MAKE YOUR OWN JOB

The social impact of entrepreneurialism.

According to Baker, a Harvard lecturer, there has long been tension in the United States between corporate work—stressing systems, hierarchy, and a steady paycheck—and entrepreneurialism, with an emphasis on innovation, risk, and individualism. The valorization of the entrepreneur has moved in cycles, which Baker tracks through the 20th century and into the 21st. There was an acknowledgment that corporations could easily become stagnant and needed an occasional shot of entrepreneurial energy to thrive. One answer, pioneered by sales groups like Amway and Avon, was to minimize the number of employees and instead build an army of contractors. This strategy developed into attempts by corporate leaders to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among employees. It makes sense, but Baker sees clear downsides. “Entrepreneurialism, essentially, adds another set of obligations to the work ethic: creation as well as execution, passion as well as perseverance,” he says. “It’s exhausting.” At the same time, tiers of jobs were farmed out, creating the gig economy. Stability was exchanged for precarious autonomy. This does much to explain the epidemic of burnout and despair, according to Baker, even while the benefits of lower costs and increased productivity flow relentlessly upward. He is able to keep this sprawling narrative on course, although he offers no real solution, aside from suggesting that “our collective commitment to entrepreneurialism—the idea that everyone should strive to be entrepreneurial—isn’t helping.” Nevertheless, this book will be of interest to anyone interested in business culture and social trends.

With solid authority, Baker examines the entrepreneurial idea and how it has shaped the nature of the work we do.