Do you know what a portfolio career is? And if you’re a manager, how do you manage someone who has one?

A portfolio career is one where a person has more than one career at the same time. Take me for example:

Career 1
I work for the Open University as an Associate Lecturer on three different courses:
- Understanding Management (Y159)
- Data, Computing and Information (M150)
- Business Organisations and their Environments (B201)

That means I’m actually an employee of the Open University – PAYE, part time work.

Career 2
I’m also employed by my own company. I’m a Director of upd8 technology ltd. That company publishes websites (like this one amongst others) and provides coaching and training services as well as technology advice.

Career 3 and 4 and …
And that’s not all – I build websites, I write (like in this blog for example, as well as elsewhere) and I’m also an authorised distributor for utilities. And more!

If I came to work for you and you had to manage me, what difference would it make that I have a portfolio career rather than one, more traditional career?

Well, speaking personally … I won’t depend on you for my livelihood, so if you don’t treat me the way I want, I’ll walk … I love what I do, so I’ll always be enthusiastic and energetic about what I do … I’ll meet deadlines, because I’m good at juggling (I have to be) … but also, when I say I’m not available, then I’m not, because I really do have to be somewhere else.

If you’re managing someone who has a portfolio career, then are things really any different from managing someone who doesn’t have one? It’s still about understanding your employee and working out how to bring about the best possible performance, together.