What is happening to us at work? John Naisbitt once said: “The most exciting breakthroughs of the 21st century will not occur because of technology, but because of an expanding concept of what it means to be human.” Today, we want to start talking about human organizations and what we mean by them.
Without getting into definitions, we can recognize them because they overflow with life. Personal growth expands throughout them. They feel like peaceful places where deep human connections happen. Since our nature drives us to be interconnected, why is it so easy to feel lonely? Why do I feel separated from others?
Why can’t I feel like “myself” in this environment? Because we leave a huge part of “ourselves” behind at work. And why do we do this?
On one hand, it relates to our personal fears. These are the worries we have as employees: fear of being inadequate, of being different, or of not fitting in. We think we reduce these fears by only showing a small part of ourselves. We feel in control and believe we are safer.
This is how we limit ourselves. We fail to see how this cage restricts who we are. We cannot express our creativity. We fail to give our full potential. Even if we do not realize it, deep down we feel we are betraying ourselves by not being true to our desire to be fully who we are.
It also relates to organizational fears. Companies often feel the need to control or minimize the “risk” of being a community. What would happen if everyone showed their true selves? Anything could happen: “Who knows if we will get distracted from our goals? What would happen then?” So, we feel the need to write standards, manuals, and guidelines for everything! Without trust in people’s goodness and ability to solve problems flexibly and creatively, it is hard to build an environment that fosters deep human connections.
Without trust in people’s goodness and ability to solve problems flexibly and creatively, it is hard to build an environment that fosters deep human connections.
Human organizations see an opportunity in our struggle to dare to be “ourselves” at work. They dedicate resources to creating spaces that foster mutual support, where those fears are transcended. Human organizations focus on promoting individual meaning and purpose. They empower us to be fully who we are, creating an impact beyond ourselves. They know that helping people grow as human beings is not just enjoyable. It is also where the bottom line and long-term sustainability are decided. Something essential today.
Can we shift our relationships to a healthier place? Human organizations create spaces where people learn what they do not know along the way. “From the inside out.” Because that is where we are full of life. It is where we discover that inefficient, distrustful relationships can transform. At work, the environment is renewed, and we begin to look at each other, recognizing everyone’s value and greatness.
Human organizations dedicate resources to creating spaces where those fears are transcended. They focus on promoting individual meaning and purpose, empowering us to be fully who we are, creating an impact beyond ourselves.
Human organizations create spaces where people help each other reclaim the parts of ourselves we neglected when we only showed a small fraction of “myself.” They allow us to develop purpose. They help us enjoy and find happiness in our work, united and supported by others.
Can you imagine living in a world where you enjoy the work you do every day?
