Brain Drain Solutions Part 1: What Business Needs To Do For YPs

In Iowa, we are in trouble. We know the statistics, we know the consequences, but we haven't talked enough about the solutions. If business is serious about finding & keeping quality young professionals it must do the following:

1. Cut the Crap. The excuses are immense and it's a display of power, but often when I hear some professionals refer to young professionals they do so in a quite condescending tones that belittle their experiences and perspectives. The rationale is often that "we were all 'that age' and therefore naive once." However, one thing that is overlooked is their experiences are different then yours, not better, not more important - just different. Imagine growing up in elementary school with the Oklahoma City bombing, then going into junior high with the Columbine shooting, then high school with 9-11, then college with the Virginia Tech massacre. Each generation has their own unique experiences that shape their identity are therefore must not be dismissed.

2. Wonder Why. There is an opportunity to use the comparing and contrasting of your experiences and their experience to better understand how to appropriately position workers to maximize their potential. In the areas where there are differences, we need to know why. If you don't know, the only way to know is to ask. According to the 2008 Ranstad World at Work Survey, the areas that have the most varying perspectives between generations are also the ones that tend to be the most needed and require the most consensus: leadership, respect, work ethic, purpose. Do we spend time discussing the reasoning behind these points? Do we spend time discussing seeking to understand how these young employees came to their own conclusions? What we may find out is some may have no clue why themselves, which creates an opportunity to have them investigate their own reasoning, which may lead to a clearer focus on work task.

3. Rely on Relationship. Understanding "why" allows the working world to do the integral part of building open meaningful relationships with young professionals. As much as we don't want to admit it, the working world has changed. The American dream to many young professionals is connected with balance rather than success, collaboration is more important that management to this group. Young professionals see the working world more like a circle rather than a line. With many in this new generation being guided by helicopter parents that hover over their now-adult kids every decision, it is important that businesses see the value in providing meaningful opportunities for this generation to learn from the wisdom workers in the workforce looking to renegotiate their own working relationship over the course of a generation. Mentoring, internships, and apprenticeships, endear both the new worker and the old to an opportunity of building a true relationship that respects the other, allows for questioning and builds potentially strong bonds.

Young professionals are not off the hook, they also have a responsibility that they must take on. We'll cover that in my next post.

Comments

[Kevin Pokorny]

Isaiah, I think you're right on. I appreciate your boldness on this issue and the seriousness of keeping your professionals. Your message needs to be heard loud and clear. Thanks for giving guidance on how to solve the problem, too.

[Pat]

I think your three points could apply to any company wanting to better connect with their 20-something employees - not just Iowa companies trying to avoid the brain drain.

Beyond these points, I think there are some specific things that companies can do to better "sell Iowa" to this generation. Our location, people and companies offer a great deal that can't be found elsewhere. Want stability (after that chaotic childhood you've mentioned)? Come to / stay in Iowa. In a post-9/11 era, the simple life looks pretty good to me.

Want to be surrounded by well educated folks who place a priority on families? You won't find it in New York - you'll find it in Iowa.

I've traveled the globe many times and worked in the big cities. Like others - I've returned to Iowa to stay. In fact, I've recently founded a new company in Ames rather than relocate out of state.

We need to help others see the benefits.

[Lindsay]

As a 20-something about to graduate from Drake, I hear and see many of my peers' aspirations for leaving Iowa--many of them are very vocal about how much they can't wait to leave the state. I can't help but be saddened by this because I love this place; there are so many opportunities and many of the same ammenities that any other major metropolitan area has to offer.

While I agree with your list above, that is only the start of what businesses can do. I know my generation is not perfect, and I look forward to reading your next post.

[Pete Jones - Des Moinesisnotboring]

Isaiah - Good info, but I hate the term "Brain Drain" because is insinuates that all of the brains are leaving the state. I realize it is a vast generalization to assume that everyone with a brain would leave the state, but that is what people associate with that choice of words. That said, it is also what college seniors are hearing, if you want to find a good job...leave the state because all the papers and press say everyone else is doing it.

There are a lot of passionate, smart, civic oriented YP's in the state who are working very hard to build our foundation. I know you are one Isaiah, so you know what I am speaking. I agree with you whole-heartedly, corporations need to focus on this issue now, rather than wait for it to hit them in the heads. But, I also think, and you may go there with your second section to this blog, that we as a society need to applaud and recognize those YP's who are making a difference. We need to illustrate success stories, and we need to reach out to the local colleges to ensure the misconception surrounding the brain drain is debunked. We cannot simply rely on corporate America to make the necessary changes, especially in a world where Social Media is so prominent. We have to take it upon ourselves to do what we can to solve the issue, get involved in community groups, do what ever it takes to illustrate all the great things Des Moines and the state of Iowa have to offer. Unfortunately, we do not have “big cities”, oceans, mountains, etc. But, we have a great city/state and a ton of changes to make it even better. I for one am very proud to call myself a YP in Des Moines.