Your Work Friends | Fresh Insights on the Now and Next of Work Open Talent: Why Your Career Should Be a Portfolio, Not a Ladder with John Winsor
In this episode, we sit down with John Winsor, Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School’s Digital, Design, and Data (D³) Institute, Open Assembly Founder and Author of many books including Open Talent: Leveraging a Global Workforce to Solve Your Biggest Challenges,
We dug into how the open talent revolution is transforming how we work. John unpacks why both companies and workers are shifting to portfolio careers, and reveals why "we own employees" is a dying concept being replaced by "I'm gonna make it so sexy and attractive that I'm gonna attract you into it." Adopting an abundance mindset can unlock new career growth.
Whether you are managing teams or building your own path, this conversation offers real strategies to thrive in the new world of work.
Listen for:
- Why talent hoarding is killing innovation and career growth
- How to shift from scarcity to abundance mindset in your career
- The three key pillars of the Open Talent model that drive success
- Why the future belongs to optimists with portfolio careers
- Simple ways to start "moonlighting" while keeping your day job
- The leadership shift from controlling talent to attracting it
Whether you're feeling stuck in a corporate role or managing teams, this episode gives you real tools to thrive in the new world of work where projects replace permanent positions.
Episode Highlights
⏰ 4:30 Open Talent Defined: John explains the system that's replacing traditional employment and why it works for both companies and individuals
⏰ 10:15 The Abundance Mindset: Why scarcity thinking is killing innovation and how abundance creates better outcomes for everyone
⏰ 15:40 "We Don't Own Employees": The shocking origin story of why controlling talent is a failed approach
⏰ 22:50 Internal Talent Marketplace: How smart companies are ending talent hoarding and unlocking innovation
⏰ 29:10 Start Now: John's practical advice for testing portfolio work while still employed (hint: "just go try some shit!")
About John:
John Winsor is a globally recognized leader in the future of work, open talent, and AI-driven workforce strategies. Recently appointed as an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School’s Digital, Design, and Data (D³) Institute, he focuses on the evolving intersection of work, technology, and talent. As the founder of Open Assembly, he has been instrumental in pioneering the adoption of open talent and freelancing models. His best-selling book, Open Talent: Leveraging a Global Wor
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.
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