Unemployed or Unengaged
The article ‘The Demographic Drought | Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force’ by Lightcast made some good points.
I couldn’t agree more!! An unengaged workforce is the biggest threat to American business.
The article pointed out that:
- Our working-age population is increasing, but the labor force participation rate is down
- The US is witnessing a record number of job openings
- Recovering our workforce is not about the employed vs. unemployed; it is about the unengaged.
People come to work to contribute to something bigger than themselves, a common goal. In manufacturing people want to contribute to an organization that makes life better for others and workers know how their efforts make a difference. In service, people want to help other people make a better life with one-to-one interactions.
People come to work to change the world they live in, not to be entertained. Engagement does not mean pandering to the whims of people. People can see right through those superficial attempts at manipulation. The only solution is to make engagement meaningful to people.
Faulty management practices tolerated by the ‘Baby Booms’ were never right. They weren’t right when Boomers were young, and they are not right now. Boomers just learned to accept it, to tolerate the environment. People entering the workforce are choosing not to participate at all.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programs are an attempt to build people who are engaged in creating a better society using practical application of theory and can compete in the new world economy. HOWEVER, when students emerge from the cocoon of educational institutions they are thrown into the world of business management that appears to attempt to tamp out all enthusiasm, dignity, motivation, community, teamwork, etc.
The answer to both situations is to change the traditional work environment NOW. Before all enthusiasm is driven out of STEM graduates, and they become disengaged. For existing companies that have already disenfranchised their existing workforce, upgrading management policies and procedures might re-engage some of the people.
Changing how organizations are managed is not for the faint of heart. Just like STEM programs, it is about learning theories and principles behind managing. Then applying or adapting those principles to their situation. It is not about finding the ‘right program’ to purchase off the shelf. It’s about applying theory to creating an organization you can be proud of.
As the old quote goes: “Opportunity is Missed Because It Is Dressed in Overalls and Looks Like Work”
I’m on a personal quest to ‘Change The (business) World,’ not entertain the audience. How about you?