A perspective on connection
Cultivating connection, growth, and culture for career generalists
We’re taking a short break from regular programming for “from Our Perspectives” – essays from internal team members that share a personal perspective on internal project management. This week, we’re featuring a perspective from Nora on the oAT Collective, a unique, invite-only community that supports and develops career generalists.
Company culture is not just a buzzword in the background of new employee interviews, it is a core driver of success and employee retention. In the fast-paced startup environment, implementing and nourishing culture-building initiatives early and often is essential, especially as individual roles and responsibilities continually evolve. It’s estimated that the average adult living in the United States will spend 90,000 hours — or one-third of their lives — at work. When companies invest in their culture, they are investing in their longevity.
of All Trades is rooted in providing a new way for generalists to work. We believe in supporting the future of work with multi-functional operators that bridge the gap between traditional business functions to drive scaleable and sustainable growth with mission-driven organizations. The oAT Collective is a manifestation of that that allows oAT to go further, nurturing new generalists while also vetting for future opportunities. This commitment to culture forms the foundation of our Collective. The oAT Collective is an internal initiative that began in an effort to nurture the generalist community. The people in the collective are not all employed by oAT but are brought together by the fact that we identify as generalists and we also have an interest in what oAT is building and would like to be a part of it.
When I joined oAT earlier this year, I was particularly excited to take on managing the collective. I saw the opportunity as a way to preserve and enrich a community that immediately validated my entire working background. I am a generalist and our oAT Collective helped me to not only embrace that title but to honor it as well.
In the oAT Collective, generalists are encouraged, both through structured programming and in their own time, to connect with one another—building networks and learning from peers. Each season, we focus on a relevant topic that helps members grow as generalists, providing them with valuable skills like strategic tools for sustainable work and enhanced communication techniques. Through these sessions, members gain insight into oAT’s core values while deepening connections with others in the oAT universe. Generalists who fully engage with the collective emerge invigorated in their work, more prepared for sustainable success, and emboldened to advocate for oAT as a company. Beyond being a community and educational tool, the collective also serves as a valuable vetting mechanism, helping us identify future talent who align with our culture and values.
Our “Give/Get Model” allows us to sustainably support the collective while also utilizing it as a vetting mechanism for our talent. By dedicating company time, resources, and knowledge to support prospective team members we aim to build relationships grounded in shared values and experiences. In turn, we gain a sense of how these individuals could enrich our culture if they were to ultimately join our team of “GoATs” – as we like to call them.
We see the oAT Collective as an integral initiative to sustain and enhance oAT’s people-centric culture, which values adaptability, creativity, and teamwork. Instead of only seeking output from those a part of the oAT ecosystem we instead choose to invest in these individuals. By having the collective, we are able to double down on one of oAT’s fundamental beliefs that generalists are indispensable parts of any organization, and that there is room in the world for career generalists. When generalists first join the collective, they're often surprised by the strength of the community. Many come in without a clear understanding of what a generalist is or that it’s possible to build a career in this field. But when they join the collective they are met with friendly, passionate folks who wear the title of generalist proudly and enthusiastically encourage others to do the same while navigating the ever-changing reality of startups together.
Though the collective is invite-only, we remain open to interest from those who reach out seeking more information on oAT or potential career growth opportunities. The Collective allows candidates to see if this collaborative, community-driven experience resonates with their career goals. This model is not meant to limit opportunities but rather to create space for generalists from various backgrounds to demonstrate their strengths, build relationships, and find alignment with oAT’s mission.
At the end of the day, people want to work for companies that they feel support their interests as human beings; companies that see their employees and respond to their needs. The oAT Collective is more than a network, and it’s more than a hiring funnel – it is our response to the modern generalist and those who do this work, do it well, and want to make a career from it. The oAT Collective provides space for generalists to cultivate their skills, learn from their peers, and grow with a company that values and celebrates them for their diverse and unique backgrounds. For oAT and those within the collective, this model represents a mutually beneficial path forward—one that emphasizes connection, growth, and the positive impact of culture-driven talent development.
Writer: Nora
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