Michigan Radio:
The first Generation Y Michigan story airs tomorrow during Morning Edition (5-9a) & All Things Considered 4-6:30p.) As we work on more pieces in the series, we wondered what questions you have about Michigan's "brain drain"?
You might be picking up some negative vibes about Michigan right now, and it's easy to see where a lot of it comes from. Unfortunately, I was feeling it from some of the promo for this series, and the responses were equally pessimistic (or at least, they could be depressing). Here's one of them:
I'm sorry but i'm leaving again the moment I have the chance. I've been all over the country and never, ever seen poverty like this. In over three dozen close family and friends I see on a regular basis I know seven people total with jobs. Three of those are part time underpaid positions.
There's no future here. That's why we're leaving.
Ack! Please do not forsake the state! When it comes to Brain Drain, the Bruce Lee allegory about an empty cup comes to mind. You can't fill your cup with anything else until it is empty. Michigan may be emptying, but we're entering the best time for leaders and learners to rejuvenate its systems. Here's my response:
I respectfully disagree: There is future in Michigan, but leadership among its people will determine whether it's going to brighten or languish. There's a lot of raw opportunity despite the fact that (or maybe because) the economic and political climate may slow us down.
That said, there's a myriad of reasons that people need to leave, but there are just as many for people to return or stay.
Think about Detroit; its capacity and momentum for recovery are diminished by brain drain, uncoordinated leadership, and weakened communities to name a few. We'll see similar results if the state is forsaken altogether.
The questions: Pick anything the state has certainly been failing at or can substantially improve. Then ask how can we bring people together to process these opportunities in ways that are socially, economically, AND ecologically sound? There's no shortage of work to do, but find out how value in those three areas is recognized so that we can quickly communicate the benefits of Michigan's situation to current and future talent.
As I was writing the reply, I realized the problem almost boils down to a marketing piece. Do the research, build your community, and communicate the value. Assess, tweak/terminate, and sustain.
But, the solution also has lots to do with leadership that considers more than government systems or America's most talented.
There are three audiences I can think of:
the dedicated (people staying within the state)
the maybes (recapturing those who briefly left)
and the not yets (attracting new folks)
Right now, it's about working with the dedicated people who stay.
Bring out their best, share with them what you know, learn what you can from one another. You'll explore with them, develop a community, and empower them to do the same for others.
Here's where I think the roads are bumpy:
Anyone can tell people what the problems are, and maybe even how to solve them. Your challenge is to pass on the best of what gets you excited about the problems and solutions. This is what inspires people to want to learn and do more. You're sharing the value in what you see for the circumstances around you and the community. To make it relevant, you have to address the triple bottom line of sustainability: people, profit, and planet. Eventually, you'll attract outsiders who seek silver lining (or maybe delicious water from a Great Lakes sub-watershed) in whatever state you're in.
Oh, since the story can't be listened to on the radio right now, in the mean time I'd like to recommend that you listen to The Who's song about my generation as you wait.
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