The Age of Human Potential in Business
A Gallup article landed in my inbox referencing engagement levels at companies. The article stated “in the U.S., only 28% of employees are engaged” at work. While I was disheartened to see that number, I wasn’t surprised. Many corporate people I speak with mention some significant disconnect with regard to their job, either with leadership, workload, management or the system. These are not grumblers. Far from it. Most are smart, experienced, high achievers. They’ve
simply become frustrated and disengaged over the last decade or so. In defense of their companies, tremendous pressures abound; competition, stagnating or shrinking markets, overhead considerations, stockholder expectations. All challenging, but basically external. The issue of engagement, however, is largely internal. It lies, in large part, with organizations employing twentieth century people solutions to twenty-first century people.
During the last century, we were captivated by machines, assembly lines and process. Next, came our fascination with information and technology; numbers, data, metrics, reports, automation. All controllable, mostly predictable. But, when it comes to compelling worker engagement and human potential, everything gets
a bit murky. No longer black and white, the grayness of it all can overwhelm.
The reality is, most people know what compels them to care and work hard. It isn’t rocket science. The companies that understand their people and develop cultures that support them, will create engaged workers; like the Zappos, SAS and Southwest Airlines of the world. Companies that don’t, will likely continue to struggle.
I believe this is the time where a concentrated and focused effort needs to be afforded the human element. Not at the expense of the other initiatives, but certainly equal to them. Companies that recognize the value of an engaged and happy workforce and make the cultural changes to support that result, will reap the benefits. We are indeed entering a new age…perhaps it’s the age
of human potential.