The Case for Professional Centaurs
I'm either going to look like an absolute idiot or a fucking genius.
I believe that most people are multi-dimensional and don't want to do one thing at work all day long. Marketers want to build software. Engineers want to create content. Product people want to learn to market.
At the same time, companies are (or should be) fighting for distribution more than ever before. It's one of the few remaining moats in business and will continue to get harder as AI drives abundance, while attention remains finite.
Hybrid Roles
It's why I've introduced a sort of hybrid role at Tenex that I haven't seen at other companies. It's like the professional version of a cyborg or centaur.
Engineers can be creators. Creators can build software. PMs can be teachers and trainers.
If you're wondering whether AI is really reshaping how we work, I've written about whether AI is coming for your job and what that actually means for professionals.
Jack-of-Some-Trades
All of this to say, I think companies should start leaning into their people being jack-of-some-trades, especially in the interest of earning the attention of the internet.
There are dozens of high-ROI AI use cases that make this kind of role blending more practical than ever.
Join Us
If you want to be a professional centaur, shoot me a DM.
Some examples:
- An AI engineer looking to build software and create content
- A product designer looking to build with AI and teach about it
- A full-stack video producer/editor looking to build with and create content around AI
- An AI-native consultant working with clients and looking to write deep essays about this wave
Bottom Line
The future belongs to people who refuse to be boxed into a single role. Multi-dimensional professionals who can create, build, and teach will be the ones earning attention in an increasingly crowded landscape.
Companies that embrace this hybrid approach won't just attract better talent. They'll build distribution moats that become harder and harder to replicate.
If you're ready to become a professional centaur, reach out.