Making the Grass Greener? Not Really.

As I was reading my beloved Washington Post online this week, I happened upon this article. (Richard Florida's site also links to it.) It's a fun read.

One of my greatest frustrations living here in Fresno is that local organizations who could be working to address more of the underlying issues keeping this region from reaching even some of its potential... don't. Instead, they host monthly social happy hours or "battles of the bartenders" (both of which I have attended - initially wanting to be more involved), and raise money to paint murals in blighted areas of town.

Forgive me if I don't jump to write a check.

Last week I spent six days in Washington, DC, which is a fabulously creative and vibrant city, full of young people, fresh ideas and innovative ways of thinking (and not a single mural, mind you). This thriving young culture is partially due to the fact that half of the working population in DC is 18-30 year olds who come from all over the country to work, go to school, pursue opportunities and experience big-city life. And the city embraces them with open arms.

In a city like that, you don't have to have structured or organized happy hours. The young professionals find each other and socialize together, forming rugby teams, hiking clubs, and travel groups. But I digress.

I guess I just wish that some of these groups here in Fresno would start trying to actually change the professional culture, rather than creating groups to help make it a little easier to stomach. Fresno is dying, and it's dying because within the institutions and power structures in place there is no platform for young voices and very little opportunity for young talent. I actually heard someone say that he believed you couldn't be truly experienced or demand respect until you're in your 40s(!). Excuse me if I disagree.

I think most of the old fogies who feel similarly to this misguided manager would be shocked to learn that most of the work of running the nation and much of the world is actually done by interns, many of whom haven't even graduated from college. Not to mention those senior-level staffers who (in their late 20s/early 30s) are making policy recommendations to presidents, senators, congressmen, cabinet secretaries, and UN ambassadors. Oh, and let's not forget such institutions as the World Bank, the Fed, and the Supreme Court. But, again, I digress.

Personally, I am an advocate for a merit-based and results-oriented workplace. That philosophy says: "It doesn't matter who it comes from or how it gets done; if it's a good idea, let's do it!" Work environments that embrace creativity and innovation are more productive and produce significantly better results. They also tend to employ more young people. (A great website to check out is www.nextgenerationworkplace.com.)

We are at a point in this Valley where we have to move beyond the Old Boys' Network as the only source of ideas. We face so many unique and interrelated challenges that it is absurd to allow the status quo to remain intact.

Why do young, talented people leave Fresno? Because they are given opportunities to succeed in other places. The only way to change that is to give them real opportunities to succeed here. There should be a real, concerted effort to bring the "leaders" of our city – business, government, nonprofits, and education – to a table with talented young professionals and address these very issues. Challenge them to explain why they don't hire, promote or invest in young talent… and challenge them to change.

Until these fundamental problems are addressed, we can paint all the murals we want; we'll just be putting a new façade on a termite-infested building.