followed by free meals the rest of the day from 19 different restaurants. And, after all that sticker shock, the employees of Google get to enjoy volley ball courts, sleeping pods, and an in-house, eco-friendly laundry room. One might think that Google employees are happy because of the fabulous "French benefits" they are receiving from their employers...
...I think that Google employees are happy because they are given the freedom to work in ways that are most productive and effective for them. As one analyst shared, Google is successful because they understand that if you, "Hire intelligent people, let them actually use their intelligence." Don't get me wrong, free food and amenities would be wonderful, but what would get me to turn in my application would be the opportunity to work without boundaries, to collaborate with my colleagues in environments conducive to innovative thought. I would choose to become a part of the "social engineering perspective" at Google because my passion and creativity would be encouraged in tangible ways.
I wonder whether Google employees are as happy as the piece presents and whether there aren't any skeletons in those sleep pods. BUT, even if life isn't a paradise at Google, they sure have presented some wonderful ideas about how to create that paradise! And, isn't that refreshing?
So, I want to know...how could we apply this "social engineering perspective" to our classroom this semester? Please offer your suggestions through the Comments link below.