Six types of 'new worker', which are you?
Six new types of worker as defined by Bain consultancy ….
200 pitches to be a guest on Jimmy’s Jobs, how many women?
Why we will see more entrepreneurs going into politics and how
The best podcast I have listened to this month.
If you are receiving this for the first time, my name is Jimmy McLoughlin, a former Downing Street adviser on business & entrepreneurship who now runs a podcast about the future of our economy through the prism of jobs.
A memory that really sticks with me from my time in Downing Street was when we were preparing a skills policy announcement.
I observed that one of the biggest problems we had was that people were terrible at recognising what their own skills were …
To demonstrate the point, I asked the room which included some of the brightest civil servants in the country what their skill sets were?
Deathly silence followed … perhaps it was blatantly obvious and a stupid question or perhaps even clever people find it difficult to know what they are good at?
Six types of new worker
That memory popped up when Eliza Filby sent me this article in Inc. which runs through the six categories of worker that Bain have identified in a new report
Because I read through it, and still couldn’t quite put my finger on what I am.
The six are:Giver
Work is about service. They feel rewarded by seeing their actions make a positive impact in someone else's life. They bring a human touch to their organizations. At their best, they are selfless. At their worst, they may be impractical or naive.Artisan
They are motivated by the pursuit of mastery in their craft. They're always on the lookout for ways to perfect their skills—for them, learning is a lifelong journey. They raise the bar for performance at their organizations. At their best, they are able to solve complex challenges. At their worst, they can be aloof and lose sight of bigger objectives. Nb. I have always thought I am very much JackOATs (Jack of All Trades) Explorer
Values freedom and experiences, tends to live in the present and seek out careers that provide a high degree of variety.Striver
Motivated by professional success, value status and compensation. A forward planner who can be relatively risk averse, opting for well-trodden paths to success. At their worst, their competitiveness degrades trust and camaraderie within the organization.Operator
Life is about more than work. They see work as a means to an end. They don't feel a burning desire to always stand out, which makes them excellent team players. At their best, they form the dependable backbone of the organization. At their worst, they are disengaged and lack proactivity.Pioneer
On a mission to change the world, forming strong views on the way things should be and seek out the control necessary to achieve that vision. They mobilize their infectious energy to bring about lasting change. At their worst, they are uncompromising and imperious.
And well, what am I?
Well I am drafting this on Saturday night, so let’s rule out operator.
Earlier in my career, I was probably much more of a striver than I am now (well as Bain define it).
I remember once finding out a peer was being paid £2k per annum more than me and being absolutely incandescent, and it wasn’t really the money that irked me, it was the status.
If I wasn’t so risk averse I would have resigned on the spot, but I made my mind up at that exact point I was heading for the exit …
Side note, in No.10 all of our salaries were a matter of public record, that was a very different dynamic that I’ll write about one day …
Ultimately I think I sit somewhere between explorer and pioneer … but probably more towards the explorer. I do believe that entrepreneurs are the modern day explorers.
So when it comes to an explorer … I am equally fascinated by the future of NFTs as the future of farming, and genuinely get a thrill out of researching both podcast episodes we have done on the topics in the last few months.
I would also like to think I am a pioneer, but who wouldn’t!? However, I am probably not that imperious, and think I sometimes like conviction …
Of course how much do we answer about what we would like to think we are ….
After I wrote the above, I realise Bain have actually have a quiz to determine what you are. I came out as:
Pioneer 77
Giver 68
Striver 66
And explorer coming in at 63!
Rather demonstrating the initial story from the room of bright civil servants about people not knowing themselves.
You can take the quiz here,
What good reports have you read on the future of work and jobs? I would be keen to read them.
International Women’s Day
I have received around 200 pitches to be a guest on Jimmy’s Jobs podcast, 99% are for male guests, so we did a big push this week about asking for more women as we endeavour to keep the podcast balanced.
Therefore it was brilliant to have Cassandra Stravou of who founded Propercorn a decade ago, now branded to Proper as our guest for this week.
We also made a Youtube playlist of some of our favourite female moments since we started the podcast, that is available here.
My next newsletter will talk you through how the podcast actually makes money.
If you think someone might be interested in that, please do share the newsletter below.
Writing ✍️ ✍️
I wrote in The Telegraph about how a new generation of entrepreneurs like Steven Bartlett, Ben Francis, Dominic McGregor, Kathryn Parsons and Tom Blomfield might end up being tempted by politics.
With more Mayors being created, it is a skillset which could work better for former business chiefs, following the trail blazed by Andy Street, who is the West Midlands Mayor who is the former Chief Exec of John Lewis.
Other Podcasts
Huge privilege and honuor to be invited on Mo Gawdat’s podcast, slo Mo. The former Google X Chief is one of the deepest thinkers in the world, we had a conversation about being a stay at home Dad in the pandemic.
And for those of you that are Derby County fan’s, you can hear me on the Steve Bloomers Washing podcast talking about our recent efforts to #SaveDerbyCounty
And you’ll hear my prediction on whether Derby can stay up …
New feature of this newsletter will include the best other podcast I have listened to this month.
This time it is taken by Podcast Queen, Alice Levine, in Sport’s strangest crimes. A gripping tale that includes, a regional football team, geo politics in North Korea, a promotion push, Sven Goran Eriksson and even a minor cameo from a young Boris Johnson 👇👇
How you can help …
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