Scott Adams, the Dilbert creator, calls project work ‘free agent work’ or ‘boss diversification.’ Adams says: “the worst risk you can face is to have one boss, somebody who can make your life miserable and who can decide when it is time for you to go.” By diversifying work, we lower the risk of working for a horrific boss. “The more customers and clients you have, the safer you are. People are going to gravitate to what is safest,” he continues.[i] The result is that ‘my way or the highway’ bosses are becoming an endangered species.
Do you wonder why Brand U’s don’t want to be a boss? Especially in a great economy, the power of a supervisor or manager has diminished. If a person offers value, more people are selling their services to the highest bidder. And, many companies, are having a harder time retaining key workers.
[i] Bryant, Adam, “Managing Dilbert, Inc.” NY Times, September 7, 1997, Section 3, p. 1.