Work Like a Young Entrepreneur

young

Some people get hijacked by Scripture. I get hijacked by people describing their workflows. In particular, Jason Fried’s. Fried founded 37signals.com, a web-based software development company. In an interview in Inc., here’s how he describes a part of his workday:

I usually get to work between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Of the 16 people at the company, eight of us live here in Chicago. Employees come to the office if and when they feel like it, or else they work from home. I don’t believe in the 40-hour workweek, so we cut all that BS about being somewhere for a certain number of hours. I have no idea how many hours my employees work — I just know they get the work done.

Notice how he said “40-hour workweek.” Some weeks, that may mean you work 60, 70 hours. Other weeks it may mean you work 20. Or 10. Or even four. Either way, younger people seem to gravitate towards “getting things done” rather than “punching the clock”. Either way, this is the quintessential work philosophy for the next generation workforce:

  • Show up when they feel it appropriate to show up; when their schedule allows.
  • Work from where they want to work. Not necessarily where a company dictates.
  • Working to accomplish goals rather than passing the time.

If you are leading a team full of young people, this is how they think. If you want to lead a team of young people, this is how they will think. If you are frustrated with the young people in your workforce because they think this way, they will always think this way whether you’re frustrated with them or not. If you aren’t willing to compromise with this younger generation, they will take their time and talents and find a place that will.

This was a great look into a start-up company with a young person at the helm. As young people take leadership positions in America’s workforce, look for more of this, not less.

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Contributor: Justin Wise

A religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with his wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Culture + Faith + Technology. Contact the author
  • Great discussion and thoughts here. I think you are right in your observations. I would rather get the job done then punch the clock.
  • Coming from a young person who works, I agree with this completely. I hate having to work for the sake of working, without any real goals to aim towards...

    I always get done what needs to get done too, regardless if it's from 8-5 or late at night, it still gets done.

    Thanks Justin!
  • You bet, bud. Now how do we bring this to the church? What would that look like?
  • I feel like it would change how directors hold their staff accountable for their work. Instead of keeping track of a particular employee's hours, the director and employee would create some goals for work/projects and keep track of those.

    It definitely would not be traditional, but I feel like it would be more effective, especially for our generation.
  • sammahlstadt
    AMEN! I just finished writing a blog post about this same thing this afternoon. Gen Y will rule the world soon, and the rules are changing.
  • Can't wait to read it!
  • Agreed. That model is becoming more and more popular.
  • My thoughts exactly... I'm 28 and just took a new job largely because it offered the ability to (at some point) work from home. As a software developer, I can often be more productive at home where I'm more comfortable, where no one is bothering me, etc. I want to be able to go to a dentist appointment during the day without feeling guilty, even if I stay later that afternoon - nothing like dirty looks from others who religiously show up 9-5 and don't do crap all day. And how about useless dress code rules? Like I said, I'm a developer - I don't want to wear a tie to sit in a cubicle all day. Let me wear jeans and anything non-vulgar, like I'm old enough to dress myself.
  • yeah Craig... good thoughts, and as a developer - you know the importance of non-interrupted work blocks, something the the open office set-up is not attuned for... As a former PM - our developers always became frustrated when conversation/noise/questions interrupted their work flow.

    In fact we tried to only communicate through IM, FF, and now GWave, unless it was mission critical to interrupt.
  • Amanda
    This is exactly the way my boss runs. I've worked with her for almost 5 years and we get along so well because she doesn't micromanage my time. I do what she asks. If she asks for way too much we talk about what is more reasonable. If I'm bored, we talk about it and she gives me something challenging. Most weeks I have no idea how many hours I work. She has said before that she doesn't care if you surf the internet for a couple hours, if you are a "trainwreck" and get your job done by the deadline- go for it.
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