💭 Workers' Day - How to Truly Be People-Oriented in a Business-Driven World 😎
When I chose to study law, my main drive was to fight against injustices, arrogance, and presumption, as well as inequalities. This human-oriented spirit was then translated into my studies in human resources, where the emphasis on people further shaped my values, creating a sort of expectation in the real corporate world that it would truly be much more people-oriented than business-driven :).
Indeed, upon entering the corporate world, I often found myself almost disappointed by the fact that leaders struggle to step down from their pedestals, to practice empathy towards others, and thus to have objective conversations that lead to strategic decisions benefiting everyone.
I would like to think that this happens due to a lack of skills 😁 or that they have not had the opportunity to experience or learn differently, rather than these behaviors stemming from the belief that leaders must only make decisions for the benefit of the company, closing their eyes and ignoring the repercussions on individuals, and subsequently on families and communities. Because that's what it's all about, chain reactions.
It's not a news that the world of work is in deep crisis. Simply reading the newspapers or talking to friends makes it evident that people are facing crises of belonging and professional identity. Many feel unseen, unheard, and unappreciated in their workplaces.
The good news is that everyone can contribute to change this trend :).
Here are 3-4 practical tips that I do in my small own:
💜 Active Listening: Step down from the pedestal of my job titles, be humble, and listen on the same level as my colleagues, w/o judgment.
💜 Genuine Connection: Show genuine interest in my staff and take the time to build meaningful relationships. I engage in conversations that go beyond work tasks, and truly get to know the individuals I work with.
💜 Objective Conversations: Lead to objective and neutral conversations to understand how to act in the best interest of all. I call this "consultant approach" . Avoiding biases and listening to all perspectives might lead to more informed and fair decision-making.
💜 Recognition and Appreciation: I do not take for granted the effort my team member or staff put into going beyond, or the extra mile. I see, recognize, and value this, because it's time and effort that individuals take away from their personal lives.
When people feel heard, seen, appreciated, and valued, it fosters trust, loyalty, and a stronger sense of belonging within the team, and you as leader might feel more rewarded as human being 😎 .
So, as we celebrate Workers' Day, my takeaway is that our actions have an impact that resonates far beyond the workplace, shaping not only people professional success but also their overall happiness and sense of purpose 💜
Buon 1 Maggio 🎉
| Executive Producer | Director | TV Host | Writer | DEI Ambassador
3wCongrats Jenn Tardy !