The Changing Nature of Work
My usual answer to the question “What has happened to make Crowdsourcing the ‘it’ trend?” is not at all surprising: the Internet, Globalization, and Broad Acceptance of Social Networking Principles. But I increasingly believe that there is another that is perhaps equally important and more profound in its impact on our lives. With credit due someone else for the term I’m sure, I call it “The Changing Nature of Work”.
Now before you dismiss my premise, saying “What work? Unemployment is out of control!”, hear me out.
I am not talking about the current difficult economy. Nor am I going to fixate on the positive macroeconomic ramifications of increasing innovation efficiencies through crowdsourcing for organizations. Those topics get plenty of coverage.
I am talking about the positive and empowering impact on real people and their work made possible by the increasing trend toward project based work on a global scale. Today, too few have the opportunity to do the work for which they are exceptionally capable and passionate, but that is changing.
Why is this so important? Because the current system of matching people to work is weathered and insufficient. As in all things human, there are a multitude of reasons why, but the reality is that billions of people are not doing what they could or should be doing. They are punching the clocks and doing good work to be sure, but are they doing the kind of work that comes from applying their talents and energy toward the work products for which they have a passion? In fact some would argue that MOST people are in the WRONG jobs. The opportunity costs are incalculable. (more…)
