I ran my own organization for 10 years.
Stepped down 8 months & knew that for my next phase:
I want to be neither Employee nor Employer.
I was clear on this point when I stepped down in April.
Then I heard Daniel Vassallo articulate this and it resonated a lot.
I had been an employee for 3 years (sort of) and then an employer for 10+ years. But right now I neither paths look attractive to me.
Why not Employee
Reason 1:
I was disgusted by the politics, pettiness & nonsense I saw in most places where friends & family worked. Never wanted that. In fact started @321School so I could ensure I was part of a great team + culture.
Reason 2:
I felt I didn’t have the credentials to be judged fairly by Employers.
So I became an Entrepreneur.
This was something I had always felt till Josh Wolfe articulated it in his inimitable style: powerful words & strong data.
Why not Employer
Reason 1:
I found the responsibility of other people’s livelihood very emotionally challenging.I loved the work of building the org & our team, but the fear that if I messed up it would impact people & their lives always weighed heavy.
Reason 2:
After a few years I felt I was mainly handling people, client or funder issues. A lot of things I loved about my work had got pushed off my plate. My day to day job became about handling the current biggest crisis (often people related).
——
So that’s why I want to find work without being a manager or managee.
For now, don’t have full clarity.
Preference is to Create. Might mix Consulting-Coaching to stabilise things.
My Pre-pandemic self would be surprised that this is where I have ended up.
Excited & Nervous 🤞