Where are all the people??

I frequently hear from leaders about the difficulty in recruiting. They say "people are lazy" and "no one wants to work anymore" and believe they are common causes for the labor gap. While, yes, there are some people who just don't want to work, I could argue that isn't anything new nor does it describe the difficulty in recruiting. What's different is that it's more apparent because our labor gap is now wider than pre-Covid.

Let's be honest - there was already a labor gap. Birth rates are significantly lower now than in the 1950s and 1960s, and we all know giving birth to a baby on Wednesday, doesn't mean he/she will be workforce ready by Monday. So this gap has been decades in the making. (Source: BLS )

And the number of people we tragically loss during COVID additionally widened the gap. Approximately 15% of U.S. Covid deaths were between the ages of 20 and 60. (Source: Health Equity Tracker)

So does that explain it all? No, people are much too complex to be explained away with just numbers and figures. I do believe that Covid helped people slow down, take stock of what's most important to them, and shifted some of our values. There's less tolerance for hostile & discriminating working environments, inflexible work schedules and just simply not staying in jobs they don't love or enjoy just a little.

Ouch, Gia.

I know, I know…it's almost easier to just want to look at the data because looking at the how we lead our teams and the environment we create means holding up the mirror and holding ourselves accountable. No, thank you. As leaders there's a lot we can't control, whether you're a middle manager in the workplace subject to ever changing priorities of senior leaders; or a small business leader responding to swift market changes. But, what can we control?

We can control how we show up to our teams, how we engage with them and how we choose to see them as unique people of potential and capable strengths. Creating a work environment where people want to show up and give their best is something you can control. No, it's not easy and there will be setbacks...like changing priorities and market shifts.

But creating a space where people feel seen, heard and are valued…simply priceless. You'll know it when it happens. You'll wake up and look around and see your team moving in unity, leveraging each other strengths, and accomplishing their objectives.

If you need some hiring tips, click HERE for a FREE guide!

And to dive further, BOOK an initial consultation session and we can discuss your unique needs.