Over the holiday break, my wife and I went to see the latest George Clooney film “Up in the Air”. While the film does a wonderful job exploring how the level of connection and intimacy we have with those around us affects our sense of happiness, it also puts a stark face to those layoff numbers we’ve been hearing about all too often in these troubling economic times.
The movie centers on corporate downsizing expert Ryan Bingham (featuring a great performance by George Clooney) whose hired by various companies to do their dirty work in firing their employees. At one point in the film, when Bingham brings along his company’s new efficiency expert Natalie Keener to show her the process of firing someone, Keener makes the comment to one of the people she just fired that “it’s nothing personal. It’s just business”. Although it’s a statement that’s regularly spoken regarding business and the workplace, watching this scene brought to light how misguided this notion really is.
I’m sure many of us have been told at one point in our careers how it’s important to ‘check yourselves at the door’ when you arrive at work; that if it’s not related to the bottom line, we don’t want to see or hear about it. And yet, the reality is that people are not cold, impassive, purely logical creatures and it’s not practical or beneficial for companies to expect otherwise. After all, a key reason why businesses hire the people they did to work for them is because of who they are as a person – their personality, the passion they have for the work, how well they fit in with the rest of the team and what unique aspects they bring to that mix.
More than anything else, it’s the people who make up a company’s workforce that are the real key for a company’s ability to innovate, grow and succeed. What’s more, unlike processes or product lines, it’s difficult for the competition to duplicate the dynamic make-up, perspectives, creativity and inspiration that emotional beings can bring to the business equation. And unlike a broken computer which can be easily replaced or a damaged office which can be repaired, the loss of passion and emotional engagement in your employees is not something companies can easily recapture or restore.
With the growing realization that the way we do business will have to change to avoid the pitfalls of the last decade or two, it’s time we start recognizing that our biggest asset is the people who work for us and the unique perspectives, insights, and drives they add to the mix. Companies that get this idea will no doubt shake off the dust from the economic fallout sooner than those who don’t, thanks to the drive and passion of an engaged workforce bringing who they are – as much as what they know – to the table.
If you haven’t seen it already, I’d recommend you watch Clooney’s film “Up in the Air” – in addition to a nice drama/comedic piece, it’s also a powerful reminder of why we should view work as more than just business, it’s also about being human.
Last time I looked the computer didn't have a personality, unless it was Hal on 2001 Space Odessey, but the singularity is near, but not quite hear yet 🙂
It is so important that we have a personal touch when it comes to business.
That is where the edge is, I believe we are finding that this old way of thinking has become new. Wonderful Blog, you always have a great way of adding personality and sincerity to your words.
Thanks Janet. That’s very nice to hear. As a writer, I think it’s key to write about what you’re passionate about, on what matters to you as you’ll be able to draw those sentiments – and along with it your readers – into the piece in question.
In regards to bringing a personal touch to business, what we need to address out in the open is that unfounded notion that showing that we have feelings at work is a sign of weakness. The irony is that if we look at our past examples of bosses, supervisors and other leadership types who came off as being cold and indifferent, we wouldn’t think they were strong or assertive. On the contrary, we no doubt look upon them as being callous and mean.
We have to remember that the people that work with us, or under our leadership, were picked over anyone else not simply because they could work off a spreadsheet, or decipher a line of code; rather it was because of that inner spark they displayed at their job interview to which we made a connection and which we saw could bring value to our team.
I’m confident that those businesses that remember that moment and return to embracing it will be the ones that help to usher in the new business models and approaches to the workforce that will see take hold over the coming years.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this, Janet. And again, thank you for your kind words about my writing. I really do appreciate that. 🙂
It’s amazing the places I’ve heard the “Check yourself at the door” comment over the years.
I worked in an office of full-time Network Marketers back in the early ’90’s. Now tell me, what better setting to need the “personal” touch than a bunch of Network Marketers trying to grow their respective businesses?
Nope – “check your emotions at the door buddy.” Having a bad day? Put a cork in it. Wife got a promotion – good for her – now move on – get back to business.
Here’s a thought – that Network Marketing company is now out of business.
Let’s get personal!
Thanks for the reminder Tanveer.
Hi Frank,
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s incredible how, despite all that’s been written lately about workplace wellness and productivity, many companies still insist on pushing this absurd notion that we have to put ourselves in auto-pilot mode when we’re at work.
It reminds me of this phrase a friend of mine had on his coffee cup –
“My brain starts working first thing in the morning and keeps going until I get to work”
It should be more evident to businesses that this is counter-productive, but sadly many companies are run by people who simply want a workforce of automatons than engaged team members.
Thanks again, Frank, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Hope to see you here again soon. 🙂
Hey Tanveer! Another fabulous post. I think this is a great point, especially since social media – an outlet predicated on this idea of being personal – has become an intensely necessary business tool.
One of my favorite lines about business being personal and being able to make it a proud part of yourself actually comes from that cute movie “You’ve Got Mail” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. When he tells her it wasn’t personal, it was just business, she says, “All that means is it wasn’t personal to you…what’s so wrong with it being personal? Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.”
In total agreement – whatever anything else should be it should start by being personal!
Thanks Nacie, I appreciate that. 🙂
I think you’re absolutely right that with the rise in usage of social media outlets as a business tool for customer attraction and engagement, there’s an even greater need to recognize the necessity of making business more personal.
Thanks to the comments here and on Twitter, I’ve been inspired for a follow-up piece to this one touching on this very point that I’ll post on my blog next week.
And that line from the film makes a great point that we tend to forget – that in business, we can’t simply focus on our end of the equation if we want a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship.
Thanks again for the kind words, Nacie, and for sharing your thoughts on this. 🙂
Sadly, the expectation of people to operate like a machine is an unfortunate and persistent carryover from the industrial revolution.
I often joke with clients that while they have a bring your kid or even your pet to work day, it may be a better idea to start having a bring yourself to work day. At some point they realize I think that should be everyday!
Another excellent post Tanveer! I am also now looking forward to seeing this movie. Thanks!
Oh, I love that ‘bring yourself to work’ day remark, Susan. But you’re right, that’s something that we should be expected to bring to work everyday.
I agree with you that it’s partly due to being a holdover from the industrial revolution, but I also believe it’s due to how we approach the role of leadership. In other words, do we want those we lead to simply be mindless drones, bending to our every whim or do we want people bringing a purpose-driven energy to their role. If we think about how much time and effort is spent on canvassing for employees, interviewing them and evaluating how well they’d both fit in the role and the company, it’s amazing that we then expect them to take all those elements of themselves that we were initially attracted to and keep it outside of the workplace.
Thanks again, Susan, for sharing your thoughts on this. I’m going to be posting a follow-up on this, looking at the other key relationship in business – that between a company and its customers.
Hi Tanveer, I just bumped into this article and I must say that it's very well written, the message is clear. I agree in all the points that you made. Sometimes people forget that the workers are human and treat them as robots just because they pay them.
We have to remember that the people that work with us, or under our leadership, were picked over anyone else not simply because they could work off a spreadsheet, or decipher a line of code; rather it was because of that inner spark they displayed at their job interview to which we made a connection and which we saw could bring value to our team.