The Chris Voss Show The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Organizational Freelancer by Tracey M. Batacan
Mar 30, 2026
Tracey M. Batacan, adjunct professor and digital communications pro, shares stories from her book The Organizational Freelancer. She explains taking cross-functional roles to deliver digital projects fast. She talks about leading without a title, pitching ROI-driven training, risks and opportunities with AI, mentoring, and building adaptable career skills.
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Episode notes
Act Like An Internal Freelancer
- Do act as an internal freelancer by filling gaps beyond your job description to deliver concrete results for the organization.
- Tracey reduced content turnaround from 3–4 months to 3–4 days and social posts to 48 hours by volunteering editorial and process work.
Leadership Comes From Action Not Title
- Leadership is not defined by title; you can lead from the middle by delivering ideas that uplift the organization.
- Tracey invokes Phil Palatano's advice to "check your ego at the door" and prioritize collective gains over personal awards.
Secure Buy-In And Recruit Volunteers First
- Do get leadership buy-in and recruit volunteers before launching cross-functional projects to ensure support and shared ownership.
- Tracey recommends clarifying it's not about awards but about helping the entire organization so people donate time willingly.
