For several months, I’ve been collaborating on several projects with my friend Carol Ross. Our collaboration has been virtual, relying on phone, e-mail, webcam, twitter and other social media tools. However, this week, we had the opportunity to work together, face-to-face, at my home office in Beautiful Decatur, Georgia.
It was a fabulous experience that not only moved the work forward on our biggest project to date, but also contributed to deepening our already solid partnership. As Carol says in this segment of a video we shot, we have translated shared interests into a collaboration that leads to the benefits of a “real job.”
Welcome to the new way to work! Fading fast, for increasing numbers of people, is an organization-driven model for hiring and long-term employment. In it’s place? Network-driven work opportunities generated by your community and taking many different forms. Yes, we are increasingly part of free agent nation, the land first described by Dan Pink in a 1997 Fast Company article and subsequent book. It is a land where you can reach across the web to connect, engage, and collaborate - finding satisfying work while bringing value to your shared brand communities.
Living in a free agent nation, changes everything. Even work inside of organizations. Unlike work environments of the past, the new way of working is not about being guided by your boss or job description. Nor is it about compliance. And it certainly isn't about keeping your head down. Rather, as pointed out by Seth Godin, in his recent book Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?, it’s about standing up and bringing your talents to the task at hand!
We are at time where you truly need to gain the personal clarity that allows you to be author of your own career, and able to tell your story in a compelling and meaningful way to the people who look to you for the value you can bring. So, get clear about who you are, what you offer, and the people you serve - and live your story!
Great post! Although I'm looking for a full-time job, I'm also looking for other collaborative opportunities.
It's true, the old way of working is breaking down as we move to distributed work environments. On my last day of work, there were no awkward conversations in the hallway or sweet good-byes. I packed up my laptop, router, and VOIP phone and sent it back via UPS. I had been working remotely for five years.
Just as my job ended with that final UPS trip, it can begin again with other passionate like-minded virtual partners.
-@JesseLuna
Posted by: Jesseluna | June 03, 2010 at 01:25 PM
Wow, Jesse! What a powerful comment! Thanks for sharing it!
I’m sorry to hear that you’re in the job hunt, and yet you are clearly building on strength, having already entered into the new world of virtual, anywhere, anytime work! The great thing about this model for work is exactly the fact that we can now reach across the web for opportunities and colleagues, much the same way as Carol and I did! Sometimes it is the result of good fortune – right time, right circumstances. Yet, good fortune comes from good preparation; in this case, that’s good networking and community building.
In fact, one of the keys, as Carol and I see it, is networking within the within your own professional/brand community. This can lead to all kinds of possibilities – from short-term contract gigs to longer-term projects or roles. As well, as your phrase “distributed work environments” suggests, with the power of technology, we can be part of a larger global team. So, this doesn’t limit the way we look for new work.
In many cases, we can end one project and move on to the next as simply as you describe. Without bitterness. In a way, it’s just business. Yet, what we can and should hang on to are the great connections we build along the way.
Look forward to being in touch!
Posted by: Walter Akana | June 03, 2010 at 03:33 PM