In Rethinking Work, Rishad Tobaccowala invites us to rethink how work is being reshaped. One powerful lens: marketplace models.
Broadly, three types are redefining careers:
1️⃣ Marketplaces That Connect
- Airbnb
- Upwork
They connect supply and demand. Speed, trust, and network effects dominate.
2️⃣ Marketplaces That Empower
- Shopify
They empower entrepreneurs. Ecosystem thinking and scalability matter.
3️⃣ Marketplaces That Enable
- Deel
- SafetyWing
They remove friction — payroll, compliance, benefits. Precision and risk management are critical.
Why This Matters for Mid-Career Leaders & Founders
Earlier transitions were:
- Services → Product
- Corporate → Startup
Now the shift is deeper. Leaders are moving across marketplace logics.
That means:
- New decision rhythms
- Different risk appetites
- Cultural recalibration
- Identity shifts
The discomfort many feel is not incompetence. It is contextual mismatch.
Where Coaching Makes the Difference
At this intersection, coaching helps leaders:
- Decode the new ecosystem
- Decide what to retain, rewire, or release
- Evolve from operator → marketplace thinker
But the deeper layer is beliefs.
In his upcoming book Beyond Belief, Nir Eyal poses a powerful idea:
Are your beliefs limiting you — or liberating you?
Transitions often stall because of invisible assumptions:
- “I must control everything.”
- “Expertise equals authority.”
- “Speed proves value.”
Marketplace shifts test these beliefs.Some must be strengthened. Some must be released.
Reflection:
- Are you changing roles — or are you changing marketplace logic?
And which belief must evolve with it?
Careers today are ecosystem migrations. The leaders who thrive are those who pivot consciously.