Many people are reading my article over Forbes.com, Jordan Peterson's Lessons for Business Leaders: You Need Both Liberals and Conservatives.

Quick summary:

The labels liberal and conservative refer not just to Democrats and Republicans, but to people with certain personality traits, such as openness to new ideas (liberal) and conscientiousness (conservative). Jordan Peterson argues that both are vital to a successful society, economy, and, I add, business. 

A company needs people who will change things, adapt to new conditions, create new products and services. A company also needs people who will manage existing processes. And these two types of people need to work together,even though they are different.

(Photo credit: By Adam Jacobs (Peterson Lecture) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Business leaders make decisions in an uncertain economy. Technology, social attitudes, government policies and competition are also uncertain. This interview, with a poker player who touches on football among other issues, displays wisdom about the choices that executives must make.

 

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about cup holders, their expanding size and number. Some years back I used cup holders as an illustration of how important work is not about materials--steel and coal--but about engineering and design. And this knowledge work can be done anywhere, not just in cities with water transportation and access to metals and fuel.

 

“Finding qualified workers now exceeds taxes and regulations as the top concern for small businesses,” said Juanita Duggan, head of the National Federation of Independent Business in their latest report on small business optimism.

My previous post shows videos on the topic of employee retention and recruitment. More videos have been added to my playlist "Leadership in Today's Tight Labor Market."

For those who prefer written format, check out my articles on Forbes.com:

How to Reduce Employee Turnover

How to Increase Flexibility in Employment

Why the Tight Labor Market Will Not Go Away

Shoot me a message if there are other labor market questions you wish I would answer.