Photo Story - It is 1998 all over again - Welcome to Free Agent Nation
Fast Company issue #12 from 1998, “Free Agent Nation,” is a "time capsule" that is just as relevant at this exact moment.
The “Artifact” Connection
I find that I am getting back to physical things. A magazine has a specific physical nature. In a world of digital links, I now have the 1998 paper copy. This is a good reminder of my new focus on physical prints, like the Canon Selphy, which lets me print 4x6 photos.
I had this magazine back then, but through moves and time, most of what I had back then is gone. When I retired, I had a problem. I seemed only to remember the difficult times. I have been on a bit of a binge, picking up key moments from my life. Items that remind me of the good times I had. Mostly old computer magazines.
How this magazine changed my life
With mass layoffs and distrust of corporations as a safe career path, people are looking to manage their own careers. In 1998, this movement was a big part of Fast Company Magazine’s coverage, called “Company of One” or “Free Agent Nation.”
This magazine had a big effect on reinforcing my belief in directing my own career. I was an employee, but in each company and role, I was a “Consultant of One.” I was the Project Manager, Solution Architect, Developer, Implementer, and Trainer for a specific project.
The “Consultant of One” Mentality
The “Free Agent Nation” article changed how I viewed my consulting roles. The job-for-life model was dying at that point, but it was officially over if you wanted to succeed. The key lesson was that I wasn’t just an employee but was a service provider. Not just for the current company, but what I learned I could use to advance my career elsewhere.
I was a constant learner; every task, every engagement, every project added to my “basket of skills” that I could pull from for the next opportunity. Being on the road, traveling from province to province or state to state, gave me time to read and learn. I still have most of those books (Note: the picture of the 2 piles on my bookshelf).
Through suggestions from Fast Company and its authors, I built quite a sizable collection of business books. Again, the constant travel really allowed me to learn. Being a developer, I really could not work on the planes.
Lessons for today
If you are currently in the workforce, these lessons from 1998 are still relevant today. Treat every experience as a learning experience. Always have a plan B. It may be difficult, but when I went through the tech layoffs of 2023, I was just a few months shy of 60. I was in a different space and looking at retirement. Of the almost 20 other people on my call, most were at the midpoint of their careers. Some had just purchased a car or a house, or had young children.
You never know what will happen from day to day, especially now, when we are just a number on the income statement. You need to gain back control of your career.
Wrap Up
Let’s wrap up by reinforcing that “The Second Act” is just the latest version of being a “Free Agent”.
When you look back at your career transitions, what was the one ‘artifact’ or piece of advice that gave you the confidence to manage your own path?
Have you had something that has changed your career?
I would love to hear from you.
The Technical Appendix (The “Data Sheet”)
Project: Magazine Cover photo.
Equipment
GODOX 60x60cm / 24x24inch Foldable Grid Softbox + S-Type Bracket Bowens Mount Holder for Studio Photography (SFGV6060)
Godox TT350N Mini Thinklite TTL on-camera flash
Godox XPro-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger
Nikon Z 6 with Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/4 S
Picture 1
Photo Title: Magazine, Fast Company, December: January 1998
Camera & Lens: Nikon Z 6 with Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/4 S
Exposure and ISO : 1/200 SEC at F5.0, ISO 1600
Picture 2
Photo Title: Favorite Business Books
Camera & Lens: Nikon Z 6 with Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/4 S
Exposure and ISO: 1/125 SEC at F5.0, ISO 1600