LINDA HUDSON The Cardea Group

Constant, rapid business change makes many Americans scramble to remain relevant in their job and their company. Business performance expert Linda Hudson told Charlotte Rotarians this change is driven by two forces: The expanding presence of millennials and the increasing importance of a company’s stance on

major issues. “Millennials want to work for companies that stand for something, that share their values and have a higher purpose than delivering products or services,” Hudson said. A third societal strain is executive men in their 40s and early 50s who find themselves “unexpectedly and involuntarily separated from their employers. They come to us because they have no idea how to move forward when this happens,” she said. Hudson is chief executive of The Cardea Group, a four-year-old Charlotte-based leadership, communications and business consultancy. As it works with leaders, teams and companies, it deals often with change. She’s seen her share of it. As president of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products she moved the company from Vermont to Charlotte in 2003. She was the first woman to head a major defense contractor when she became chief executive of BAE Systems, the US subsidiary of Europe’s biggest arms maker. Shortly after retiring in 2014, she founded the Cardea Group. In a meticulously referenced presentation, Hudson expanded on current drivers of change. Now the largest generation in the workforce, millennials are defined by lack of attachment to institutions and traditions. “They are looking for something very specific in their jobs,” Hudson said, “and they’re not afraid to keep changing jobs to get it.” Superficial changes won’t cut it, she added, because for millennials, “work must have meaning.” They want a high-trust work culture where managers make

REPORTER July 24, 2018

authentic connections with employees and link their contributions to a broader purpose. They seek fairness in advancement, she said, and push for diversity and inclusion. The result is the emergence of the socially and politically relevant company. “The majority of consumers want brands to take a stand on issues. Often saying nothing is worse than saying something,” Hudson said. As work cultures change, she added, middle-age executives “appear to be getting squeezed between the remaining and still-powerful baby boomers in executive suites and board rooms and increasingly influential, eager and engaged millennials.” There is little indication this turmoil will slow, but the good news is the stigma of being unemployed has subsided, she said. When jobless executives come to Cardea for help, Hudson said she and her crew advise them to refrain from looking back and to rebuild their self-confidence through objectivity and discipline. Develop a strong resume and a logical story about what you want next, Hudson said, and “look forward and redefine what good can be.” Also important is a strong digital profile and an active presence on social media. The grandmother of a young woman in post-millennial Generation Z, Hudson ended on a positive note. “I’m very encouraged by the new opportunities that abound,” she said. “Qualified talent is scarce. Overall, I find this is a time to be hopeful about the future. As millennial influence rises and we try to wade through this awful divisiveness in our country, I think they’ll do a better job than we’ve done.” Speaker Write-Up: Elly Clark; Head Table: Herb Harriss, Mike Hawley, Rich Campbell, Rhonda York; Invocation: Ron Kimble; Visitors & Guests: Charlie Bones; Photos: Bert Voswinkel; Piano: Em Syrewicze

CLUB NEWS Julie Haack introduced the club’s first new member of the year – Noelle Culler. Noelle is a lifelong Carolinian and grew up in Mount Airy. She has worked as a teacher with CMS and as a Children and Teen Programmer with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. She now works in Corporate Development with WFAE. And the fun fact: Noelle did Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 5 years and competed in competitions! She’s since scaled down to just conditioning on the heavy bag. nculler@wfae.org

John Lassiter has been named president and CEO of Charlotte 2020, the newly created nonprofit charged with raising $70 million to stage the Republican National Convention. Be on the lookout for more information on the club’s first social to be held at 6PM on

August 15th. With Bill Bradley, Karen Calder and Em Syrewicze planning upcoming events – what could possibly go wrong! Thanks to Bill Loftin, Loftin & Co. for work done to produce the new club Roster. There are always updates: Bob Culbertson: bobculbertson32@gmail.com; Bill Nichols: bnichols81515@gmail.com. In his Better Business Bureau Moment, Tom Bartholomy announced the “you’ve won lots of money in the sweepstakes” scam that started back in 1989 is still with us. Research shows over $100 Million has been lost in this type of scam. Beware! Are you meaning to sign up to play in the October 2nd Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic and just haven’t gotten around to it yet? Apparently, lots need a reminder. Do it… (www.charlotterotary.org, Events tab) Please consider increasing your support by moving up to the Gold, Silver or Bronze sponsorship level. Suzie & Todd Ford, NoDa Brewing, contributed to the Business Journal’s coverage on building a local brand, tapping into more market share in the big-beer battle, and staying ahead of the growing competition.

Community Event: Soldier Ride is a four-day cycling experience that provides wounded warriors the unique opportunity to use cycling and the bonds of service to overcome physical, mental, and emotional injuries. Scheduled to be held August 17 & 18 in Rock Hill. Start time on Friday is 8:15am at 235 E. Main St.; Saturday begins at 8:30am at 130 E. Main St.

MEMBERSHIP 07/01/2018 288 07/17/2018 283 Net Increase: -5 New Members: Noelle Culler Resignations: Gayle Sims, Ryan Taylor, John Powell, Frank Deaton, John Rodgers, Dale Halton Visitors 19 Club Members 111 Total 130 (45.7%) Visitors & Guests: Howard Layson, Patricia Christgau, Courtney Hurd, Barbara Metropoulos, Michael Langley, John Tate, Jonathan Grant, Bob McCarter, Ben Edelshain, Jordan Watkins, Mary Lou Daly, Fred Bond, Rick Fitts, Chelsea Engle, Andrew Puustian, Mary Dowd, Samantha Knight, Natisha Griffin

BIRTHDAYS (08/02/18 – 08/07/18) 08/02 Vernon Anderson, Sandra James, Courtney Ramey 08/03 Todd Ford, Lamar Thomas 08/04 Mark Turner 08/05 Suzie Ford, Richard Mialik WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (08/02/18 – 08/07/18) 08/02 Catherine & Stanley Bracey 08/04 Maura & Wil Bosbyshell 08/05 Dottie & Jim Barnhardt ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES (08/02/18 – 08/07/18) 15 years - Hunter Widener 15 years – Edwin Peacock UPCOMING PROGRAMS 07/31 Em Syrewicze, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation & Angela Lee, Charlotte Water 08/07 Jim Morgan, Former Chairman and CEO, Krispy Kreme 08/14 Jay Bryson, Head International Economist, Wells Fargo 08/21 Carol L. Folt, Chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill Photos from our luncheons and other events can be found on Flickr Click here

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