Idiosyncratic deals for career customization can enhance employees’ performances and benefit the organization, too. A study by Mireia Las Heras and co-authors points out some of the mechanisms and effects of these agreements.

1. CAREER CUSTOMIZATION
I-DEALS:
KEYS TO ENSURE THAT
PERSONALIZED WORK
ARRANGEMENTS
BENEFIT EVERYONE

2. CAREER CUSTOMIZATION
What is an idiosyncratic
deal or "i-deal"?
A personalized work
arrangement to address the
recipient's unique work needs
and preferences, one that also
benefits the company.

3. • Negotiated individually.
• Intended to benefit everyone involved:
the employee and the company.
• May address financial matters, task
assignment and flexible work
arrangements (re: both time and space).
What are its key
features?
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

4. A study concludes that i-deals help keep
employees motivated and productive. The
research also highlights some of their
mechanisms and effects.
Cantaskandprofessional-
developmenti-deals
contributetoorganizational
efficiency?
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

5. I-deals for managers have a positive
impact on subordinates’ workplace
performance, career advancement and
prosocial behavior (i.e., their desire to
meet company objectives as well as
those of other employees and clients).
Beneficial to
subordinates
1
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

6. Managers in possession of these sorts of
agreements are more likely to offer
them to their subordinates.
A cascading effect
2
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

7. Staff with these agreements in
place improve their
performance and their
chances of promotion, and
they feel more empathy
towards their colleagues.
More productive
employees
3
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

8. The positive effects of personalized
agreements for managers on the
performance of their subordinates is
strengthened when the latter also
have customized agreements
in place.
Knock-on efficiency
4
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

9. These agreements are more
effective when managers
prioritize serving their
subordinates first.
Servant leadership
5
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

10. Performance also improves when
subordinates are already motivated to
help others.
Prosocial motives
6
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

11. Howcanweoptimize
i-dealsforallinvolved?
• Prioritize recruitment of employees who are
servant leaders and have prosocial motives.
• Deliver training programs that encourage
collaboration between those receiving the
training.
• Include i-deals in official HR programs to
address employees’ unique needs.
CAREER CUSTOMIZATION

12. More information is available in the
article “A Trickle-Down Model of Task
and Development I-Deals”, by IESE
Professor Mireia Las Heras, Yasin
Rofcanin, Matthijs Bal, Beatrice Van Der
Heijden and Didem Taser Erdogan.
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