THE ROLE OF BUSINESS IN NURTURING HUMAN POTENTIAL
This article is part of the Being Human at Work series
Recognizing the dignity of individuals involves creating environments where people can realize their full potential.
This means fostering workplaces where employees can find meaning through their work, relationships, mastery, and autonomy. However, this dynamic extends beyond employees, influencing all interactions a business has, affecting customers, suppliers, and communities alike.
It's important to acknowledge that our decisions and actions shape who we are. We are beings of potential, and we gradually actualize this potential through our actions. This process leads to the formation of habits and character traits, which can be either positive (virtues) or negative (vices). It's not just our actions that shape our character; the circumstances and people around us also play a significant role, especially if we consider ourselves as relational beings. Every interaction, whether within the workplace or through business activities, contributes to shaping our character and that of others.
Businesses possess the dual capacity to both form and deform people. They can be instrumental in helping individuals realize their potential and develop positively. This requires providing decent work with fair pay and establishing structures and processes that cater to intrinsic motivation. It involves empowering employees to thrive, grow, and explore their potential. Moreover, it means creating a workplace culture that promotes character-building behaviors, encouraging employees to make decisions beneficial for both the business and society.
In essence, businesses have a significant responsibility and opportunity to influence character development. By staying true to their purpose and fostering an environment conducive to personal growth, businesses can help shape individuals who not only excel in their roles but also contribute positively to society.