A
"free agent" used to be a sports figure, or entertainer
whose contract had run out and was looking for a new one.
But with the change in our economy and the survival mode that
companies have switched to, a vast number of people have entered
the arena of free agents. Recent books and articles claim
we are becoming a "Free Agent Nation,” within a
"Free Agent Economy."
**
Are you ready to join the millions who have chosen to become
free agents? If you have or are planning to change your work
life and want more choice in what you do and how you do it,
you need to consider two things. How good are you at working
with others? Do you know what you naturally do best?
**
If you can answer these two questions quickly, think about
whether these are skills you have learned or whether they
come naturally. Many people think that being trained to do
something well is good enough; others will buy this knowledge
or skill from them. That may be true or it may be short lived.
There isn't much today that you can learn that will not become
obsolete about the time you learn it. People aren't very flexible
when they learn a skill. They learn how to do it best and
lack the flexibility to adapt when the skill is no longer
required. How do you stay flexible? Identify what you were
born to do and you easily adapt to changes!
**
Being a successful free agent depends heavily on people skills.
The Income part depends on your being able to cut directly
through the defenses of people who are inundated with info
the minute they get out of bed in the morning. It is pretty
unrealistic to think you will get enough work to support yourself
by relying on others to tell someone else how good you are.
So brushing up on your people skills is essential.
**
There are some great resources for you, the prospective free
agent. For instance Dan Pink in his new book defines what
you are feeling right now. He says that people by the thousands
each day are fleeing the organization to become "free
agents." He says; “This person is the independent
worker who operates on his or her terms, untethered to a large
organization, serving multiple clients and customers instead
of a single boss." This is good information. You need
to know where you fit in the scheme of things.
**
Toni Lonier wants to give free agents the tools they will
need to succeed. Barbara Reinhold recognizes the personal
fears and gives advice and resources to deal with them. Sara
Horowitz has developed a place where free agents can get similar
and sometimes better benefits than organizations offer. This
takes care of the basics. But no one has asked or answered
the really important questions yet. How good are you at working
with others, really? Do you know what you naturally do best?
(This is usually very different from what you have been trained
to do.)
**
Many free agents recognize that going it alone does not mean
being alone. A recent issue of INC. has its cover page devoted
to an example of going "solo" and teaming. Newer
web sites do recognize the need for building teams that share
projects and personal support. These sites talk about the
need to get along well with others, and how to make significant
contributions to the team. But just getting along with others
doesn't mean you know how to get the best performance from
them, or yourself for that matter.
| It is of course not full article. You should login first to show full article. If you have not account, please register. It is FREE!!! |
|
