Human Resources: The Misidentified Subject

Interest in the field of human resources has exploded in recent years due to the promises it offers for a better understanding of human beings at work. The term is now as ubiquitous as it has once been obscure. It is taught in schools and universities; it has turned into one of the main functions of a corporation in addition to marketing, finance, and accounting. Yet despite this trend, there are still many challenges facing the field. It seems like the subject of HR is talking the talk but not walking the walk. It is true that it is easy to talk about how we should treat employees and how to reward them in order to create an incentive for greater performance, but how do we tackle the most common problem of job dissatisfaction?

I believe that the root of all problems in the human resources field has to do with the fact that it has not been accurately defined. The way you define something determines how you will use it. For example, imagine a waiter at an Indian restaurant bringing you a bowl of warm water with a slice or a couple of slices of lemon in it at the end of your meal. If you define the contents of the bowl as "soup", you will begin to drink it (until someone stops you!). However, if you define it as a bowl to wash your hands, you will put your hands in the bowl and begin to wash your hands. In the very same way, the emphasis on the subject "human resources" has been misplaced. We put too much emphasis on the word "resource" rather than on the word "human". "Now what's wrong with that?" you may ask. To answer this question, we will begin with defining the words.

A resource, as defined by www.dictionary.com is "an available supply that can be drawn on when needed." Now if you take this definition you can clearly see that a resource is something you rely on for a pre-determined need. You already have a need and you need to fill it. Realize that in the job market today, people are ready to do anything to get that illusive dream they call "job security". They say, "I will do anything if you give me a job." The job that they are required to do is pre-determined. The outcome of this is have to change themselves to fit the job if they are not passionate about it (this is the equivalent of trying to push a square peg in the round hole and we learned when we were younger that it just doesn't work!). If they love to do it, then job dissatisfaction is out of the question. However, if they do not love what they are doing you will have a person who is on the payroll just doing the bare minimum which creates no value to pass on to your customers. There is a high probability that the person will eventually quit because they don't feel that they are contributing to the level that they can at this job because they aren't passionate about it. They feel stifled. When you treat someone like a resource they will feel like a resource; another cog in the big wheel.

If you shift the emphasis to "human" side of the definition, you are defining a being of potential. A being of potential cannot be squeezed into a pre-determined need. You will have to find out the strengths of that person and about what they are interested in; what they are passionate about! This information will then allow you to determine exactly what they can do in your company to provide value by using their strengths and working in what they love to do. Everyone can provide value when they do what they love. Job dissatisfaction is out of the question when you love what you do. When you love something you will work late for it; wake up early for it; do anything just to do it! With that as the leading attitude, all acts of creation and work spontaneously creates value for the company and the customers. Value comes from passion! A passion for something creates the venue for excellence in that very thing. All of that happens when the emphasis is on the word "human" rather than on "resource". We should change the name of the field to "human resourcefulness" rather than "human resources" to tap into the limitless potential within the human being rather than reducing them to a mere resource.

The answer to any problem lies in the way you define the problem. Change your definition and you change your possibilities. This is true for whatever field you are looking at. So today, take a look at an area in your life, redefine it, and then see if that new meaning opens up a new way to live it. If redefining it creates more potential you must start using it, and if it limits you, you must drop it. Where else can you use this? What else in your life has been misidentified? When you answer these questions to the best of your ability, the myriad possibilities of life will open up for you.

Sukhbir Singh is the founder and leading trainer of LifeApps! Personal Development International based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The current workshop being offered by us is the Create Your Purpose Weekend which was created for people who felt that they were living the same monotonous life with no clear purpose. "By the time you leave this workshop, you will have a purpose and something to live for! You will wake up everyday from now on knowing what you were meant to do and will go out and do it!" is the resounding promise that Sukhbir Singh always states at the preview and at the beginning of the workshop itself.

All of the seminars and workshops have an unconditional full refund guarantee if the participants do not sense a change or see new possibilities created by the event. We can assert this claim because of the confidence we have in the value of our programs to help people reevaluate the way they live their lives.

For more information on LifeApps! or on booking Sukhbir Singh for an event, please send an email to info@lifeapps.com

---

The Seven Essentials of Business Communication

There are seven essential elements to successful business communication:StructureClarityConsistencyMediumRelevancyPrimacy/RecencyPsychological Rule... Read More

Thoughts on Empowerment

People are empowered when they are given the authority and... Read More

The High, High Price of Distrust

A paper manufacturer with over 300 employees once announced that... Read More

Are you NICE or do you CARE?

Are you NICE or do you CARE? ... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative

This short story, Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative, was... Read More

Knowledge Management - Lessons Learned and How To Identify Them

Many organisations use the term "lessons learned" to describe the... Read More

Innovation Management ? smart people dont necessarily produce great ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

11 Strategies on How to Work in An Open Plan Environment

Many work environments now are open plan, with only a... Read More

Before You Head Off, Make Sure You Know Where You Are Going - The Importance of Clear Objectives.

The title of this article sounds like simple advice, but... Read More

Ten Business Reasons Why Asking for Help Works

In fact, bringing your people - any of them -... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Motivation and Management Layers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

So, You Want to be in Management? Five Essential Factors that Will Determine Your Chances

The following information is based upon over 500 interviews with... Read More

Making Change Work

Shaky FoundationsWhilst over 60% of businesses will be looking to... Read More

The Myth of the Management Team

Every business has problems. That is why the average life... Read More

What Is Business Sense?

What is the principal thing you need to succeed in... Read More

Influencing the Organisation

There is a saying about management that suggests some managers... Read More

The Golden Key to Meeting Success

We all attend many meetings. I'm sure you have been... Read More

The Top Six Reasons to Buy Rather Than Build an Inventory Management Solution

Is building your own inventory management solution really your best... Read More

Three Foundation Stones for Building Organizational Integrity

When the stock market crashed in 1929, there were a... Read More

5 Ways to Work More Effectively With Your Administrative Assistant

Stop hiring new administrative support staff. And learn how to... Read More

Birds of a Feather May Be Turkeys

Birds of a Feather May Be TurkeysBy Gene Griessman, PhD... Read More

Motivation - It Starts with Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement is about recognition or attention from another person. It... Read More

Service Level Agreement (SLA) Boot Camp

Service Level Agreements, or "SLA's" are tricky but useful mechanisms... Read More

How Invisible Communication Barriers Kill Productivity

Many kinds of interferences or disturbances can confuse a message.... Read More

Uncommon Common Sense ? Know What is the Most Important Thing in Your Business

Over 3 of my meetings with 3 business owners last... Read More

Are You in AWE of Your Employees?

Employers have become so concerned about seeming "unfair" or worse... Read More

Dividing The Loot

It is when the going gets better, that the going... Read More

Dont Get Caught With Your PR Down

Why risk the embarassment when with a little basic PR... Read More

Where Businesses Fall Short

1. No vision. Successful businesses have a clear vision or... Read More

Boost Your Leadership Skills By Disciplining Yourself In The Way Of The Question Mark

I'm often asked to come in to organizations and give... Read More

Blame Culture Blues - How the Language of Blame Manifests Organisational Underperformance

If you have ever worked within a large organisation then... Read More

How To Use W Edwards Deming

Human beings and the way they interact are extraordinarily Complex.... Read More

Teamwork Training: Learning to Build a Successful Team

Teamwork is a process that can be experienced outdoors and... Read More