Tap Into Human Nature

Contributed by Betsy Kosier, MA JD
President/Owner of Interaction Alliance
Connecting People, Process & Purpose


We all know that one of the biggest issues for companies is the bottom line. An important part of cost containment and sustainability is making sure that you’re utilizing your human resources to their fullest potential. One way to do this is by tapping into human nature to create an environment that helps to facilitate long term success.

To get the most out people who work for you and with you, pay attention to three basic characteristics of human nature:

• People need to and want to be heard
• People need to and want to be valued
• People operate best when there is clarity

What does it take for people to be heard?
Listen. Let them know what you’ve heard, clarify if you need to and use what you’ve learned to move forward constructively. While the intensity of this need to be heard varies from person to person, its premise is reflected everywhere – from the procedural justice intent of due process rights imbedded in the U. S. Constitution to the concepts inherent in collaboration, neutral facilitation and facilitative mediation. The importance of being heard is at the heart of “buy-in.” Opportunity to be heard is the least costly way to achieve a sense of satisfaction and fairness among stakeholders – the people who are affected by outcomes and decisions – and the most likely way to arrive at good decisions.

What does it take for people to be valued?
Give them a chance to meaningfully contribute by offering them opportunities to share perspectives, generate ideas, solve problems and shape decisions. Acknowledge their contributions by letting them know how their perspectives or ideas will have impact or be incorporated. Be clear from the start about how new ideas and information will be utilized. Authentic participation and realistic expectations help people own and follow-through with decisions.

What does it take to provide clarity?
Communicate expectations that are transparent. Identify non-negotiables. Be open to questions and provide genuine opportunities for inquiry about boundaries, roles, authority, performance standards, conflict resolution and direction. Make sure the task is clear and participants understand what human interaction it will take to accomplish the task well. Strive for consistency; too many moving targets will produce confusion, defensiveness, frustration, and even mutiny or sabotage.

If you are mindful of these important human attributes, what do you get?
You reap greater capacity, innovation, effort, buy-in, accountability and results. Instead of surprises, uncertainty, errors, destructive conflict and misdirected efforts, you achieve a more functional organization that is more purposeful about its culture…and its well being.

Need help with this? Contact Interaction Alliance! We will help you implement opportunities for facilitated discussion, inquiry and information exchange for planning, problem solving or organizational development.

IA ensures a responsive, comfortable process where each person contributes meaningfully to information exchange and inquiry. We make certain that interaction is constructive no matter how diverse perspectives are, and participants are heard regardless of complexity or intensity. We make progress and sustainable results possible by accurately capturing and summarizing content. Most importantly, we honor your capacity to make your own decisions.

For additional information or assistance contact:
Betsy Kosier at 775-883-3927
Visit our web site at http://www.yourinteraction.com

Find out more about the Business Achievement Center at our web site http://www.BusinessAchievementCenter.com. Our group of Strategic Partners are here to help businesses from start-up to expansion with our experience and expertise.