Gather a group of CIOs or senior IT leaders together and invariably the conversation will turn to the challenge of attracting and retaining talent. Linda Calvin joined us for this episode. Linda is on the front lines of this battle. She is the VP of the School of Information Technology for Ivy Tech Community College. 

Linda brings a diverse background, including earning her Juris Doctor and performing a stint as a prosecutor, to bear on this problem. Solving problems, helping to solve the problem we all face: how do I find the talent we need to drive our organizations forward. 

Linda sits at the intersection of educators, employers, and tech companies. Having conversations across all those disciplines to ensure Ivy Tech’s curriculum can meet the needs of business today and tomorrow. 

An obvious – but oftentimes overlooked – approach to the skills gap is driving diversity in our organizations. This approach has to go beyond the metrics and focus on creating an inclusive environment. As Linda says, “it’s not about how you look, it is how you operate”.  Diversity fuels innovation. 

Linda’s challenge to all of us is to question the status quo. Review our job requirements. Does that role really need a four-year degree, or can it be filled by someone with a two-year degree from a community college or some who attended a coding academy in lieu of traditional education? Instead of saying “culture fit” is important, describe what you mean: collaborative, teamwork, energy. Don’t use cliches that will not resonate with everyone: “We are looking for someone who can come in and score a touchdown.” 

Take a listen to this thought-provoking episode! 

Status Go is the weekly podcast from InterVision. We provide actionable insights from technology leaders to technology leaders who want to break out of the status quo and lead their businesses into the new future. Listen to more of our episodes here: https://www.intervision.com/statusgo-podcasts/

In Episode 48 of InterVision’s Status Go podcast, we discuss how to proactively move in the direction of our goals. Jared Nichols, The New Futurist, talks about how to “be an active participant rather than a passive recipient” of your own future and that of your organization and how to build agency over the outcome.  He shares what is needed with his “three Cs” (Conscious, Curious, Creative), how to get started and how to improve and what is wrong with most organization’s strategic planning process.

To me, one of the most valuable points Jared made was in the discussion of the difference between strategic planning and strategic foresight. Think of it as scenario planning. There a many possible futures. What future is in the best interest of you and your organization? What steps to do you need to take today to make that future a reality. Begin with the end of mind and be an active participant in creating the future instead of a passive recipient of a future someone else created.

Status Go is the weekly podcast from InterVision. We provide actionable insights from technology leaders to technology leaders who want to break out of the status quo and lead their businesses into the new future. Listen to more of our episodes here: https://www.intervision.com/statusgo-podcasts/