Consequences of the Gig Economy

What does the gig economy mean in a traditional market?
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Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together.
Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do.
Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game.
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#SimonSinek

[@evanflynn4680]

The nine jobs in five years thing is the direct result of the decades of slowly taking everything from the lower classes. It's been shown that people who hop from job to job are getting paid more than those who stick with their jobs and try to climb the ladder. Employers don't want to pay you more, even after years of being a loyal worker. But if you can find a job in the same field, they don't have to spend as much time training you, so they're more likely to pay better. They're getting the you with years of experience, not the entry level you that they've had around doing all the work and given minimum raises in return. Shop around, people. Check out jobs in related fields, too. I'm an Australian cab driver, and I don't even make minimum wage most shifts. Commission job in a regional town rarely pays well. Anyway, I've been looking around and found grocery deliver driver jobs get paid hourly, and the shifts are 4-6hrs long instead of the 9-12hrs long taxi shifts. More money, less hours, similar job. Keep looking around.

[@windex23]

Hoping from job to job, given that you spend at least a year or two at each said job is OK if you have a goal in mind and actually achieve stuff everywhere you stop. Hoping from one job to the other every 2 or 3 month, every time you encounter an obstacle or something you don't like with your new employer, this is not just bad for your resume, it's also bad for you as a person because you don't build the character and don't reinforce your mental strength. Fight or flight. Nobody ever became the best, or even good at something, by just having it handled to them for free. You get good by facing adversity and overcoming it.

[@joyful]

@@windex23 i've taken 3-month long contracts for specific and niche projects. not everyone is a "job hopper" - but just looking for meaningful work in between trying to get permanently hired. it takes months to get into a permanent role. corporations are contributing to the gig economy but then don't want to permanently hire people who successfully take on those engagements.

[@soehnr]

As someone with 7 jobs in the last 3 years, I can share a few things. Covid really messed things up. I had to take jobs I was not proud of just to work and when I could get out of them, I did. Every job I took was just to get out of being unemployed or to get out of working 70 hour weeks. I found that employers (with be exception of my current job) never took the time to train or let me know their expectation. I had to learn through mistakes (which at times got me fired) or I found a crack in the company’s foundation, which they were unwilling to fix. If I continued to work with a broken foundation in my field, that would’ve lead to me not being allowed to work again. I’ve had 3 jobs where I was expected to work 70+ hour weeks every week for the term of my employment (often times 6 months long) and those jobs severely affected my health. I’ve had periods during covid where I didn’t know when I would work and I didn’t get my unemployment payment until 6 months after applying for it. That happened twice. I’ve had 3 jobs where my educational background was seen as a threat to my coworkers instead as an asset to help everyone around me. I have a master’s degree and it’s something that allowed me to pick up things more quickly, see tasks through a critical lens, and improve existing processes quickly. Because of this, I would take in projects others wouldn’t and succeed in them quickly. This prompted political issues that didn’t end well for me. I’ve had 2 jobs I really wanted to have that ended before I could start working there because of covid or the economy. At times I turned down really great jobs to have those really good opportunities and when they fell through the cracks, I didn’t believe I could have a job I would be happy with. My pay for my first job was $20/hour and now I make $100k/year. If I were still making $20/hour (with a master’s degree) I wouldn’t be able to afford living anywhere. The job I have now is a great job I expect to stay at least 5 years. I have goals and expectations my employer is willing to work with me on. If I hit every one I’m gunning for, I expect to stay here till I retire. My company is investing a lot to make sure I’m trained. I get paid well, I love what I do, I’m doing what I love, and I have reliable bosses and coworkers. Out of 7 jobs, this is the only time I had all of these things. What people don’t talk about is covid really affected how I searched for work and what I was willing to take for acceptable work. When you go 4-5 months without hearing anything from your job poster and you’re applying to 50-100 jobs a week, depression and desperation really set in. I was willing to take on work from a bad employer or a toxic work culture to get out from being unemployed.

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

I'd stop bouncing around jobs when one actually follows through on their promise of a living wage and benefits that allow me to thrive rather than live pay check to paycheck and in most cases less. that's why I'm still living with my parents who are getting old. hoping to secure a remote job i can thrive in so i can move to an affordable city (I'm in Los Angeles rn). i swear people need to earn 80k right now a year just to afford a one bedroom and 60-65k just to comfortably afford a room for rent. a few years ago it was 40-50k. Things are insane rn.

[@evasccl7846]

We need and have to be honest with outselves here. The younger generation we have, is the result of the doings (or not doings) of the very same people who criticise them now. HR staff and the Executive and Directors of companies need to do some introspection if they want their business and the people working for them, to flourish and grow. The TOP people are responsible for those responsible for the results of the company. The TOP people have been abusing and "overfocusing" greediness in all areas... that they have absolutely neglected the very people that work for them, that make the company! What happened?? the young generation has caught up with that strategy, experienced first hand the consequences of that through their parents and grandparents... that they have had enough and wont be afraid to leave when the strategy has not changed for the better. These young people, dont want to repeat cycle, but break it.... and they grow frustrated because those before them are now too tired to join shoulders and create together a better insfrastructure where people matter, because they are the ones making the business work in the practical intellectual and emotional way. So we'd all better wake up and decide what is best moving forward, for our children and future generations!

[@almarc3747]

You're right on the money!!!

[@anahataastrology]

Exactly we have upgraded our value system.

[@TravisPluss]

Thank you so much for this! I have heard and experienced too many stories where committed employees get small increases to pay (3%-6%) that doesn’t even keep pace with inflation - and yet their own employer is willing to pay double for a poached employee instead of giving that pay to the committed employee.

[@anahataastrology]

Loyalty isn't rewarded in most big companies. Perhaps a bit still at small business owners and where handwork is still required.

[@evasccl7846]

​@@TravisPluss It is inconceivable and unacceptable to have employees as slaves and increasing their salary that is well below inflation... is an INSULT to intelligence. The young generation are not willing to put up with that and a support them. Working in different places in a short period of time is not a bad sign if HR knew the right questions to actually treat the candidate as a human being with gems that aren't even acknowledged! I could talk for hours about all this. If the CEO'S cared about their workers as they care about growing in profit, power, fame... etc... their business would do much better guaranteed and employees would not fly from a company to another like butterflies from one flower to another. It is common sense, and greed has blinded those in power!

[@ryanrohanlon]

Here's the problem though Simon. A lot of jobs that exist that people take now and their responsibilities often don't require a skill set anymore and management aren't training people so they can have a skill set. They are training them to put the two dreaded words to have on a resume "responsible for". It's not even related to the gig economy, it's the entire job market. Because while time maybe one factor that employers are concerned about, I've had to deal with the other. Having to work in multiple industries. As a person who graduated at the start of the great recession it has to be frank ruined my life and my career prospects. I did internships with organizations related to my major, volunteer and everything professionals, counselors and peers told me to do. Great recession hits and employers I was lined up with increased the job requirements to a Masters degree. Only jobs available were the same jobs that I had in high school. The moment you take that first job out of college, you are defined by your employment history. I went from being a student who worked for presidential libraries under NARA to a Representative at AT&T. Cut my teeth there for over two years applying for management positions but constantly turned down and being the only person in the store with a college degree didn't make me a popular person for management to mentor. Then I took a job as an office administrator at a dental practice, spent my time learning the ins and outs of insurance. Then took a job with the county government which only lasted a month due to a person coming back from maternity leave. Then I took a job at a library and at a medical clinic at the same time for two years. Then I worked in the death care industry for a year. Finally, I worked at a data entry center for a few months before the pandemic. During all this time I should add that I acquired multiple certifications in IT with CompTIA and Microsoft Professional with Windows Server, Medical Insurance billing and coding, data analytics, video editing and project management. Want to know how qualified the job market says I am? I'm not qualified for any job of industry. Because while I've put in the years, I'm just as unqualified because employers want candidates with a linear career title and path working for a related industry. So even if people take the onus on themselves to teach themselves skills, get certification and build a portfolio. Employers don't care because you are defined by your employment history. Add to that desire to only want people who have a linear career path, the over reliance of technology prevents people from transitioning careers now. If you don't have the job title, it doesn't matter how qualified you might be. You're out of the selection process thanks to applicant tracking systems. The job market is broken top down. Managers don't train people to develop a skill set on the job. Employers only want people with a relatable career history, and technology throws out people who put in the time to try and move to another industry or career field.

[@pointblanks]

yup and the employers have the audacity to say they can't find people to work or who have skills. People have skills. They're simply unwilling to take a chance of transferable skills. Employers want the perfect candidate that they don't need to train now! It's funny how confused they get on why these perfect candidates aren't loyal to the company. The top workers trained themselves and owe nothing to their company and will jump ship to another company if it pays more. Companies need to stop complaining about these "fuck boy" workers when they're the ones who created this disloyal workforce. It's very much the same problem with modern dating. Every person learned that you need to be in it for yourself. Companies have no remorse when they throw us under the bus. It's okay when they do it, but not okay when people do? They need to take their head out of their ass and smell how outdated their Folgers grounds are in the breakroom.

[@willybranlund]

I also feel that trust is a BIG issue and I know personally about 8 people who know more people who never got their jobs back when companies were bringing back workers. Just by chance, all of them were 1-3 years away from their pension. 1 woman committed suicide. Now there’s something that wasn’t in the news.

[@Ssecave]

I live in Belgium, where life is expensive. I'm not winning tons of money but it's decent (a bit under 2k/month) and I would NEVER trade it for an other job in the same category but in a big company. Having good coworkers/a good boss is worth it. Trust me.

[@MNP208]

Well said. You have subsidized health insurance in Belgium... one of the best in Europe. In the US, the cost of monthly health care premiums is high and we still have high deductibles to pay.

[@anahataastrology]

As long as you know what it is that is most important to you it's ok. But they can also keep you stuck....just like being too comfortable in your job.

[@outsidetheboxink]

I went to college for six years and worked two part-time jobs throughout. My first full-time job was forgiving of the job bouncing but I was hopelessly miserable being confined to a desk and timed breaks. All the flexibility I enjoyed while paying all my bills was gone for the next 30 years. Then in the 2008 market crash I had no other choice but to work part for multiple employers, if at all. I was told many times that I had too much education for the position. I was grateful to have done it before so I knew what I was in for, but I didn't get medical coverage, paid leave or retirement over a decade of just making ends meet. When I tried to get back to full-time corporate work I was often turned down because I was a freelancer but I hadn't had years in with any particular client. In hindsight, the downside of freelancing for 20 years was missing out on any benefits from work, particularly raises and retirement.

[@TravisPluss]

“Overeducated” or “overqualified” is bullshit. I referred a friend to my team and he was “overqualified” and they ended up hiring someone else with “experience” but barely knew how to use a computer!!!

[@PhysioDetective]

Great points especially the long cycle stuff

[@PhysioDetective]

The ability to withstand the ups and downs is born from having to live through them. Resilience requires exposure.

[@asddsa8203]

1:10 You missed the mark quite a tad here. American businesses love underpaying people. Money is as important as it ever has been.

[@TheNiqabiDiaries]

I dont think people are content with earning less. I think they are always looking for the next best thing, such as easier work with more pay. Or being able to have that dream lifestyle of a freelancer that in reality can be a nightmare in the beginning. I also think that people do not trust their employers because of major cuts being made and long term staff losing their jobs, some of it due to the fact that machines are replacing people. AI is even being made to replace the function of the artist, so what will be left for us?

[@asddsa8203]

If you can quit your current job to get a 30% raise, why would you possibly want to stay? Stay for a company that undervalues you?

[@stevesmith8522]

The gig economy in the uk is a real thing. Employers love it, they can send people home if the restaurant is quiet, the Uber guy has only just started getting some employment rights. It’s swings and roundabouts.

[@ryant9876]

I agree, but I think the Gig Economy is a good thing. - Businesses have to adapt more to keep and recruit new people more now. It's not just about the money they offer. - the business environment has to be different now than it was 10 years ago. Productive for the company yes but also address the needs of the employees. Be a friendly environment etc. - People can get job that are suitable for them, their lifestyles alot more now. If your retired or a student, alot of companies are flexible etc. But for peoples sake, they need to look for a job they are happy and proud to do. You will work for most of your life and that is a very long time to do something you don't really like other than the money they give you. And Most businesses these days give you similar or will give you more pay/benefits anyway. So I would just say, find your passion and stay within that industry. E.g. if your passion is helping people, try maybe public sector jobs, hospitals instead of wasting your time and businesses time going from job-job that give you no job satisfaction.

[@first_namelast_name4597]

Best way for any employee to get more money - to switch firms. Nowhere companies increase salaries according to the market values for those who already work with them for more than a year. Also, a lot of HRs are lying about the actual conditions in their firms so the only way to understand what a shithole you got yourself into is to work for them for a couple of months. After that - it's only normal to quit, because you work to make you life better, not miserable. These people with C words before their position names keep telling about various reasons why their employees are job hopping etc. but nobody touches the first major reason - nobody leaves a workplace they are comfortable in. Why there is a big turnover among low-paid jobs? Because people are job hoppers, because there are a lot of young people there, because it's a job for students? Hell no, because payments are shit and attitude towards the employees is shit and everyone working for such companies feels in their guts they will be thrown out the minute business goes down just a little bit. All these talks about how you should stick around for a long time to make a difference, to influence etc...they are all nonsense. If you work for a fixed salary - your job is to work for this salary, no more, no less. Want more from your employees? Pay more. Want them to stick around - pay more. Want their minds to be calm and productive - create conditions for them to be calm and productive. Want them to go above and beyond - make them co-owners so they feel the effect of their actions in their bank accounts. Everything else, including such speeches, teambuilding events, Q&A sessions and company merch is just attempts to fool you to work harder for nothing.

[@LameFlame]

I totally agree with you and your comment truly reflects the reality in the workplace.

[@mada.movement]

Oh, my dearest Simon Sinek come join us in România also. Let s strat with Transilvania 🙂

[@vlndfee6481]

Employers... pushed this all. Fired nurses and people in other Jobs. Then offered 0 houres contracts. They even do not like it when you have worked somewhere for a long time, they tell you, your not flexible. But companies gonna find out... When people leave they take knowledge, expierence and wisdom with them. Point your finger as boss to yourself first.

[@JoeMac1983]

Employers: Pay your winners. Find out what motivates each of your employees on a personal level. Remember, you get what you pay for. Whether you like it or not, everyone who gets paid $50k or less per year measures their overall worth in the economy to how McDonald's is paying. If you're paying $18 an hour to a maintenance guy who is fixing your HVAC system and McDonald's is paying blue-haired 16-year-olds $18 an hour, don't be surprised if your maintenance guy quiet quits or leaves you hanging on a holiday. Pizza parties and "atta boys" don't pay the bills. Want morale to go up? Issue bonuses or give raises. Fire cancerous workers who drag everyone else down through their attitude or work ethic. Cancer spreads fast and if Sally is getting away with the bare minimum and is allowed to be rude to customers and you're not rewarding me for being courteous and working harder than her, then you can bet that everyone will perform at the least common denominator within a couple months. Good luck retaining any new hires when we all turn into Sally.

[@adambedski]

So so true!!!^^

[@Aced_Dreamer]

So true

[@bigbmessiah]

This comment is the key to keeping people in a workplace, if your worried about people leaving all the time, make them WANT to stay. Find their motivation, find what gives them satisfaction and use that to keep them happy. Its not a one key fits all locks deal, everyone is different, and you need to reward based on an individual level. Its like pruning a plant, cut away what isn't good long term, but nourish the things that are.

[@MNP208]

When you work in health care, the only way to get a meaningful pay increase (unless you're a MD) is to jump ship. Once you're hired, your pay increases are miniscule. We know our employers could care less about us (and our patients), so we have to look out for ourselves.

[@sammonica3829]

Thanks

[@gallevran]

So true.

[@julijaspat4477]

if in the future most people swap their jobs regularly, and this scenario becomes the new norm, this shouldn't be a topic in a job interview.

[@EGAWEF]

Korea is still in its 90s.. Envy the US that they are at least moving forward in terms of well being for employees. Wish korea can remotely think somewhat similarly.

[@amerigodemuto222]

LOVE your messages Simon, but a little mis-step here I think.I agree that ambition and longevity in work have become less a focus and "a job" became the goal. However, in this post-Covid environment to say that people are "more willing to work for less" is not what we are seeing in the work force. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The current climate (as a hiring manager) seems to be a complete reversal. Ambition to succeed and resume concerns have fallen greatly as you asserted, but have been replaced by a want of MORE base pay to do less despite no qualifications or ambition to succeed long term or secure a job that offers prospects of term advancement. People are not willing to take less money for a great, caring environment or security in position or even bonuses for performance. Intterviews have become about "What do you pay per hour?" My company offers incentives, fast track promotions from day one, welcome gifts, tight nit family culture, benefits and genuine involvement in the success and upward movemet to rise within the role to inspire growth and happiness. The overwhelming contention seems to be "yeah, but I heard McDonald's is starting people at $17 per hour... so I'm gonna check that out instead" We even offer referral bonuses to current employees who recommend someone for employ, to BOTH the new employee AND the employee who referred them AND recurring bonuses for BOTH as the new employee moves up to higher positions (NOT contingent upon performance), they don't care, they just want to know "how much will you pay me per hour?" and "I know, I have done nothing to warrant a promotion, but... I've been here 2 months doing the bare minimum, WHEN are you gonna promote me so I can get more per hour?" They don't even care about the promotion, just the fact that promotions mean a raise. Work etihic and personal pride in success/achievement as well as being valued have all but ceased to matter in this climate. What I am seeing is consistently- "how little can I commit to for the absolute most amount of money, with the least amount of effort?" It saddens me to feel this way, but this is 'boots on the ground' what we are seeing now.

[@samnkemdirimagoha]

Wow great informative

[@vincentpoole7588]

S/S. Fear is four letter word - avoid ! Living for today is mostly important in our 'new normal' so enjoy it sir ? V.

[@whatever3554]

I can't afford a mortgage, so I don't have anything holding me down for dear life to the same job for 25 years

[@YoMamasLlama22]

This guy seems so smart

[@hectorae86]

I love you man

[@msbae]

Screw the gig economy, I want a more traditional M-F 9-5 job.

[@asddsa8203]

1:55 Alternatively, a leader would say "damn, those part work experiences must have been atrocious. Well, good thing we care about our employees! The candidate won't leave us because we pay and treat our coworkers well".

[@defaultworkouts]

people HATE change and freelance is constant change and adaptation. this guy talks as if the public is dumb. we all want stability and predictablity in schedule and earnings. i have worked at my job for 21 years. i even said cut my pay but i don't wanna leave. stability is nice especially as you get older

[@MysticLoogie]

This commentary feels very backwards to Simon's normal commentary (hopefully because it is a 2min clip taken out of context). Infinite game clearly articulates that corporate america (particularly in the start up or publicly owned world) focus on short term gains/loses that maximize profitability/valuation. This has resulted in constant radical change within a corporation seeking those short term gains. But as Simon has pointed out a LONG time ago, employees are attracted to the WHY. So if a company's "why" is only focused on short term goals then an employees desire to be at a specific company will also regress to the same 6-9month timeline... It is unfair for corporations to evaluate an employee on changing positions constantly if the goals of that corporation change equally as fast. If a company Starts with why AND sticks with why AND plays an infinite game instead of a finite game... employees will stick with their employer through thick and think

[@jaapspruitenburg6625]

You are right, only there is also a 'but' because to get into the why you should also stick around and maintain position in hard times. In the end it is a two way street... As said I strongly agree with you that the managers lacked first by choosing for the numbers instead for the people.

[@ernestradner156]

📌 I don’t know who but someone needs to hear this,Stock is the oldest online market we have done in the past years, we employ it because of the quality of services it renders and how successful it is, today we now say crypto currency too, You’ve got to stop saving all your money. Venture into investing some, if you really want financial stability.

[@reutermarco1960]

Lately I’ve been thinking of buying cryptocurrency for retirement, I’ve set asides $350k to invest but along the line,I usually get cold feet, maybe because I have no idea what I’m doing, please I could really use some guidelines.

[@rachealmarcotte5255]

@@reutermarco1960 In situations like this,I always recommend to people on getting guidance at least from someone that understands price action and all that while you strive on improving yourself by watching videos and learning fundamental analysis.

[@daninunes8112]

Investment guidance sounds like a great idea,thought about it before but never knew how to go about it.

[@alinedjari6521]

@@daninunes8112 I used to invest on my own because of making your money work for you mentality but never made any progress until I sought the guidance of Daniel Christopher Downes and he has made me understand that strategy is everything.

[@jeanstrassl9956]

Wow…..Daniel Christopher Downes?

[@joyful]

i've worked in a niche tech industry for about a decade. in that time, i have experienced 2 major enterprise-wide layoffs - over 500 people laid off each time. one was due to a known merger completion and one was due to an in-the-works merger that us peons didn't yet know about. in both instances i ended up having to move into short-term contract work. my resume now reflects years of "gig work" - not because i wanted to. it was just the fastest path to acquiring meaning work with a decent wage. it takes months to move through the permanent hiring process, only to not get hired. corporations really need to consider this: why does the same corporation easily hire a contractor for meaningful work/projects, but takes months to interview and assess the same person for an equivalent permanent role? why is someone who clearly delivers and fits within one team within a corporation, looked at askance for trying to get hired on with another team after their contract ends? on a separate note, lots of huge corporations are laying people off in the name of efficiency, but they aren't actually addressing their broken processes and inefficiencies. as someone certified in lean six sigma, and who wants to streamline work so people can focus on meaningful activities....it's just boggling and a little infuriating.

[@cerosietebpositivo351]

Wrong assumptions! Sinek is assuming that people who are hoping from jobs to jobs will continue to be employees FOREVER, Well, do the gigs, buy books, tons of books, learn, learn, learn as much as you can, know as many people as you can also in your experiences...So, you'll never have to "beg" once again for a 9-5 job somewhere...work for yourself!!!

[@TitanCoach]

A lot of people have had forced transitions directly or indirectly due to the pandemic. Also, people ARE reflecting and transitioning to other jobs or careers to get alignment with their WHY!

[@lakshilamihira4882]

yeh

[@Am-graphix]

Moving home because they can't afford the rent/cost to buy.

[@ropro9817]

To me, someone that jumps every ~12 months (or faster!) is still a red flag. 🧐 This indicates to me that potentially, some or all of the following are true: - You haven't figured out what you want yet and you keep changing your mind and are too flippant - You lack deep skills in any domain, industry or technology - You are impatient - You're not mature enough to work through any professional relationship issues - You have very little loyalty - You are unable to build relationships with your team - You have poor communication skills - You like to play the victim card (it's not my fault, it's my team mate/manager/company's fault)

[@asddsa8203]

Do you understand what loyalty is? What has the company done to instill any semblance of loyalty into the employee? If people are quitting your company this quickly, it's high time for introspection. You're fucking up something fierce.

[@ropro9817]

@@asddsa8203 Dear gen-Z dude: Chill. I did say 'one or all of the following'. I am not excusing shitty behavior by companies for a second. If that _is_ the case, by all means, find a better company. However, if this keeps happening, guess what? It means that employee is also bad at picking employers. You can't avoid blame forever.

[@olivercurry2392]

𝐩𝓻Ỗ𝓂Ø𝓈Ｍ 👊