By: Joe Mechlinski

“60 Minutes” recently featured manufacturing executives describing the dire need to fill millions of open jobs in our country.

While high unemployment rates tell a different story, these executives claimed the key to growth and staying competitive is to fill the openings with highly trained, motivated and skilled employees.

I think this is not a political, corporate, or individual problem — it is a “we” problem.

Most people will spend their time looking for someone to blame or casting an opinion about the solution moving forward, as the story proved. But if you listen carefully, what may have been missed is most employees, especially those on the frontlines, have the answer.

For example, a worker from one of the companies interviewed explained that he has been trying to get in front of management for years to help them figure out a more effective way to train employees. So the core issue may not necessarily be the need to fill positions with more skilled employees, but to first listen to the talent already in place.

We know that engaging employees in a meaningful way and making them feel valued isn’t just the next step in the eQ Growth Methodology, it is imperative to growing your business, staying competitive, and becoming a workplace that is honored and respected, by both employees and clients.