Humanizing the Workplace

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(From The Huffington Post)—I am not a big fan of statistics, having realized, long ago, that most people use them to bend people to their will or sell things that others don't need. Mark Twain understood this years ago when he said, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."

(From The Huffington Post)—I am not a big fan of statistics, having realized, long ago, that most people use them to bend people to their will or sell things that others don't need. Mark Twain understood this years ago when he said, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."

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But recently, a few statistics have gotten my attention.

But recently, a few statistics have gotten my attention.

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• 62% of American workers are dissatisfied with their jobs

• 62% of American workers are dissatisfied with their jobs

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• 88% of all Americans are unhappy with Congress

• 88% of all Americans are unhappy with Congress

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• 40-50% of all marriages are likely to end in divorce

• 40-50% of all marriages are likely to end in divorce

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• 23% of all middle-aged American women are on anti-depressants

• 23% of all middle-aged American women are on anti-depressants

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Taken individually, any of the above statistics can easily be ignored or ridiculed. But taken together, they begin to paint quite a troubling picture—one I daresay indicates that in America, at least, there is an emerging pattern of negativity and dissatisfaction.

Taken individually, any of the above statistics can easily be ignored or ridiculed. But taken together, they begin to paint quite a troubling picture—one I daresay indicates that in America, at least, there is an emerging pattern of negativity and dissatisfaction.

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As a management consultant to a wide range of leading organizations, I've noticed this phenomenon for years. Bottom line? People who work in corporations seem to be crankier than ever. Harried. Hassled. And in many ways, behaving more like human doings than human beings.

As a management consultant to a wide range of leading organizations, I've noticed this phenomenon for years. Bottom line? People who work in corporations seem to be crankier than ever. Harried. Hassled. And in many ways, behaving more like human doings than human beings.

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I'm not surprised. With the economic downturn, everyone is being asked to do more with less -- and faster than ever before. Head count is down. Expectations are up. And managers, no matter how many MBA degrees or stock options they have, still don't seem to understand how to establish a workplace environment that brings out the very best in people.

I'm not surprised. With the economic downturn, everyone is being asked to do more with less -- and faster than ever before. Head count is down. Expectations are up. And managers, no matter how many MBA degrees or stock options they have, still don't seem to understand how to establish a workplace environment that brings out the very best in people.

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Intellectually, they may know, but the translation of intellect into action doesn't always happen.

Intellectually, they may know, but the translation of intellect into action doesn't always happen.

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Of course, worker dissatisfaction is not all management's fault. There are lots of contributing factors that muddy the water. Still, there is a lot that management (and all the rest of us) can do to significantly improve the quality of the workplace experience -- or what I like to call "humanizing the workplace."

Of course, worker dissatisfaction is not all management's fault. There are lots of contributing factors that muddy the water. Still, there is a lot that management (and all the rest of us) can do to significantly improve the quality of the workplace experience -- or what I like to call "humanizing the workplace."

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Here's your starter kit:

Here's your starter kit:

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1. Take responsibility for your own state of mind. Come to work in the best possible head space. Stop blaming others for your problems.

1. Take responsibility for your own state of mind. Come to work in the best possible head space. Stop blaming others for your problems.

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2. Listen to others non-judgmentally. Establish the kind of safety people need to speak their truth.

2. Listen to others non-judgmentally. Establish the kind of safety people need to speak their truth.

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3. Share your best practices, lessons learned, and personal insights. Good news travels fast and it inspires.

3. Share your best practices, lessons learned, and personal insights. Good news travels fast and it inspires.

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4. Assume the best intent of others. Consider that the people you work with actually do want to make a difference.

4. Assume the best intent of others. Consider that the people you work with actually do want to make a difference.

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5. Encourage others to share their new and untested ideas. Remove fear from the equation.

5. Encourage others to share their new and untested ideas. Remove fear from the equation.

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Read more .

Read more.