Motivating Michigan

I hear lots of talk about entrepreneurs, about creators, about growth in certain sectors, and about how new ideas are the fuel for growth. What I wonder is this: why do people create and invent? What makes somebody do the hard work that it takes to turn an idea into a business? If we all knew the answer, then wouldn’t we want to use that insight to motivate all of our neighbors?

Of course it is not just one thing that drives each of us. When I think about the world of work, I think that there are lots of forces driving behavior … some of those make us better innovators (or not), some make us risk-takers (or not) and some make us good workers (and, often, not.)

That’s an interesting word, yes?  A “worker.” Someone who does work. It’s kind of a word that doesn't say much or, depending on how you read it, says a lot. On a given day you can talk to people who enjoy work, who think that work is honorable, who push themselves through a 9-5 schedule, who wish they didn’t have to work, or who cannot envision retirement.

Work gets tied up with concepts like meaning, worth, responsibility, profit, ownership, accomplishment, and value. So it is a simple word with lots of not-so-simple concepts attached to it.

The politicians keep talking about jobs …. Good, we need them. But I want to talk about work – that’s different. The world of work, the value of work, the future of work, the work ethic, and the way our communities contribute to and are enriched by a rich work culture.

Between now and the Michigan Emerging event, I’m going to explore topics like:

• The ways that jobs are created

• Evolving workplace expectations

• Healthy vs toxic work environments

• The multiple generations in the workforce and how they learn, communicate, and think about success differently

• Today’s college graduates and where they find meaning

• The role of communications and collaborative technology in all of the above

• More stuff I haven’t thought about

Please join the conversation. If I just write something every few days we will all get bored. If you get involved, it might still be boring, but I doubt it.