BrazilCompanies must be human-centred to thrive in new world, says Nextcontinent
Companies must prioritize a human-centred approach to stay competitive. That is according to a new report from Nextcontinent, which posits that companies need to focus more on employee well-being and engagement throughout their entire journey with the company.
The way companies operate is undergoing a significant shift. One key factor driving this change is the evolving expectations of the younger generations entering the workforce. These digital natives put higher value on transparency, collaboration, and a less rigid hierarchy.
The human-centred organisation is one that exists to fulfil a purpose for its users, customers, and community, and orients all of its innovation and operations activities around those people, according to Nextcontinent, a global network of management consulting firms. This is a major trend that will define the future of work.
Change is coming
The pressure for companies to become more human-centred is already being felt in many industries. Employee well-being is already a major consideration for successful organizations and should be seen not as just a bonus, but as a crucial part of a healthy organisation.
There is a palpable disenchantment with corporate culture especially among young people, which needs to be addressed through new ways of working and interacting that more appealing. Companies need to make their workplaces less dehumanising and alienating.
Another part of being more human-centred will mean offering real support to employees experiencing issue like stress, burnout, or just a lack of engagement. Holistic employee satisfaction needs to be derived from meaning and purpose in the work that people do.
These changes – far from being simply philanthropic – actually improve companies’ organisational performance. In the worst-case-scenario, discontent and dissatisfaction ultimately lead to employees totally disengaging, something which has been described as ‘quiet quitting’.
The cost of not being human-centred
The failure to become human-centred can be greatly detrimental to the overall health of an organization. For example, companies often see stress and health-related issues leading to higher absenteeism and can struggle to retain top talent.
With so many companies seeking to meet ESG goals, a failure to centre employees can lead to major setbacks in the social pillar of ESG. This can also have a wider impact on reputation among investors and other stakeholders.
Companies that take these types of risks seriously will be evaluating how they should proceed with managing their talent, especially as younger workers continue to make up an increasingly significant part of workforces.
Employee experience
Creating a better employee experience should be at the very core of making an organisation more human-centred. There are several different dimensions to employee experience, including health and well-being, and also the collective dimensions like leadership, management, relationships, and the work environment.
The nature of the work itself needs to engage employees, said Nextcontinent. There should also be clear growth and development opportunities, with salaries and benefits that make employees feel appreciated. This is an important part of attracting and retaining talent.
In the social dimension, companies need to prioritize organizational culture, relationships with colleagues and superiors, and a greater sense of belonging and inclusion. The tangible side of things include more efficient technology and a pleasant physical workplace (office design).
The most important part of employee experience is that the employee and the organisational culture are in alignment. That includes personal and structural alignment, but also mission alignment, wherein employees are aligned with a company’s collective action.
The bottom line is: companies must prioritise a human-centric approach to thrive in today’s evolving workplace. By fostering a strong, aligned organisational culture and prioritising employee well-being, businesses can attract top talent, boost innovation, and ensure long-term success.
