Anthony Mitchell, Chairman & Director of strategic leadership firm, Bendelta
“Unlocking human potential will be the ultimate source of competitive advantage in the cyber-physical age and the organisations that flourish in this age will be those that can harness the human potential or their people – Human Potential Organisations. Human Resources (HR) will be responsible for removing barriers and encouraging everyone to access that deep well of talent and motivation inside of them to achieve their potential,” advises Anthony Mitchell, Chairman & Director of strategic leadership firm, Bendelta. “If all employees achieve their full potential at the same time, the organisation can achieve so much more,” he adds.
Bendelta is a sponsor company at the marcus evans HR Summit 2017, taking place in the Gold Coast, Queensland, 27 - 29 March.
What are the biggest issues facing HR today?
We are moving into an era where machine learning and exponential technology are taking organisations forward in ways we have not seen before. Functions are getting more skilled at using digital data. As the service fuelling the organisation, there is a need for HR to employ much more scientific methods, utilise pioneering technologies and high quality data to build capability.
What steps should HR take to create a human potential organisation?
The first step is to truly commit to excellence and scientific methods. HR must look at organisational designs that were built up in the industrial age and no longer make any sense because they limit human potential, and remove those barriers to create what I describe as human potential organisations. In these environments, people are more likely to achieve their positive potential. When combined with that of their fellow colleagues, it will drive even better business results. It means getting rid of the bureaucracies and traditional ways of working, which essentially treat human beings as unthinking animals who need to be stovepiped into obedience. We need the exact opposite now in this age of disruption. We need a level of agility like never before. We need human beings to use their capacity for creativity and collaboration.
HR departments should use scientific methods, the leading technology and real time data to do what works. Not what looks good, not what defends the spending decisions that have been made, but what genuinely drives improvements and higher capability levels.
What qualities should leaders have? What makes a leader inspirational?
Certain leadership qualities are timeless, such as honesty, being forward-looking and inspiring. We single out six key qualities that are important in leaders today: agility, creativity, empathy, collaboration, resilience and decision-making. Organisations can identify which qualities are most important for their organisation, the role or area of business, and focus on those.
How can HR improve employee engagement?
We must get away from the idea that people are best treated as robots or unthinking machines. People give their most when they are feeling self-determined motivation; they give their all irrespective of how much they are paid. If we want that, it is important to achieve a sense of autonomy. We are most motivated when we have sovereignty over decisions, when we feel that we are making meaningful choices. That requires the removal of barriers and impediments. The next step is to help people play to their strengths but always be stretched. People spend too much time in their comfort zone. Nobody achieves their full potential on autopilot. People need to do things they are well wired to do, but always moving it to the next level.
The other piece of the equation is connecting people with each other. We are social animals and we are at our best when we are collaborating with others. Finally, human beings are purpose animals, with a desire to do things that give our life meaning. That is the final ingredient for tapping into someone’s full potential. If we join that with the engagement of others, we can multiply all of that potential together for amazing business impact.
Author: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
About the HR Summit 2017
The 13th annual HR Summit is the premium forum bringing elite buyers and sellers together. The Summit offers chief HR executives and service and solution providers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of the key new drivers shaping corporate priorities and HR strategies. Taking place at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, 27 - 29 March, the Summit includes presentations on a range of topics, among which helping the organisation sharpen its customer focus, developing outstanding leaders, redesigning structures for higher efficiency, and creating an innovative culture.
For more information please send an email to [email protected] or read more here.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
