Capital is a valuable asset. However, for the next several weeks I will be discussing a specific kind of capital that may be of even greater value – Human Capital. We will take a look at how you can leverage your diverse resources across the organization and across the globe for personal, team and organizational success.
Many of us like to believe that, with a good plan, we can direct an action, change a process, standardize the business, etc., but if that is all we are focused on our percentage of success will most likely be very low. The reality of any business situation is that you need people to DO something in order to achieve success. How, in a globally diverse environment, you inspire employees to bring their talents, initiative, imagination, and passion to work every day is the very delineation between success and failure. It may seem like a lofty concept, but it is absolutely essential to your long-term success. First and foremost, understand and leverage the fact that PEOPLE are absolutely critical to achieving strong personal, team and organizational outcomes.
Despite this fact, research repeatedly indicates that most employees are emotionally disengaged at work. You, as a leader, must encourage value-creating communities of passion by facilitating an organizational understanding of the importance of each person and the part that s/he plays within the whole system in order to transcend organizational boundaries. You have an opportunity to unleash human potential and create communities of passion and commitment. If you are truly interested in maximizing ALL of your resources for global success, nurture participation and innovation from all geographies and cultures. Realize that passion for what you do, and what you ask your employees to do, is a significant multiplier of human accomplishment.
A significant contributing factor to global success comes from the fact that organizational adaptability, innovation, and employee engagement can only thrive in a high-trust, low-fear culture. The role of the leader has changed – command and control from Headquarters is no longer an effective or efficient way to grow a global business. If employees feel they are respected, information is shared openly, controversial opinions are expressed and debated, and risk-taking is encouraged, they are far more likely to be personally vested in both YOU and the organization. I encourage you to ask yourself, “How effective am I in facilitating a high trust, low fear environment – specifically for those leaders or employees that are not geographically located with me or those that may be from a different culture?”
I encourage you to energize and enlarge your diverse community of employees rather than manage them from above. Success truly depends on the development of new approaches to mobilizing and coordinating human potential across boundaries and borders…
So, How Are You Maximizing Your Human Capital?
Please do not hesitate to contact me at SheriLMackey@gmail.com. Check back soon for part 2 of the discussion on leveraging your global resources on Leadership Across Boundaries & Borders.