I used to worry a lot about whether I’d made the right choices… whether I’d ever be successful… whether my talent would ever be recognized. Someone I trusted advised me that “time is money,” and that I’d better be ready to make a choice between the two.

These days nobody seems to have money, and those of us lucky to be employed are always pressed for time. As I think now of those unfortunately unemployed, I think there must be something more to the equation — talent.

I’ve been thinking about “talent” a lot since we began to research the Metalcasting’s Next Generation series that appeared in our recent issue. The people we highlighted there enjoy their work in foundries and diecasters, and I assume they are being appreciated and rewarded. But is everything being done to encourage them to stay?

A lot of leaders in the metalcasting industry worry about finding enough talented people to lead their organizations in the coming years. But, are they doing everything to ensure that talent remains involved in the industry?

Think of the reorganization that’s being forced on General Motors and Chrysler. It’s hard to conclude that the most talented people in those organizations are being rewarded. What’s emerging are organizations that are safe for a number of influential interests, but not for anyone who hasn’t yet had the time or money to demonstrate their influence. When they make their influence known, will it be with GM or Chrysler? Will GM or Chrysler be able to profit from that talent?

We can conclude now that we will have a domestic auto industry in the coming years, or something that seems to be “domestic,” but will it have the best talent available? It seems likely that the most resourceful, creative, and effective automaking organizations also will have the most talent.

Rewarding talent involves more than paying well. Talent must be supported with resources. Talented peopled must be dealt with honestly. Their ideas and initiatives must be received given the chance to succeed.

There may be little money available now to do everything we want to do, and there may be little time to do everything need to do. But, amid all the confusion we ought to make certain we’re applying our own talents properly— and ensuring that the talent around us is being managed effectively.