In this episode of the People and Tech podcast, hosts Dave Ballantyne and Duena Blomstrom engage with Dr. Cherry Vu and Rob England from Teal Unicorns who are shaping organisations in Asia and Vietnam, to discuss the importance of treating employees as humans rather than resources. They explore the concepts of HumanDebt AKA cultural debt, the shift from shareholder value to employee value, and the role of younger generations in driving change within organizations. The conversation emphasizes the need for psychological safety, transparency, and continuous learning in fostering a positive organizational culture. The guests share insights on overcoming fear and resistance to change, the journey of self-transformation in leadership, and the cultural nuances in implementing these changes across different regions. Ultimately, they express optimism for the future of work and the potential for organizations to thrive by embracing these human-centric principles and focusing on reducing their Human Debt.

takeaways

• Organizations often view people as resources, leading to exploitation.
• Caring for employee happiness can drive better organizational outcomes.
• The shift from shareholder value to employee value is crucial.
• Younger generations demand better treatment and work conditions.
• Psychological safety is essential for effective teamwork and innovation.
• Transparency in organizations fosters trust and engagement.
• Fear of losing control hinders leaders from empowering employees.
• Self-transformation in leadership can lead to better organizational culture.
• Continuous learning is vital for long-term success.
• Cultural differences exist, but fundamental human needs are universal.

Sound Bites

• "What got you here won't get you there!"
• "If we treat people like humans they will thrive."
• "We don't treat people as resources."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Importance of Treating People as Humans

03:08
The Shift in Values: Moving from Profit to People

06:32
The Changing Expectations of the Younger Generation

09:26
Adapting to the Accelerating Rate of Change

14:20
Overcoming Fear: Embracing a Human-Centered Approach

25:21
Embracing Change: Overcoming the Fear of Losing Control

27:06
Transparency: The Key to Success in Organizations

28:00
Becoming a Learning Organization: The Path to Continuous Improvement

31:16
Cultural Differences in Embracing Change

39:22
Opportunities for Change in Times of Turbulence

Learn more at www.peoplenottech.com