Human Connection Matters

When was the last time a spreadsheet told you why your top performer looked a little "off" during the Zoom call? It is so tempting to manage by numbers. Numbers are clean. Numbers are objective. Numbers don't have "bad days" or complicated home lives. But at the end of the day, you aren't managing resources, you’re leading human beings.

When we over-rely on metrics, we start treating our people like components in a machine. But humans aren't parts. When you treat a person like a number, they eventually stop giving you their best work and start giving you "just enough". That’s not performance; that’s survival.

In my book, They’re Worth It!, I talk about how treating employees like coffee cups - read to toss the moment it gets cold- is the opposite of what employee investment looks like.  

You can't have connection without trust. And you can't have trust without psychological safety. Can your people tell you the truth without being afraid? When we lead with courage, we create a space where it's okay to be human.

Coach Ha-Keem

PS - If you’re looking for more ways to prioritize the human element in your career or your leadership style, check out our full library of resources. From our books like You're Worth It to our leadership insights, we’re here to help you lead with courage and dignity.