The Great Resignation

A consequence of the great resignation has to be the ‘Great Hire Rush’…

For many companies it’s a great opportunity to increase their diversity, bring in new blood, thoughts and ideas…but the question is, without proper planning and execution, does that influx actually give you what you’re looking for?

Science gives us great insight into how the world operates, and whilst some models are a bit abstract and intangible, I think others really help. For me, this video really captures the issue I have seen in too many organisations, where ‘GroupThink’ reigns. Either a very strong leader says, and everyone else does, or where a large number of people all just want to align and not be the odd one out… Click here – “GroupThink

An over-influential leader can be passive (influential without necessarily recognising the huge impact that they have) or active (the classic larger than life character), but either way, the effect of stymying alternative thoughts and ideas can hold back any organisation, with potentially catastrophic consequences. In the video, the 3 individuals (metronomes) all join the group playing their own tune. However, the two controlling characters (the coke cans) are continually nudging the 3 individuals to behave in the way they want them to…and eventually, that’s what happens, and everyone is in sync.

In my early career, I was taught brainstorming as one of a whole suitcase full of quality tools. Many of the other tools were very structured – FMEA, Ishikawa, 5-Whys etc. But brainstorming, to me, was great, we could let our minds wander and be creative…But, what I soon found was that in a team, despite the rules of brainstorming, “groupthink” soon set in. Linear thinking was the norm and even if words were not spoken, body language always informed if your idea was headed in a direction that the rest of the team did not agree with.

Thankfully in my later years I came across ‘Greenhousing’, which, with its ‘nurturing of ideas’ approach made brainstorming even more valuable. New ideas don’t have to come from new people, they can come from the people that you already have, being allowed to open their minds.

As the pace of change in the world accelerates (Covid, Brexit, War in Ukraine, Climate Change, Cost of living crisis etc. are all the triggers) there is an increasing need for accelerated change, and this requires new ways of thinking, and doing. Whilst the great resignation may be seen as a threat, it’s also a huge opportunity. For the first time in the UK, there are more jobs than people actively seeking work. This will result in much more cross pollination between sectors, and a great opportunity to learn… but only in an organisation that is open and prepared for those new questions, thoughts and ideas… Companies like Apple and Tesla have challenged the norm and come from nowhere to replace far more established players. The cost of oil and other raw materials, the shift away from Russia and China, and other factors, have changed the dynamics so much, that UK manufacturing and the circular economy, amongst others, are now on the front foot. There are 2 choices right now, and that is; either traditional players change rapidly, or they will stand by and watch as new players enter the market and possibly take them out completely.

In amongst the hiring challenges/opportunities, current staff too should not be forgotten. UK productivity is appallingly low. Investment in your current staff and processes often exposes hidden gems, in fact, every improvement project I have undertaken has always uncovered team members with huge undiscovered value…and as a good change program will deliver more for less, it may also be the solution for your recruitment challenges – a real win-win!

Never forget, the common mistake is to hire for aptitude, which all too often results in firing for attitude. Many skills can be taught. Most organisations already have lots of ‘within sector’ experience – when you are hiring, what you need is people that think the way you need them to for the future… and then create an environment where new thoughts and ideas can blend with the knowledge and experience of the past, creating a new and better business.

However you approach the ‘Great Hire Rush’…don’t let the past constrain your future!