COMPANY MAN OR FREE AGENT

2009-12-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

I’ve worked for five years at a very successful company where many exciting challenges lie ahead. But I know that the independent contractors employed by my department earn a lot more than I do—in some cases, almost triple. So I find myself at a crossroads: Should I go out on my own as a “hired gun” or stick it out as a company man?

You hail from one of the world’s most robust economies, but your question is universal–it’s the “it” career question of our times, and not just for newly minted college grads or MBAs. Virtually all businesspeople with some form of marketable expertise have the opportunity to outsource themselves to the growing number of employers attracted by the flexibility of hiring people without “chains.” As one such employer told us recently: “Independent contractors make my life so easy. I don’t have to pay their benefits, write their appraisals, or manage their neuroses.” Best of all, she added, “if things don’t work out, I don’t have to roll in the muck with HR or legal. I can just say: ‘So long.’”

The deal can work nicely for independent contractors, too. They can maximize their earning power by working for several companies at once, working overtime, or working just as much as their needs require, and all while they enjoy being their own boss. Who needs snarky office politics, prescribed vacation time, and tedious annual 360 ¬feedback evaluations when you can own your own life? What you lose in job security and insurance benefits you can make up in income and freedom.

But hold on. Even in the brave new economy, there is still a case to be made for working at a company, and you allude to it in your question. It is the excitement of being part of something bigger than yourself and the thrill of building something—a product, a service, or a team. It is the fun of laughing, debating, sweating it out with fellow travelers—friends and allies in the never-ending competition for customers and profits. Say all you want about the joys of independence, but you can’t claim that you and your BlackBerry on a plane can give you the same high as being in a room full of co-workers when word comes in that you’ve won a hard-fought contract. It just doesn’t get any better.

If you’re that kind of person. And of course, that is what your crossroads decision comes down to: nothing more or less powerful than personal fit. Some people are company people in their bones. They start joining sports teams and clubs as kids and seek experiences replete with camaraderie their whole lives. These types love the identity of belonging to an organization. The association makes them feel not overwhelmed or diminished, but fulfilled. Many people in this category are also energized by the prospect of leadership. They are the types of men and women who ask us, in countless e-mails and everywhere we travel: “How can I be the best manager in the world?” and “How do I get to be a CEO someday?”

There are also lots of people for whom being a manager or CEO has no appeal whatsoever, not to mention their lukewarm feelings about required organizational mush: strategic planning, budgeting, and the like. Years ago, one of us (Suzy) sat with a friend in a Sante Fe movie theater watching Working Girl. The moment an office scene appeared, the friend loudly announced: “Ugh—never!” eliciting a smattering of applause from others in the audience. Her business? Buying and selling jewelry from her basement. Her job description? Sole proprietor and entrepreneur.

Speaking of that, entrepreneurship is surely a third category to consider when you think about career fit. Entrepreneurs have characteristics of both independent contractor and company types. They want to build and belong—but to something of their own invention. This path, lucky for the economy, continues to attract some of the smartest, most passionate people in the world. In fact, during our recent speaking tour of 35 campuses, we’d estimate that 20% to 25% of the MBAs told us they wanted to start their own businesses.

From your question, that doesn’t sound like your particular dream. Perhaps it has too much risk. Perhaps you don’t have a big idea right now. And so, like many professionals today, you are left deciding between two very different career paths, both with virtues and drawbacks. Your decision isn’t permanent, but it is huge and it will change your life. So imagine that life 5, 10, and 20 years out. What do you want to be?

The choice is all yours.

This question and answer originally appeared in Business Week magazine on February 12, 2007.

Viewers what do you think?

2009-12-26T16:47:00.000-08:00

"If you don’t make up your mind on what to believe about yourself, others will sell you their limiting believe about you"

These are very strong word if you critically look at it. "If you don't make up your mind to believe about yourself" Think about it your Boss at work throws everything at you, even though you know that deep in your heart of hearts you are more polished they will frustrate all your efforts and try to "sell you their limiting believe about you".

Thomas Edison was told that he was unteachable because of his inability to concentrate in the class. Albert Einstein was told he would never amount to much in life. Ben Carson was labelled as the dumbest boy in his school because of his pathetic performance. These men were wrongly labelled based on their present realities. But the truth about life is that realities are not often what they first appear to be.

The same scenario happen to me during one evening when we were made to pay for the error of Superiors, rumours have been going round that they were going to share letters of disengagement from the Bank that makes customers smile and employees sad. It was like the death angel has been going through the whole bank just like that of when the death angel was going through every door in Egypt. And my door post was mark with the blood as commanded by God, but you know its Nigeria somehow the Nigeria factor connive with the death angel and it's only God that knows the Magomago they used to to execute their act.

Today I refuse them selling to me their limiting factor and I believe in myself and within two week I find it rather shocking that God has deposited something in me and I am just discovering it. It was a blessing in disguise because I am an embodiment of blessing. No boss from the pit of hell can appraise me or harass me. Apostle Paul said...forgetting those thing which are behind and reaching forward to those things are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize...Philippians 3:13-14

Just as Kanu said it was A kind of shock when the Doctors say I will never play again... But I was determine to never give up. All you have to do is think deep.

Believe in yourself.

Aisuebeogun steve

NAIJATYCOON

COMPANY MAN OR FREE AGENT