YES, IT’S PERSONAL!

Todd Dewett | October 29, 2021

“It’s not personal.  It’s just business.”

I think this is one of the least productive things ever said.  Life is short and we spend most of it at work, so it’s definitely personal.

Work has been compared to a totalitarian regime.  We are told when to be there and when to leave, what to do, when to eat, what we can or can’t wear, etc.

Hierarchy and rules are needed, but thoughtful organizations recognize the need to minimize structural control while maximizing personal control (via voice, self-expression, etc.).

Stated differently, they recognize that work is very personal.  That’s why more enlightened firms work hard to be more inclusive and increase employee ownership.

It’s a no-brainer:  adults want and deserve to have a say in how they are treated, how they are governed, and what they are given in exchange for their time.

It’s worth it too.  Progressive workplaces attract and retain talent better, tend to be more productive and engender more creativity and innovation.

I’m not referring to high pay, cool offices, or grandiose perks and extras.  I’m referring to the organizations that build positive, inclusive, transparent, ownership-driven environments.

These are destination workplaces.

This all seems obvious when you realize that work is more than a series of transactions.  It’s a series of intersecting lives.  That’s very personal, thus requiring personal ownership.

Good news.  Regardless of your industry or financial position, your organization can start evolving towards being a destination workplace right now.

It begins with leaders who understand the fundamental importance of relationships.  Being more thoughtful and kind costs nothing.  From this base, inclusion and voice can grow.

Remember that humans don’t only want fair deals at work, they want fulfilling human connections.  Why?  Because it’s personal.