Background: “Being human is given. But keeping our humanity is a choice.” Umesh Mangrolia emphasises the importance of embracing humanity in the workplace.

It is usually believed that either you can be nice or get things done in business. Is it possible to be kind, caring, compassionate, empathetic, sensitive towards others beings and still be able to meet business objectives?

I strongly feel that it is possible. We just may not have found a proper way to give space to both of them. Let me explain how and why I'm saying that.

Does any person in your organisation (be it CEO, worker, supervisor, manager, head of department, general manager or managing director) come with ill intention (something like, I am going to create trouble for this person... or I'm going to do fight with that person...) when they come to office in the morning every day? I believe, not even a single person!

Then why do we become such an automated machine while we are at the workplace? It may be because of how we do work. Current processes or systems in business are designed to get results. And most of the time result means ‘earning higher profit’. So, if we can think of and design a system that takes care of ‘earning higher profit’ and ‘humanity’, it is possible to create a humane business.

I believe businesses can play a major role in transforming one's life, simply just by bringing humanity in the equation. This will not only result in a better life for the individual, but more productive, engaged and creative people and profitable and sustainable businesses.

Why is it so important to bring humanity to business? Well, most of us are spending about 8 to 10 hours at work. That's huge. And if we lack humanity at work and keep doing things the way we usually do, we feel frustrated or exhausted at the end of each day! And this frustration or exhaustion doesn't end when we leave office. We carry it with ourselves. And may be sharing it with people around us (mostly family).

I believe businesses can play a major role in transforming one's life, simply just by bringing humanity in the equation. And this will not only result in a better life of an individual, but more productive, engaged and creative people and profitable and sustainable businesses.

You might be thinking, ‘what could be the first step towards it?’ In my opinion, providing a safe space to people to express themselves fully in the work they are doing. Asking them for their suggestions, ideas and including them in the decisions. Not just for the sake of doing, but really involving them and including ideas. If you are proposing something and no one dares to object it, let me tell you, you haven't really created a humane space yet.

You be yourself and let others be themselves. I'm sure you will find a way to meet your business objectives in a most efficient and effective manner.

If this idea or thought excite you to take some action, start it your own way. As I said, we haven't found a perfect way to do it yet. Everything you will do in this direction, will count one step towards the goal. And that's experiencing our true self while doing things to earn our livelihood. So let's start by being humane and allowing space for humanity in the workplace.

Also read: 5 critical questions for leadership success and life happiness

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