Episode 6: The Corporate Culture Reckoning - Part 1. What Should Future Ready Leaders Do to Support Their People and Their Business in the Side Hus...

13 Sep 2023 4 min read

About the episode

In this episode of the Future Ready CMO podcast, the team at Infinite Edge discussed the rising trend of side hustles among the younger generation of workers in the United States with Infinite Edge project manager Ashley Battle. The speakers talked about the shift in the traditional notions of job security and the rise of the gig economy. They also discussed the changing dynamics of the workplace in a post-COVID world, where companies are grappling with the challenge of encouraging workers back into the office and being met with resistance.

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Key speakers

- Deanna Paredes, Co-host of Future Ready CMO

- Mary Gilbert, Co-host of Future Ready CMO

- Ashley Battle, Project Manager at Infinite Edge Consulting and Founder of Excluded Fashion

Agenda

The podcast explored the impact and implications of the rise of side hustle culture among the younger workforce. It also aimed to understand the changing dynamics of the workplace and how employers can benefit from supporting their employees' side hustles.

Takeaways

Takeaway 1: The rise of the “side hustle culture” and a shift in workplace dynamics

The rise of the side hustle culture, particularly among the younger generation, is reshaping the workplace landscape. This shift is primarily driven by the changing nature of employment, financial insecurity, and the desire for personal fulfillment.

As more millennials and Gen Z workers engage in side hustles, the traditional notions of job security and loyalty are being challenged, leading to a more complex dynamic between employees and employers.

Mary emphasized these changes, stating, "The traditional notions of job security and the expectations of staying with a single company for the long haul have been challenged, giving rise to a new normal embracing side hustles to take control of financial destinies." Furthermore, Ashley, shared her personal experience, underscoring the importance of pursuing personal ambitions alongside professional responsibilities. She highlighted the significance of self-determination and the desire for autonomy as key drivers in this shift.

However, this trend is not without its complications. Mary acknowledged the skepticism and concern from older generations of workplace managers who perceive younger workers as "disloyal and unfocused." The challenge lies in finding a balance between supporting employee side hustles and maintaining workplace productivity and loyalty.

Takeaway 2: Empowerment and self-determination in the workplace

The speakers also discussed the evolving dynamics of the workplace in a post-COVID world, which is characterized by a profound desire for autonomy and the resistance to return to traditional office settings. This shift underscores the importance of creating workplaces that value individual aspirations, empower employees, and respect their need for self-determination.

Mary noted, "This resistance embodies a profound desire for autonomy and self-authority, a longing to retain the newfound sense of freedom that remote work afforded." Ashley, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of having a supportive work environment that allows for flexibility and personal growth.

In the context of side hustles, Mary, suggested that employers could benefit from their employees' extracurricular activities, as they often result in developing transferrable soft skills, such as time management, prioritization, and improved communication.

Takeaway 3: The importance of aligning personal ambitions with professional responsibilities

The discussion further delved into the delicate balance between pursuing personal ambitions and fulfilling professional responsibilities. Ashley shared her experience of launching Excluded Fashion, a fashion media company, while maintaining her day job. Her story highlighted the challenges and motivations behind keeping her ambitions under wraps, showing the intricate dance of managing a side hustle alongside a full-time job.

Ashley explained, "I was kind of upset with myself not telling you guys about it. But I think it's because it almost feels like when somebody has a side hustle, that can be used as the first weapon against them in the workplace." She stressed that having a side hustle should not be seen as a mark against an employee but rather as a testament to their initiative, creativity, and ability to manage their time and resources effectively.

In conclusion, all agreed on the need for a shift in workplace culture that supports and enables employees to pursue their side hustles without fear of retribution or mistrust. This not only enhances employees' skill sets but also contributes positively to the overall workplace dynamic.

Insights surfaced

The traditional notions of job security and the expectations of staying with a single company for the long haul have been challenged, giving rise to a new normal embracing side hustles.
The younger workforce is feeling the brunt of this uncertainty and many find themselves juggling not only their main jobs, but also their side hustles or passion projects.
The older generation of workplace managers often view this trend with concern and skepticism, seeing this generation of workers as disloyal and unfocused.
In a post-COVID world, companies are grappling with the challenge of encouraging workers back into the office and being met with remarkable resistance.
The desire for autonomy and self-authority is leading to a broader cultural shift in the relationship between employers and employees.
Side hustles can provide employees with additional learning opportunities, improve their time management, prioritization, and communication skills.

Key quotes

"The traditional notions of job security and the expectations of staying with a single company for the long haul have been challenged, giving rise to a new normal embracing side hustles." - Mary Gilbert
"The tug of war between returning to the office and embracing flexible work arrangements underscores the importance of fostering workplaces that empower individuals value their unique aspirations." - Mary Gilbert
"If you create a toxic work environment where employees are unhappy, regardless of if they have a side hustle or not, you're not going to get the best quality work or keep the best quality employees." - Ashley Battle
"Figure out what you want out of it and just go for it. Don't be afraid to go for it because the worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work out and if it doesn't, then you can go back, re-evaluate and figure out why and then go back and do something different or try it again." - Ashley Battle
"If you're not motivated by your own intrinsic values, you are going to go navigate your career through a superficial lens of I got to have a job." - Dee Anna Paredes