Will 'Free Agent Nation' stand the test of time?
I recently responded to a question on linkedin.com about the future of Daniel Pink's book "Free Agent Nation" written in 2002. Here are my thoughts:
Daniel Pink has certainly popularised the notion of working for oneself and if all of his ideas are taken at face value then I wouldn't want to be head of a large organisation! I do, however, feel that Pink is somewhat extreme in his predictions. Having been in the career field for almost a decade and seeing thousands of people experience career challenges I don't think that Free Agent Nation will live up to the hype.
Rather, I see a bifurcation appearing in the labour market between:
(1) those who prefer working in a large corporate, whether it be for perceived stability, access to resources, esteem needs etc; and
(2) those who pursue a more portfolio career (including Free Agent notion).
The internet is an enabling factor in pursuing a portfolio career. Sites such as elance.com and mturk.com are allowing people who otherwise would not have had the social drive to setup themselves up as a Free Agent can do so from the safe anonymity of their computer.
Daniel Pink has certainly popularised the notion of working for oneself and if all of his ideas are taken at face value then I wouldn't want to be head of a large organisation! I do, however, feel that Pink is somewhat extreme in his predictions. Having been in the career field for almost a decade and seeing thousands of people experience career challenges I don't think that Free Agent Nation will live up to the hype.
Rather, I see a bifurcation appearing in the labour market between:
(1) those who prefer working in a large corporate, whether it be for perceived stability, access to resources, esteem needs etc; and
(2) those who pursue a more portfolio career (including Free Agent notion).
The internet is an enabling factor in pursuing a portfolio career. Sites such as elance.com and mturk.com are allowing people who otherwise would not have had the social drive to setup themselves up as a Free Agent can do so from the safe anonymity of their computer.
Labels: free agent, portfolio career
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