Teaching People to Be Human

As a Trainer Coach, I sometimes start the first minute of my leadership and management training by asking my students this question: what does it take to be human?  We were trained to be smart, shrewd, and even manipulative to get things done.  Many were stunned by my question as they thought that being human is inconsistent with being an effective leader and manager. 

Truth be told, being human has nothing to do with management and leadership but everything to do with management and leadership EFFECTIVENESS.  You can't be an effective and sustainable leader and manager if you're not being human.  I think being human means the following 7 things:

1. It has different meanings for different people
2. It also has different meanings for different cultures and faith. We must accept cultural diversity as the new norm
3. Practice what we preach
4. Skillfully, not unskillfully put down the thoughts and comments of others
5. Not engage in wars to prove that we are better than others or impose our way of life on them.  Instead use persuasion, influence and negotiation to change them
6. Being humble enough to learn from people, especially learn from people who are not as knowledgeable, experienced or successful as us. One way to test your humility in this area is to ask yourself when was the last time you attended a management or leadership course?
7. Look for the Good in Others, do not always find fault.  Focus on people's strengths and turn their weaknesses into a strength and use teamwork and systems to mitigate the impact of their weaknesses. 

In short, being human is not about being right, but being right about your thoughts on being human.  What are your thoughts on being human?  Share with me in the comments here.  Our courses are at here. Related articles:

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