For
over a decade, Karen McCullough was the CEO for a chain
of upscale retail clothing stores. Karen draws on this
experience to answers your questions here.
 |
Dear Karen,
I don’t get it. Why is there this big “ta-do” being made about Generation Y? Either they fit in or they don’t. No one cared about our needs and wants.
Mark – Generation X and proud of it! |
 |
Dear Mark,
You’ve heard of supply and demand. Well, soon the supply of American workers will be at an all time low, and the demand for talent will be at an all-time high. When you were entering the job market unemployment was at an all time high. Today things are very different.
I just read an article that said by 2010, 44% of federal government employees will be eligible for retirement. In addition to that, within the next 5 to 10 years record numbers of boomers will retire from the private and public sectors. At the same time, there will be fewer high school and college graduates with the right skill sets entering the workforce. The result will be a huge talent shortage and skill gap.
It’s no secret that we are loosing talented engineers, scientists, educators, and people with deep technical experience. But we are also loosing seasoned marketers, communicators, and people with proficient interpersonal skills, who are absolutely essential if we are to compete globally.
Right now, we have a great need for “talent” not just warm bodies or “butts in seats.” And what we have is a huge, diverse group of talented and not-so-talented individuals (Generation Y) entering the workforce in recorded numbers. The talented segment of this generation is in the driver’s seat yet their needs are confusing and challenging to employers. This group has very high expectations. They expect interesting work, career development, rewards and recognition, constant feedback, and flexibility in hours and schedules, yet they offer no guarantee that they will stay with their employer after the employer has invested time and money training them.
So, whether members of Generation Y fit in or don’t, employers must find a way to deal with them and, if they are to succeed, harness their talent. Traditional methods of talent management will not be good enough. Employers will have to use new approaches that include aligning the business’s activities, priorities, and interests with those of its employees. Rather than fight the tendencies of the Generation Y workforce, employers will need to embrace them and find ways to use their talent and be able to successfully compete in the global marketplace.
|
|
Dear Karen,
I am 32 years old technology director and I am at a place in my career where I need to start networking one on one with business owners and top executives. I do not have a business degree and I feel uncomfortable but I know I need to do this to help boost my career. Any advice?
Jeff |
|
Dear Jeff,
First I want to share with you that most people are a little uncomfortable having lunch with impressive leaders. I encourage you to push yourself and practice, practice, practice what I am about to share. You do not need to impress your guests with your intelligence, or anecdotes. Start off by doing a little research and prepare for your lunch by learning something either personal , they love bass fishing, or professional about your lunch partner. Then as you get started in the conversation ask questions designed to reveal her/his inclinations, and continue to watch their face for clues. When you see the sparkle in the eye, or the smile, or a rise in energy you are being told that you are doing great. Ninety percent of this skill is listening. Listen with your ears and your eyes. Listen like your guest is the only person I the room. Don’t interrupt or finish sentences or better yet don’t say, “Oh, ya I knew that.” Don’t try to impress her/him with your accomplishments. Don’t use words like however or but. This is your time to listen, learn and connect with someone who can teach you more about business and life than any class or text book. Keep your end up by asking intelligent questions that show that you are in the game and paying attention. If you can master the art of paying attention as you gently move the conversation forward you will become a great conversationalist. When you let others feel important you will win more than you can imagine. You will win their respect and their knowledge. Good luck,
Karen
|
|
Dear Karen,
You speak quite a bit about change and how to handle changes. I am getting ready to go through a big one. After being unhappy at the same place of employment for the last five years, I finally quit and accepted a new job. I was so proud of myself for making the big move, and thought the hard part was over, but now I am getting scared. I have been blaming my unhappiness with life on the old job and the extensive travel that job demanded for so long, what if I make this change and I still can't find what I am looking for in life? It feels like it is a weird thing to be scared about, but I am. I actually afraid to let go of my big, ready-made excuse for things not being the way I want them to be. What if it's not the old job holding me back, what if it's me? Any advice as I move forward with this change?
|
|
Congratulations on having the courage to move on. Traveling has its challenges and interferes with the flow of life and relationships. You have fear and excitement going on at the same time and that's a good thing. It doesn't sound like you are running away from unhappiness but rather that you made a decision to run towards your life head on!
However, it sounds like you stayed in a job that made you unhappy for too long. You have paid your dues. Staying in a job that is not the right fit for you, can create high fatigue, depression, stress, and low self-esteem.
Life is about risk. Which do you think is REALLY more risky in the long-term - staying in a job you dislike and where you are unhappy, or taking the time to find something more suited to your abilities and life goals?
In the next few weeks, spend some time thinking about what you want from life in the next two to five years. Think about what bring you joy rather than happiness. Joy comes from pursing your interests and passions. Write it down and name it! Then continue to love deeply, laugh hard, dream big, change fast, live in the present and believe in your future, be of gratitude and service to others, and practice accepting closures and endings, I am so excited for you and I admire your honesty. Pursue joy over happiness and you will find what you are looking for.
|
|
