The job market has dramatically changed. People regularly work on multiple projects with varying degrees of involvement. Some have a full-time job and engage in personal side projects on the weekends, while others work on 3-4 different projects as contractors or consultants. Whether people like it or not, this has already become the norm in tech, and what’s the norm in tech will likely soon become the norm in every other industry.
How do you ensure a missionary mindset when your project is only one of three projects someone is involved in?
1/ Treat everyone equally, under the same mission. Contractors, interns, part-time consultants — it doesn’t matter. As long as someone is using the corporate email domain, emphasize the same mission to everyone involved, regardless of their current level of dedication. At my previous company, we had a part-time recruiter who only worked for us occasionally, on an as-needed basis. Nevertheless, we included him in HR offsites and team lunches. People love being considered part of the team even if they’re only working part-time. When people feel they’re not really part of the same mission, they develop a mercenary mindset. Besides, contractors and interns are often the best candidates for full-time positions. So, communicate the company’s mission to them all the time, as if they’re already full-time employees.
2/ Ask people what they ultimately want to achieve in their careers in the next 5-10 years. Jobs are short; careers are long. Some might find it a bit awkward to discuss their real career goals, and that’s OK — keep asking them, or share your own career goals first. Then try to identify any overlap between the company’s mission and their personal career goals. When an overlapping area is discovered, it creates powerful alignment.
3/ Educate people on the fact that aligning with the mission benefits them as well. We all need to be part of a mission larger than ourselves.
I’ve heard managers lament that the younger generation approaches their job as nothing more than a job. This mindset is not good for anybody—our jobs should be more than just jobs. When companies and managers care, people care in return. Some may not, but the right order is for companies and managers to step forward first.