Human Resources: The Misidentified Subject

Interest in the field of human resources has exploded in recent years due to the promises it offers for a better understanding of human beings at work. The term is now as ubiquitous as it has once been obscure. It is taught in schools and universities; it has turned into one of the main functions of a corporation in addition to marketing, finance, and accounting. Yet despite this trend, there are still many challenges facing the field. It seems like the subject of HR is talking the talk but not walking the walk. It is true that it is easy to talk about how we should treat employees and how to reward them in order to create an incentive for greater performance, but how do we tackle the most common problem of job dissatisfaction?

I believe that the root of all problems in the human resources field has to do with the fact that it has not been accurately defined. The way you define something determines how you will use it. For example, imagine a waiter at an Indian restaurant bringing you a bowl of warm water with a slice or a couple of slices of lemon in it at the end of your meal. If you define the contents of the bowl as "soup", you will begin to drink it (until someone stops you!). However, if you define it as a bowl to wash your hands, you will put your hands in the bowl and begin to wash your hands. In the very same way, the emphasis on the subject "human resources" has been misplaced. We put too much emphasis on the word "resource" rather than on the word "human". "Now what's wrong with that?" you may ask. To answer this question, we will begin with defining the words.

A resource, as defined by www.dictionary.com is "an available supply that can be drawn on when needed." Now if you take this definition you can clearly see that a resource is something you rely on for a pre-determined need. You already have a need and you need to fill it. Realize that in the job market today, people are ready to do anything to get that illusive dream they call "job security". They say, "I will do anything if you give me a job." The job that they are required to do is pre-determined. The outcome of this is have to change themselves to fit the job if they are not passionate about it (this is the equivalent of trying to push a square peg in the round hole and we learned when we were younger that it just doesn't work!). If they love to do it, then job dissatisfaction is out of the question. However, if they do not love what they are doing you will have a person who is on the payroll just doing the bare minimum which creates no value to pass on to your customers. There is a high probability that the person will eventually quit because they don't feel that they are contributing to the level that they can at this job because they aren't passionate about it. They feel stifled. When you treat someone like a resource they will feel like a resource; another cog in the big wheel.

If you shift the emphasis to "human" side of the definition, you are defining a being of potential. A being of potential cannot be squeezed into a pre-determined need. You will have to find out the strengths of that person and about what they are interested in; what they are passionate about! This information will then allow you to determine exactly what they can do in your company to provide value by using their strengths and working in what they love to do. Everyone can provide value when they do what they love. Job dissatisfaction is out of the question when you love what you do. When you love something you will work late for it; wake up early for it; do anything just to do it! With that as the leading attitude, all acts of creation and work spontaneously creates value for the company and the customers. Value comes from passion! A passion for something creates the venue for excellence in that very thing. All of that happens when the emphasis is on the word "human" rather than on "resource". We should change the name of the field to "human resourcefulness" rather than "human resources" to tap into the limitless potential within the human being rather than reducing them to a mere resource.

The answer to any problem lies in the way you define the problem. Change your definition and you change your possibilities. This is true for whatever field you are looking at. So today, take a look at an area in your life, redefine it, and then see if that new meaning opens up a new way to live it. If redefining it creates more potential you must start using it, and if it limits you, you must drop it. Where else can you use this? What else in your life has been misidentified? When you answer these questions to the best of your ability, the myriad possibilities of life will open up for you.

Sukhbir Singh is the founder and leading trainer of LifeApps! Personal Development International based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The current workshop being offered by us is the Create Your Purpose Weekend which was created for people who felt that they were living the same monotonous life with no clear purpose. "By the time you leave this workshop, you will have a purpose and something to live for! You will wake up everyday from now on knowing what you were meant to do and will go out and do it!" is the resounding promise that Sukhbir Singh always states at the preview and at the beginning of the workshop itself.

All of the seminars and workshops have an unconditional full refund guarantee if the participants do not sense a change or see new possibilities created by the event. We can assert this claim because of the confidence we have in the value of our programs to help people reevaluate the way they live their lives.

For more information on LifeApps! or on booking Sukhbir Singh for an event, please send an email to info@lifeapps.com

The Associated Press

Oracle to pay $1.9B for Taleo, extends SAP rivalry The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) ? Oracle Corp. is escalating its rivalry with German business-software maker SAP AG with a $1.9 billion purchase of Taleo Corp., a company that helps businesses hire and manage their employees. The proposed purchase announced Thursday ... Oracle Will Purchase Taleo for $46 a Share in Deal Valued at $1.9 BillionBloomberg Oracle to pay $1.9 billion for personnel software company, extends rivalry ...Washington Post Oracle buying Taleo for $1.9 billion, cloud war brewsReuters BusinessWeek -Wall Street Journal all 358 news articles »

TEXT-S&P revises Apollo Investment Corp outlook to stable Reuters (The following statement was released by the rating agency) -- Apollo Investment Corp. (AIC) has announced changes in management, a reduction in its dividend, and adjustments to its investment strategy. -- In our view, changes to the firm's investment ... Apollo Investment Changing Strategy, ManagementWall Street Journal Company News for February 9, 2012Zacks.com Apollo Investment's CEO Discusses Q3 2012 Results - Earnings Call TranscriptSeeking Alpha Economic Times -Tech24 all 28 news articles »

Integrated Asset Management Corp. Announces Results for the First Quarter of ... MarketWatch (press release) TORONTO, ONTARIO, Feb 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Integrated Asset Management Corp. ("IAM") /quotes/zigman/18979 CA:IAM -7.14% today announced unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. Review of the 3-Month Period ... and more »

Mildred Hailey to Retire From Bromley-Heath Tenant Management Corp. Patch.com Mildred Hailey to Retire From Bromley-Heath Tenant Management Corp. The Jackson Square housing development will be run by the Boston Housing Authority, at least in the short term. By Chris Helms It's the end of an era at Bromley-Heath, as the woman who ... and more »

State Street's Powers Seeks to Expand Active Money Management Bloomberg Scott Powers, head of State Street Corp.'s investments unit, said the Boston-based company is looking to increase its active management business. ?We're focused on broadening out our active capabilities,? Powers said during a presentation in New York ... and more »

Baja Mining Files Management Information Circular and Exposes Mount Kellett's ... MarketWatch (press release) VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Feb 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Baja Mining Corp. /quotes/zigman/31250 CA:BAJ +4.30% (otcqx:BAJFF) today advised shareholders that it has filed and is mailing its Management Information Circular for a Special ... and more »

Owl Creek hedge fund cuts stake in Navistar Reuters Feb 9 (Reuters) - New York-based Owl Creek Asset Management, a $7 billion hedge fund, reported a 7-percent stake in truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp, down from an 8.4 percent stake in December, a regulatory filing showed on Thursday. and more »

CPI Corp. Announces Leadership Transition MarketWatch (press release) "I look forward to working more closely with the management team and our associates across the country to help improve the Company's financial performance." Abel chaired the company's Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee, ... CPI Corp. to Trade on OTCQX as "CPIC"NEWS.GNOM.ES (press release) all 30 news articles »

Deyu Agriculture Corp. Acquires Deep Processed Food Manufacturer, Taizihu Group MarketWatch (press release) Forward looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Deyu Agriculture Corp.'s management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. and more »

Moneycontrol.com

Thomson Reuters posts loss, $3 billion goodwill charge Reuters By Jennifer Saba | NEW YORK (Reuters) - Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) reported a fourth-quarter loss on Thursday after taking a $3 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge to account for the decline in its financial services business. Thomson Reuters posts loss, $3 bln goodwill chargeChicago Tribune Thomson Reuters hit by US$3-billion goodwill chargeFinancial Post Thomson NEWS.GNOM.ES posts loss, $3 billion goodwill charge (NEWS.GNOM.ES)NEWS.GNOM.ES (press release) all 52 news articles »