Ditch the talent shortage excuse

What do you do when your plans are being held up by a shortage of talent?  You've read a hundred resumes and no one fits the bill. Or you can't pay them what they're demanding.

Have you tried to create the talent you need?

When you can't find the talent to execute on your plan, it's tempting to wait until magicians appear out of the job market, or to make the excuse that the talent doesn't exist and go try easier—less valuable—work.

Fact is, the talent's there—you just haven't found it. It's a matter of supply and demand, and there are only two ways to address that—pay more for a experience that's in short supply, or create more talent to meet your demand.

The one skill that is immutable is the skill to wrestle new challenges to the ground. Look around at your current staff and figure out who among them has a thirst to solve new problems, and a lust for learning. Grab those folks and hold them close—they're priceless. When you're recruiting, test for the same DNA.

Then assemble your team, set them a meaningful challenge and give them the choice as to how to address it. Then equip your team with all the support you can to develop basic and advanced skills.

Start Creating

My book, the Technology Leader's Handbook, is all about that last part. If you're a business leader struggling to find the tech talent you need, or an ambitious technology leader seeking to supply it, the Handbook is packed with techniques and lessons learned.

I hope you enjoy.

Most of all, I hope this helps you thrive.

... and if you missed these other articles, take another look: Creating experts Risk, confidence and your dream job Know when your team needs help?