18 COLLABORATION IS BETTER THAN DOMINATION

Smith concludes his discussion on labour by saying, ‘The greater their numbers, the more they naturally divide themselves into different classes and subdivisions of employment. More heads are occupied in inventing the most proper machinery for executing the work of each, and it is therefore more likely to be invented.’

DEFINING IDEA…

In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.

~ CHARLES DARWIN, ENGLISH NATURALIST

This idea of collaboration is one that was taken further by French sociologist and philosopher Emile Durkheim. His theory of collective representation is the social power of ideas stemming from their development through the interaction of many minds. Durkheim is still considered one of the most influential figures in sociology and his commentary often acts as a counterbalance between Smith’s capitalist ideals and Karl Marx’s totally socialist vision.

Smith often seems at pains to infuse his argument with morality and ethics. Perhaps I’m being optimistically generous, but his earlier work on ethics, The Theory of Moral Sentiment, together with his subtle insistence that a collective, collaborative approach is always preferable to dominance and servitude, indicates a genuine belief in this philosophy. Perhaps he fully appreciated the failings and potential for exploitation that Durkheim was so keen to expose. A free market economy lends itself perfectly to manipulation by unscrupulous practitioners and perhaps Smith wanted to do his bit to veer people away from exploitation. However, he was also a canny Scot who understood that the only way to do so was to appeal to economic, rather than social sensibilities.

In addition, it was clear to Smith that, ‘The superiority of the independent workman over those servants who are hired by the month or by the year and whose wages and maintenance are the same whether they do much or do little is likely to be still greater.’

In modern times this idea can be seem unusual amid the growth in outsourcing. Daniel Pink wrote a book called Free Agent Nation (2002), in which he talks about the ‘new movement’ sweeping across America and beyond. According to Pink, up to twenty-five million independent ‘free agents’ in the US alone contracted their services out to employers on a payper-use basis. This works for the employer because they get to keep staff costs down and they can be assured of a high standard of work from the contractor, but it also suits the individual, who is able to charge more for his or her skills, gain autonomy and long-term security.

In business, there is an almost instinctive compulsion to keep labour costs to an absolute minimum and yet Smith points out that this strategy is not only counterproductive to long-term success, but if you don’t look after your workforce and encourage their participation they will not create the innovations that could pave the way for even greater success.

HERE’S AN IDEA FOR YOU…

Could you become part of the free agent nation? Does your job have outsourcing possibilities, where you might collaborate with other employers and offer a better service for less time and more money? During economic difficulties it is always wise to assess your current skills and see where else they could be used and who else might be willing to pay for them.