Posted by Dave Lorenzo - Business Coach

These days, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those between the ages of 18 and 32 years of age will hold up to eight different jobs, on average. Loyalty to the same company for one’s entire working life is a concept that has almost faded out of being, as has company commitment to providing life-long employment. This is the age of the individual.

The core value of any money-making organization is its own best interests and profitability. Therefore, putting your fate in the hands of a self-interested organization is not a wise move. The kind of person most vulnerable to the hiring and firing whims of employers are Workplace Warriors, those who provide essential services but little individual value. Intrepreneurs, risk-averse individuals who thrive in a corporate structure, are the most secure, as they offer unique talents that are not easy to replace. Their loyalties are first of all to themselves. They leverage their skills to provide invaluable services and make themselves indispensable. Even if they are fired (though they rarely are), they won’t have much trouble finding great work in the future, since they spend their careers generating portable individual equity.

Whether you want to strike out on your own and start your own business or you feel more secure in a corporate framework, I encourage you to be primarily loyal to yourself. Develop your skills, educate yourself, grow, and shape yourself into a priceless asset to your company and clients. In this scenario, everyone wins.

Filed under: Individual Economy
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1. […] To Thine Own Self Be True - Loyalty to the same company for one’s entire working life is a concept that has almost faded out of being, as has company commitment to providing life-long employment. […]

   Pingback by Million Dollar Goal » Carnival of Personal Finance #45 — April 23, 2006 @ 23:37

2. […] David Lorenzo presents To Thine Own Self Be True posted at The Career Intensity Blog. […]

   Pingback by My Money Forest - Personal Finance, Investing, Business and more! — April 24, 2006 @ 05:07

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