Seven Key Thoughts About Managing Human Resources

Here are SEVEN most prominent thoughts that stuck me this week about managing “human” resources. These thoughts can be useful if you are a business owner, a human resources professional, a project manager or a leader at any level in an organization:

• ‘Human Resources’ are more ‘human’ and less ‘resources’. I almost hate it when living, breathing, emotional, intelligent people are addressed as ‘resources’. They are not a part of a machinery. They are humans!
• Yes, they can be your most valuable ‘resources’ only if you focus on managing ‘human’ aspect (alignment, motivation, growth, empathy in your policies, human interactions etc)
• Fundamental of managing people is to realize that when people come to workplace, they come with an intent of doing a good job. No body ever wants to spend 8 hours doing poor work.
• So, next time when your people don’t do the job right, ask yourself - “Are they doing it intentionally?”. The answer would be mostly “No” and will lead to some food for thought on leadership.
• People work well when they do something they love doing. Leverage their strengths.
• People work well when they have some power to take important decisions about their work. Give them that space.
• Abraham Maslow said that one of the fundamental needs of human beings is “Esteem” – a desire to be accepted and valued by others. If you understand this, you will never behave in a way that kills other’s self-esteem. Recognize them and while you play to their strengths, accept their weaknesses. Let them know how their work counts in a larger perspective.

The most ‘delicate’ part of managing work in a knowledge economy is the art of managing people, engaging them in worthwhile pursuits and manage their motivations.

Sometimes, the ‘soft’ aspects of your work (inspiring, motivating, respecting, building a culture) as a leader can become ‘hardest’ part of your work.

Think about it!

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P.S: The "Dwarka Lighthouse" photo (see below) I took in Dec 2008 is selected/included in University of North Carolina’s Directory of Lighthouses! Check it out!

5 Comments

• 

  By Tom Glover, February 10, 2010 @ 3:29 pm

  Tanmay, you make some great points. My favorite is that almost all of the time people are not doing a bad job intentionally. I think subconsciously we always think that others are doing a poor job on purpose, even if it’s an irrational thought. It’s certainly something we need to stop and take the time to remember.
  Tom Glover´s last blog ..February Leadership Development Blog Carnival
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  By Katy, February 10, 2010 @ 8:05 pm

  Hi Tanmay - great post! I think managers tend to focus on the Freudian concept of motivation (carrot/stick) vs. Maslow’s concept of creating an environment that allows people to be their best. I just posted on the dangers of allowing apathy to creep into your team, which I think is what results in people doing a poor job even unintentionally.
  Katy´s last blog ..The Opposite of Love
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  By pravin kumar, February 27, 2010 @ 10:46 pm

  Hi Tanmay,

  For me, ‘resources’ connotes the endless - known as well as yet to be known inherent capacity ie the abundance of potential that people have; for me any resource has possibilities which cannot be fathomed by any scientic measure.

  Keep writing, I am really pleased to see the great heights you have scaled and look forward to more achievements !

  Best regards,

  Pravin Kumar
• 

  By Tanmay Vora, February 28, 2010 @ 5:29 pm

  Hi Pravin, I am so glad to see a comment from you after a very long time. You nailed right “the abundance of potential that people have; for me any resource has possibilities which cannot be fathomed by any scientic measure.”

  Thanks again. Keep reading and commenting!

  Best,
  Tanmay
  Tanmay Vora´s last blog ..A Round Up of My Writing in February 2010

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1. QAspire Blog - Quality, Management, Leadership & Life! » 7 (More) Things Project Managers & Leaders Should Never Do — March 18, 2010 @ 6:23 am

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