Human First, Professional Second

This Thinking Coach Insight is slightly lengthier than previous insights as it addresses a very important issue that affects many of you. It is, however, shorter than it ought to be as this area requires professional training by an uninvolved third party. Perhaps you can find the time to read it and as always your feedback and comments are welcome.

So here it is: It is time to realize and understand, or stand under, the 'umbrella meaning' of the phrase Human first / Professional second.

A great deal of stress can be caused by inadvertently ignoring this natural order of management.

Humanity as a Strategy - understanding what the application of humanity can cause, planning ways to incorporate it in the work place and following through with practical steps can make a dramatic positive difference in the day to day operations of companies. Quite often the significant effect it has on morale and productivity is overlooked and grossly underestimated. The ability to be humane under pressure is THE key to building charisma that will naturally attract people to your style of leadership.

In my extensive travels and training I encounter many, many people who feel discounted, disillusioned and unappreciated in what they do. This discontent contributes to a widening and dangerous gap that is opening between the different levels of the corporate hierarchy. The resulting feeling of alienation can in time erode the foundational corporate values upon which the company stands.

This 'disconnect syndrome' is a well-known fact that is often talked about. It seems evident that talking about it is not enough. To solve this problem, definite solutions need to be taken up and applied step-by-step in a verifiable manner.

Care, patience, understanding, humbleness, compassion, warmth and kindness are the qualities that make up a stable and secure platform from which professional excellence, talents and skills can thrive − not the other way around! Yes, there are professionals who do not exhibit these qualities in their style of leadership, yet are excellent in what they do. In my professional opinion, a humane style of leadership will perform much better in this epoch of change, as it will harness the kind of togetherness and teamwork that will survive the tidal wave of changes that is rapidly over taking the business world.

The principle is that we are all human beings, imperfect, trying, making mistakes, learning, moving on and we need to feel that we count. This principle must be reflected in the work place. The human attitude confirms, encourages, assists, respects and through these qualities an environment of excellence and professionalism gets established. It is important to note that it does require correct balances where people learn to value humanity and treat it as strength rather than look at it as weakness and take advantage of it.

Corporations and leaders who are aware of the changing paradigms in leadership understand and realize that it is time to upgrade from the old rigid hierarchy style of leadership to a more flexible system of 'networking hierarchy' where people feel part of the decision making apparatus of the company, their input is appreciated and they get a building sense of inclusion. These corporations & leaders are now pioneering a new future where professionalism will become a natural bi-product of humanity.

…Thus,
Human First - The ability to relieve stress and aggravations by pre-thinking, planning and applying humane principles that make people feel included, recognized and part of a family.
Professional Second - To establish agreements, ways and means, and practical steps to invite the very best performance, skill and productivity from people in a way that is commensurate with the Human First principle

Eli Harari
The Thinking Coach

The Thinking Coach provides the kind of training that will help establish an updated professional environment which promotes humanity and excellence!