Bringing robots to life

My dog - like my Scottish-extracted husband-to-be - needs to be kept on a very tight leash.
Given even the tiniest hint of freedom the two extremely spirited males in my life would run wild, leaving what I fear would be an extremely expensive trail of destruction in their wake. Our humble home would be destroyed, the debt collectors would probably be given their own key and our dog would have been so busy digging, he'd find himself barking in Mandarin.

The last time I looked I was neither a small boy in an adult's body nor a four-legged canine without the ability to scoop up its own poo. And while I have been known to kick my heels up on occasion, I do not possess the type of demonic personality that requires such unyielding constraints outside my domestic confines.

Yet despite my arguably placid personality, I have rarely been given the level of autonomy nor authority (aka freedom) I like to think a person at a similar stage and - yes, I admit, station - deserves.
Which is why I'd love to corner new Myer chief Bernie Brookes and shout him a few beers.
Since arriving at the department store's Lonsdale Street headquarters part way through last year, the former Woolworth's executive has been quick to break traditional employee/employer rules.
Like all good bosses, Brookes has learnt early the power of people and done his damndest to earn - rather than merely demand - their respect.

Determined not to be the stereotyMuch has been made of his well-publicised 'tour' however it appears his only motivation in completing the time-consuming trip was to get a genuine feel for what his troops - all troops - made of the 60-strong retail stores.

Unsurprisingly, the response wasn't pretty.
Yet when all was said and done, Brookes took the criticism in his stride and vowed to do everything he could to turn the situation around.

In choosing to put ego and personal agenda aside, Brookes placed trust in his staff and was duly rewarded.
Brookes, in speaking to Australian Financial Review's Boss magazine earlier this year, admitted that following years of 'difficulties' at the retailer, he expected it would be hard getting staff on board.

Yet, it seems on this occasion at least, it was the tutor who was taught the lessons from his students.
"You think you're smart until you meet the people in the stores and they tell you what needs to be done. . . if you give people skin in the game they will work until they fall down to be able to deliver for you," he was reported as saying.
Brookes then went on to admit that allowing staff much more autonomy and authority allowed him and his management team to be less "demanding and pushy". In turn staff are more motivated and morale is much improved.
I may not report to Brookes, but my head is literally spinning with all the ideas I have to help both my home and my place of work to run more efficiently.

I'm sure the dog and the husband-to-be would agree - perhaps I should consider loosening the noose.