GMAT Essays (AWA)

ESSAY QUESTION:
"Employees always perform better when given a say in determining the boundaries of their roles within a company."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

YOUR RESPONSE:
Performance reflects the true ability of a person. That person can show his potential only by performing to the best of his ability. Though there are people who argue that employees should be monitored continuously and should only complete the work assigned by their managers or peers, I argue that employees perform better if given a say in determining the boundaries if their roles within a company.
First, the employee will be able to express his ideas freely and exhibit his talent, if given a say in determining his role in the organization. The employees feel independent while doing their work and hence do not have to succumb to pressures from peers or managers. If the employee is meted out excessive pressure to do some work which is not of his kind, then it may lead to demoralizing the employee. He may even feel depressed and look for opportunities in other companies. For example, in my previous company, the projects were allotted on a random basis. Employees had no choice to choose their projects. People who had no background of banking at all were allotted to the development team of a banking application. This resulted in serious outcomes. The employees were least interested to work as their areas of interest were something else. They were asked to complete the allotted work in stipulated time. The employees here had no experience prior to this and had tough time coping up to learn the technical aspects and simultaneously to do the development. As a result, in a team comprising of twenty people, at least ten had chosen to pursue their jobs elsewhere.
Second, the interests of the employees leads to the success of the company. The interests of the employees should be catered and make them feel important. If the employees are not cared or given the least importance in a company then this would lead to serious turmoil in the company. The employees perform poorly which is directly related to the performance of the company. The companies reputation would be at stake. It might even lead to the company losing many projects as it would fail to win the client satisfaction due to poor performance. For example, many companies employees staged protests in front of the organization which severely affected the reputation of the company. As the employees were not ready to work unless the management paid heed to their demands of proper work environment and pay. The company had to ultimately succumb to hold its reputation.
In addition, getting the best of each employee should be the ultimate aim of every company. If the company is unable to get the best, then it is definitely not one of the best companies. For example, Infosys Technology Limited has started an initiative iRace to cater to the needs of the employees. This program aimed at listening to the troubled employees and catering to their needs.
In conclusion, I strongly support the view that employees should be given a say in determining the boundaries of their roles which encourages them to perform better. Without which, the employee would be least interested in the work he does. The employee would be demotivated because of the excessive pressure from his managers which he is not able to cope up with due to lack of interest. Hence every employee should be given a say in his work.

Thanks