Do You Have A Heart For Your People?

I have the opportunity to work with a variety of leaders in a variety of industries.  Currently I am working with a leader that has a tremendous heart for his employees.  Virtually every decision he makes is based on how it will affect or impact his employees.  Although it brings challenges with it, I have to admit it's a refreshing change.   He truly cares about every single person that works in his organization.  The question then becomes, why is this so refreshing?

The business world has become consumed with increasing revenue.  There is nothing wrong with increasing revenue - that's what business is about.  However, one could question we have become so obsessed with growth that we have lost sight of the humans that work to accomplish the goal.  Have we become so cold and dehumanized that we don't have the time to care about the fact that our top sales guy's wife just left him? Are we so focused on the goal that we don't notice Joan looks like she hasn't slept in days?  Do we expect everyone's personal life to be kept completely separate from work and they should compartmentalize their day?  Are we so busy that we've lost sight of the human element in the work place?

It is okay to care about your people.  As a matter of fact, you will be a much better leader if you can be a human leader.  Your people are much better able to give you all they have if they know you genuinely care about them.  That doesn't mean you need to now play the role of psychologist and counselor.  It does mean you have to care enough to ask about their family, their interests, and their aspirations.  You may just find you enjoy being human after all.