EMBRACING DIGNITY IN BUSINESS: A HUMAN-CENTRIC APPROACH
This article is part of the Being Human at Work series
Modern business thinking has long been dominated by the idea that the primary goal of a company is profit maximization, often viewing individuals as motivated solely by money, status, and power.
This perspective has led to significant issues, including a 'double disconnect':
A growing gap between business and society, marked by increased inequality and environmental harm.
An internal disconnection in individuals, causing employees to feel disengaged and forced to compromise their personal values at work.
A shift in this mindset begins with the concept of the dignity of the human person. This approach posits that every individual possesses inherent value and deserves respect, a principle rooted in our shared humanity. It proposes that people should be viewed not as mere instruments of business success, but as 'someones' with dignity to be acknowledged and respected.
This idea extends beyond the confines of the employee-employer relationship, encompassing all stakeholders involved with a business, including customers, suppliers, investors, and the wider community. Recognizing business as a complex network of relationships, respecting each person's dignity can build trust both within the business and between the business and society. Additionally, it encourages businesses to pursue goals that enable each individual to achieve their full potential.
Donna Hicks, in her book "Leading with Dignity," makes an important distinction between dignity and respect. Dignity is an innate attribute, an inherent value and worth that everyone possesses, whereas respect is something that is earned through exceptional deeds. Understanding and valuing each other's dignity is essential for positive interactions.
Hicks also identifies various expressions of dignity, which she categorizes as the 3 Cs:
Connecting to our own dignity.
Connecting to the dignity of others.
Connecting to something greater than ourselves.
This third aspect can vary widely, ranging from faith to a connection with nature, or a purpose that contributes to the greater good of society, providing deeper meaning to our lives.
Placing human dignity at the forefront of business practices calls for a significant shift from seeing individuals as tools to acknowledging them as integral, dignified beings.