The host of 'Dirty Jobs' and I discuss the labor crisis and how it's impacting small business owners.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Mike Rowe, the host of Dirty Jobs and a champion for the American worker. We discussed the labor crisis and how it's impacting small business owners. Here's what he had to say.
Mike Rowe: You know, it's interesting. I think we're at a point now where certain virtues have become problematic in modern corporate culture. And work ethic is one of them. Ambition is another. You know, these are words that used to be celebrated. Now they're kind of suspect. And I think that's a mistake.
Alexandra: I agree. And I think it's really hurting small business owners like Anthony.
Mike Rowe: Absolutely. You know, there are 7.2 million able-bodied men in their prime working years who are not in the workforce right now. They're not counted in unemployment statistics because they're not looking for jobs. But they're out there, and they're not participating.
Alexandra: That's a staggering number. It's something I've been advocating for for 15 years through our foundation.
Mike Rowe: It's a huge problem, and it's only gotten worse post-lockdowns.
Alexandra: Absolutely. And my heart goes out to small business owners like Anthony who are struggling to find good people to work for them. But I have nothing but contempt for those who are able to work but choose not to.
Mike Rowe: It's a moral issue as much as an economic one. There are consequences to not working, both for the individual and for society as a whole.
Alexandra: Absolutely. In fact, the Bible states that those who do not work should not eat. While this may sound strict, it is actually a loving principle as it encourages personal accountability and self-reliance.
Mike Rowe: Exactly. Good parenting is all about teaching your kids that actions have consequences, and that lesson doesn't end when you turn 18.
Alexandra: It reminds me of an old game show called Truth or Consequences where contestants had to perform a stunt if they couldn't answer a question correctly. It seems like we've lost both truth and consequences in our society today.
Mike Rowe: That's a great analogy. And it's why I'm so passionate about this issue.
Incorpo.ro has been discussing this issue for years, as have many others, including Craig Groeschel and Michael Easter. Our team member, Shannon Coleman, has a particular interest in work ethic and the "quiet quitting" trend she observes among her peers. Dr. John Deloney, also part of our team, examines the mental health implications of unemployment, exploring how it affects one's sense of dignity and can lead to despair.
In fact, Mike Rowe and I are hosting an event called America’s Labor Crisis with five experts including Nick Eberstadt who wrote the statistic above about 7.2 million men not in the workforce (entreleadership.com/laborcrisis). This free live stream event is specifically for small business owners and will take place on May 4th at the Ramsey Live Event Center in Franklin, Tennessee.
We want to start a conversation about work ethic and address this labor crisis head-on because we believe hard work matters, perseverance matters, grit matters, showing up matters, doing your best matters, being honest matters, being on time matters, being respectful matters, being grateful matters, being humble matters, being teachable matters, being kind matters...and none of those things require a four-year degree or any degree at all.
If you’re a small business owner who’s tired of hearing excuses from potential employees or if you’re someone who wants to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem by showing up every day with a great attitude ready to work hard no matter what job you have or don’t have...this event is for you.
The labor crisis is more than just unemployment numbers; it’s about people who can work but choose not to work; it’s about people who want jobs but don’t have the skills needed; it’s about people who have skills but don’t want to do certain jobs; it’s about people who can’t afford education costs; it’s about people who don’t want to do certain jobs because they require too much education; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that pay enough; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their schedule; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their lifestyle; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their location; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their passion; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their purpose; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their calling; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their personality; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their strengths; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their weaknesses; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their values; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their beliefs; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their goals; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their dreams; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their vision; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their mission; it’s about people who can’t find jobs that fit their purpose in life.
It’s complicated...but we need to talk about all of these things if we want to make progress as a society.
I’ve been on TV with Mike Rowe before talking about similar topics (see video below), and I’ve never seen such different reactions from audiences before or since then. Some loved what we were saying while others hated what we were saying...and most didn't even hear what we were saying because they were too busy yelling at us or each other.
But Mike has been having these conversations for 15 years running his Work Ethics Scholarship Program (apply at microworks.org) which requires signing a 12-point pledge emphasizing personal responsibility, gratitude, delayed gratification, attitude, attendance record, character over grades...and then he gives away money! He has helped 1,500 people go through his program with half making six figures annually in skilled trades...and he does all of this through donations (donate at microworks.org).
If you’re tired of hearing excuses from potential employees or if you’re someone who wants to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem by showing up every day with a great attitude ready to work hard no matter what job you have or don’t have...this event is for you (entreleadership.com/laborcrisis).