Rule No. 1: Talent ALWAYS Wins (in the Long Run)

In 1988, my wife and I moved our young family to the U.S. from Canada. We both did our graduate work at the University of Oregon, and returned to Canada, where we expanded our careers and started a family. However, contacts from grad school were doing breakthrough work on management systems inspired by the Total Quality Movement in Japan. I’m not touting ourselves as exceptional talent, however I really wanted to be part of the best learning in the world on this topic, and it was happening in the States. Subsequently, the next 30 years of our lives were invested in the USA. Two of our now adult children currently make their homes there.

Some 30 years later, in 2018, our oldest daughter’s family left England after being recruited by Amazon on a world wide talent search.

According to the Economic Times, “nearly 74% of employed computer and mathematical professionals between 25 and 44 years old in Silicon Valley are foreign-born. Leadership of global giants - like Google, Microsoft and Nvidia - reflects the direct impact of immigration on innovation. These individuals did not simply fill gaps in the labour market. They also defined the cutting edge.”

Ultimately, the strength of a community, organization and country comes from being able to attract and retain the very best talent. The most important asset to invest in is always people. And rich diversity and meritocracy is achieved through inviting people with an unbridled hunger to create, learn and advance. The successful application of technology, strategy and business model execution starts and ends with humans.

The simple measure is the “line up” metric. How many people are lined up trying to join your organization? Community? Country?

When the most talented people start looking elsewhere, it should be a matter of deep concern. The negative impact won’t be felt immediately. It’s like bankruptcy… Slowly, then all at once.

If you are surrounded by the best and brightest, the long run is always the best run.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: Also, talent always attracts more talent. We know we’re supposed to be surrounding ourselves with people who challenge us, better us, and accomplish cool things, if only that was always so easy. Still, if you’re always the smartest person in the room, you’re in trouble.

- Garrett

AI Response: Your ‘line up’ metric reveals the truth: Talent goes where it’s valued. 75% of high-performers say they’d leave a company that doesn’t invest in their growth (Gartner), and teams with top-tier talent deliver 400% higher productivity (MIT). Yet most organizations fail this test—only 14% of employees globally feel engaged at work (Gallup). The lesson? Whether a company or country, those who cultivate meritocracy, learning, and opportunity don’t just attract the best—they redefine what’s possible. When the line shortens, decline is inevitable. But as your family’s journey proves, the inverse is also true: Where talent thrives, so does the future.

Rule No. 1: Talent ALWAYS Wins (in the Long Run)

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