Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Seek First To Understand
So, what are the hallmarks of a "school of thought" or a human capital discipline? First off, an HC discipline would need to have some intellectual rigor applied to it. The need is more scientific in nature, as opposed to the bureaucratic reaction to case law we have today.
The principles of objective reasoning need to be applied to a 'school of thought' instead of reacting to legal precedents - like companies changing their employment applications to comply with ADA regulations. Reactive compliance is the driving force. While HR often is not more than a compliance organization, it does aspire to be more. The existing approach is wholly unenlightened and the results show it. Managing our workforce in this reactionary way - devoid of a 'school of thought' - has produced an uninspired, disengaged workforce in America that leads me to believe the majority of people are underemployed.
An HC discipline seeks first to understand human capital. Understanding HC creates a 'school of thought' which allows us to develop more productive situations. Because we seek to understand first then create situations based on knowledge, we can create an enlightened approach to managing people.
The principles of objective reasoning need to be applied to a 'school of thought' instead of reacting to legal precedents - like companies changing their employment applications to comply with ADA regulations. Reactive compliance is the driving force. While HR often is not more than a compliance organization, it does aspire to be more. The existing approach is wholly unenlightened and the results show it. Managing our workforce in this reactionary way - devoid of a 'school of thought' - has produced an uninspired, disengaged workforce in America that leads me to believe the majority of people are underemployed.
An HC discipline seeks first to understand human capital. Understanding HC creates a 'school of thought' which allows us to develop more productive situations. Because we seek to understand first then create situations based on knowledge, we can create an enlightened approach to managing people.
