The Conundrum: Succeeding in a Post-Recession Economy with a Recession-Worn Workforce

Creativity and leadership are critical for organizations to compete as the economy improves. Unfortunately, 85 percent of employers say they can’t find workers in today’s workforce who have the ingenuity and self-direction needed to accomplish organizational goals, according to a study by the Conference Board and Americans for the Arts in partnership with the American Association of School Administrators.

Too many task-oriented workers won’t cut it. At a time when global competition is stiff, we need all the innovation and creativity we can get. During the transition to a thriving economy, people who can gather diverse internal and external ideas and devise big-picture strategies are the most valuable to organizations.

Facing a lack of creative thinkers, some organizations will invest in training programs to boost innovation or devise massive recruiting campaigns to hire the best and brightest. However, with job satisfaction at an all-time low, training and hiring will be mere Band-Aids on deep lacerations in the worker psyche. The Conference Board reports that 45 percent of Americans were happy with their positions in 2009 — the lowest level since 1987, which is the first year the survey was conducted. That means more than half of your workforce is coming to work each day disengaged and unmotivated.

Less money in people’s pockets is a factor in employee dissatisfaction, says the Conference Board. Stagnant or declining wages, dwindling retirement accounts and a bigger hit to paychecks from healthcare costs have taken a toll. In addition, increasing commute times and ineffective managers have beaten down spirits.

If a lack of critical skills within your workforce isn’t enough, recent research says that the best people you have may leave for greener pastures. A recent CareerBuilder survey found that 20 percent of workers are looking to switch jobs in the next two years. As always, skilled workers recognize their value and potential and are the first to pursue opportunities when they arise.

Organizations that don’t prepare now for an improving economy will lose. HR has a major role to play in that outcome. Albeit a challenging one.

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