“Human”
Merriam-Webster definition #3-b: representative of or susceptible to the sympathies and frailties of human nature (human kindness; a human weakness).
“Resources”
Merriam-Webster definition #1-c : a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life; and #1-e : a source of information or expertise.
“Human Resources”
Merriam-Webster definition #1: personnel.
What? Personnel?
How did we get from words like “sympathies” and “frailties” (read tenderness, vulnerability, transparency…as in the real human experience) and “phenomenon,” “quality of life” and “sources of information and expertise” to personnel, a scraped from the bottom of the barrel word that fails in every way to describe who we are and what we’re made of?
It is, regrettably, an accurate characterization of the state of the “modern,” and so often dehumanizing, organization.
Let’s do better than that. Here’s a new definition for your consideration:
Human Resources (plural noun): (1) those living, breathing, dynamic and creative persons who cherish nothing more than to come together in support of a cause worth fighting for; (2) Any number of individual persons who collaborate with dignity, respect, safety and in a spirit of service to breathe life into an enterprise that is worthy of their presence.
DAVID BERRY is the author of “A More Daring Life: Finding Voice at the Crossroads of Change” and the founder of RULE13 Learning. He speaks and writes about the complexity of leading in a changing world.
