Putting the human back into human resources.

It’s encouraging to see more organisations refocus their time and attention on the fundamental ‘human stuff’

Too many organisations continue to talk the talk but don’t put human-centred values into practice. If we are going to do this, we need brave leaders who are prepared to ‘walk the talk’ and show up every day modelling behaviours which really do put people first.

More than systems, more than strategy, more than structure, it is people and culture which makes the ultimate difference to sustainable organisational success.

People’s desire for purpose and meaning has accelerated due to the pandemic. The so called ‘great resignation’ trend is a consequence of people rethinking their lives in different ways. Business everywhere is feeling the effect of this. More than anything else people are craving authentic human connection and healthy, quality relationships.

HR can play a leading role in this – bringing energy and skill to cultivate workplace environments and cultures where every single human being matters.

How do we do this? We believe there are a set of principles which if practiced consistently can humanise any workplace environment.

Putting people first and doing the right thing

By

Listening and learning, simplifying the complex, walking the talk, and coaching not managing

Meaning we

Make a difference

Making a difference means healthy profits alongside healthy people which improves wellbeing. It is possible to have both, providing we act from our deepest sense of humanity in everything we do.

Exceptional workplace cultures where people thrive shouldn’t be exceptional. It should be normal. Treating people as unique human beings is by far the best strategy for commercial business success there is.

Often, trying to make workplace cultures even a little bit better can feel like draining and relentlessly difficult work. It can feel isolating for people who want to be champions for positive change. I have so many great conversations with the HR community where people desire to make a difference but there are powerful inertial forces in organisations which want to protect the status quo and keep things the way they are.

There is too much at stake here to hold back from efforts to humanise our workplaces. There is nothing more important than human health and flourishing. It is not just the people in the organisation but their extended families too. We have an amazing opportunity to make a profound difference.

To everyone out there striving to make a difference I admire you – the work you do touches more lives than you will ever know. Just know you are not alone and just keep going!