In Europe, there is a far better quality of work life and far less income inequality. Quality performance is managed by companies that pay well and provide the environments in which workers can network and learn by breaking apart hierarchies and tightly controlled systems of delegation.

In the US, fewer than 15% of companies work this way. This approach to work encourages productivity and profits by replacing the idea of “job security” with the concept of any worker gaining stable employment by performing a series of challenging assignments and doing them well. This assumes that the worker gives a high degree of service and intelligence by “working smart” rather than “working harder or more”.

As a result of working this way, workers can build a quality portfolio of work that keeps them continuously employed. These workers meet other portfolio workers through the actual exercise of work and learning and exchange job opportunities or recommend each other to employers when teams are being formed for mission-critical assignments.

On the job, you can identify and distinguish a portfolio worker by watching the way s/he

•exercises a distinct expertise that grows in-depth;

•solves problems through various forms of networking;

•builds career stability through reputation and actual service rather than through employer dependency.

Portfolio workers learn and join in work with others through consciously defined work practices that go well beyond the behaviors of “who do you know” and grow from “who have you worked with and what have you learned with them?”

So while most workers cannot change an entire company, an individual can shift personal thinking and actions to influence change on the job that brings more job satisfaction by

•taking the time to reexamine your personal values;

•initiating a personal learning strategy;

•identifying who you want to learn with and gaining their cooperation;

•taking the initiative to apply what you learn on the job;

•and personally documenting and measuring the value you contribute to others on specific projects which you staff.

By shaping your career as a portfolio of learning and accomplishment, you can guide yourself to your next job or shape your own business with clients in service of high performance work for growing job satisfaction and income.

Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Lavinia to learn if this coaching model is right for you; and to identify a program (and fees) that is right for you.

You can schedule this complimentary consultation with Lavinia through email at coregroup@workecology.com.

Read more about Portfolio Work here:

Portfolio Workers: The Core Group Talent Pool by Lavinia Weissman