CEO for a Day: Empowering Employees & Boosting Innovation

The Power of Empowerment in Leadership

Effective leaders don't achieve greatness through authority, but rather through their capacity to enable the success of those around them.

Beyond Surface-Level Culture

Many technology companies promote a “unique” or “open” culture, but often this is only a superficial claim. While perks like pet-friendly offices or complimentary beverages are appealing, the crucial question is: how are you actively fostering the growth of your employees?

We recognize that our collective success is directly tied to the well-being of our team members, and therefore prioritize creating an environment where they can thrive.

Expanding to the United States

Following successful operations in Finland and Switzerland, Vincit expanded to the United States in 2016, establishing a California office. Despite the significant geographical shift – over 5,000 miles – we remained committed to our core values: employee happiness and client satisfaction.

We firmly believe that contented employees lead to satisfied clients, who in turn generate valuable referrals. Maintaining this positive and productive work environment during our expansion was paramount.

A Unique Workplace Structure

Going beyond conventional benefits such as comprehensive health coverage, 401k plans, and standard office amenities, we drew upon our Finnish heritage to cultivate a workplace characterized by freedom and support.

We prioritize transparency in our company culture and strongly advocate for employee empowerment. Our organizational structure intentionally lacks traditional managers and rigid hierarchies. Employees are granted autonomy and do not require approval for their work.

Fostering Growth and Learning

We actively encourage employees to visit our headquarters in Finland. Instead of conventional “Lunch & Learn” sessions, we host “Fail & Learn” meetings, providing a safe space for sharing unsuccessful endeavors and the lessons derived from them.

Furthermore, each month, a different employee is given the opportunity to serve as CEO for a day.

The “CEO of the Day” Initiative

The “CEO of the Day” program has proven to be exceptionally popular. This initiative grants an employee complete control for 24 hours, accompanied by an unrestricted budget.

The sole stipulation is that the CEO must implement a lasting decision designed to enhance the work experience for Vincit employees. The company fully commits to upholding whatever decision is made.

Tangible Results and Recognition

Although seemingly unconventional, this program has yielded substantial returns. Since its inception in 2018, Vincit has experienced consistent year-over-year growth, culminating in the recent opening of an office in Phoenix, Arizona.

We have received numerous accolades for our workplace culture, including “Best Workplace for Innovators” from Fast Company, “Best Workplace” by Inc. Magazine, and multiple features on the Orange County Business Journal’s Best Places to Work list.

Attracting Top Talent and Building Community

This initiative has enabled us, as a smaller tech company, to attract highly skilled professionals from across the nation. More importantly, our employees report high levels of satisfaction.

We’ve observed increased engagement, a stronger sense of ownership, and a more cohesive company community. In an industry notorious for high employee turnover – tech has the highest rate of any sector – many employees have remained with us since our U.S. expansion.

Autonomy, Trust, and Open Communication

Our guiding principle, “Do as you would do,” aligns perfectly with the CEO of the Day mindset. We aim to provide our employees with significant autonomy and authority in their daily tasks.

The program also helps us stay attuned to our employees’ evolving needs, demonstrate our trust in their judgment, and highlight issues that might otherwise be overlooked by senior leadership.

Concrete Outcomes of the Program

As a direct result of the program, we have:

• Provided a company-wide Uber account to ensure safe transportation after social events.
• Subscribed all employees to Udemy, facilitating skill development and continuous learning.
• Established a “Fun Friday” bonding event, complete with food and beverages, held on the last Friday of each month.
• Purchased branded Gore-Tex jackets for all employees to combat chilly office temperatures.
• Created an in-office library for employees to share and exchange their favorite books.

Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity

While each CEO will implement a single lasting decision, not all will be successful. In fact, failure is actively encouraged. The CEO of the Day program is designed to illustrate the complexities inherent in company-wide decisions, provide employees with decision-making practice beyond their usual roles, and allow them to tackle significant challenges without undue pressure.

Regardless of the outcome, our employees recognize the value of their contributions and feel trusted and respected – qualities that are essential for a growing organization.

Fostering Trust and Authenticity

Establishing a culture of trust is crucial for fostering creativity and connection, particularly in new offices like our Phoenix location or any rapidly evolving tech company. This ultimately leads to improved work quality, faster onboarding, and better communication.

A Harvard Business Review study revealed that 18% of new employees require a year or more to feel comfortable being their authentic selves at work. We strive to ensure that every employee feels valued, empowered, and heard from day one.

Seamless Integration and Team Building

While we integrate new employees through traditional training and onboarding, I believe the CEO of the Day program is where true team cohesion emerges. When Vincit acquired Devise Interactive in 2018, this program played a vital role in uniting our teams.

Similarly, since expanding to Phoenix a few months ago, I’ve already witnessed it facilitate a seamless integration between our two teams.

Empowering Future Leaders

Every employee will eventually have the opportunity to serve as CEO for a day, and the impact of their lasting decision will be remembered. As leaders, our responsibility is to provide them with that opportunity.