What is Total Respect Management (TR3M) and Why is it Essential to Your Success? (2)
Peter BLOKLAND, PhD
Empowering organizations through systems thinking, ethical leadership, ISO 31000 training, and team alignment for better decision-making and continuous improvement.
Part 2: What is the meaning of Total Respect Management and why is it necessary?
Total Respect Management (TR3M) in a VUCA and BANI World
In the complex and unpredictable VUCA and BANI world we live in, businesses and society are constantly under pressure and change. In this context, Total Respect Management (TR3M) offers a holistic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in which respect is central. But why is it essential right now to consciously integrate respect into management practices? And why do we associate the terms "total" and "respect" with something like "management"?
TR3M goes beyond a management style; It's a science-based strategy. This approach not only helps organizations to operate more safely and effectively, but also contributes to a more sustainable world. In this newsletter, we delve into the necessity and benefits of TR3M for modern organizations.
The Meaning of "Respect" in TR3M
The origins of "respect" in the context of Total Respect Management lie in the Latin term "respectus," which means "to look back" or "to look after." The verb "respicere" refers to a conscious and attentive gaze, which is at the heart of TR3M. This is about carefully and sincerely observing people and situations, with an eye for their value and needs. At TR3M, respect does not only mean giving attention, but also tuning in to the right balance: enough attention to feel appreciated, without exaggeration or underestimation.
In TR3M, respect stands for conscious attention to the value, needs and impact of each individual and every action within an organization. "Total" points out that this respect is not limited to big decisions and visible actions, but also applies to the smaller, subtle details that form the foundation for a healthy organizational culture.
The Meaning of "Total" in Total Respect Management
The word "Total" in Total Respect Management emphasizes the comprehensive and holistic approach to this strategy. TR3M encourages careful attention at all levels within an organization or community, not only between individuals, but also in processes, decision-making, resource management and so on. This approach implies that every aspect of the organization — from day-to-day interactions to strategic choices — is handled with attention and care.
In the TR3M philosophy, managers and employees strive for a culture in which respect and responsibility are central. It creates an environment of trust. This means that the results as well as the interconnections and details that contribute to a respectful, sustainable organization are valued. In this way, the smallest actions and decisions provide a basis of greater trust and better cooperation, essential for sustainable growth and development at all levels of the organization.
People, Profit and Planet: TR3M's Triple Focus
An important aspect of TR3M is its focus on the triple bottom line: People, Profit and Planet. These three elements are essential for a balanced and sustainable organization. Within TR3M, there is a focus on human and ecological values, in addition to economic sustainability. In this way, Total Respect Management provides a solid foundation for companies that strive for a balance between profitability and responsibility, with the right attention for both people and the planet. For TR3M, this means putting extra effort into leadership development, integration of risk management and a culture of continuous improvement and for each of these three pillars, Total Respect Management offers processes to embed this in organizations independent of the individuals who staff the organization.
Why is there a need for TR3M?
Current societal problems, such as climate change, migration, social inequality and geopolitical tensions, have their origins in enormous population growth. In a lifetime, the world's population has risen from 2 billion to 8 billion people. This growth is undeniably a sign of progress: people are living longer, and while hunger is still a problem, food production has increased significantly worldwide.
However, this growth comes with challenges. All these people aspire to a dignified existence, and going back to a previous state is impossible. Therefore, it is essential to develop new forms of value creation, to better distribute wealth, to drastically reduce the use of raw materials, and to implement circular production and consumption systems. To achieve this, we must strive for excellence and continuously improve in terms of value creation, value redistribution, and innovation.
A purely shareholder-centric approach puts our society at risk. Instead, a broader, "stakeholder" approach is needed, in which shareholders remain important stakeholders, of course, but are not the only focus.
Total Respect Management (TR3M) strives for an inclusive approach in which organizations pay attention to all relevant stakeholders, including society as a whole. TR3M helps organizations focus on sustainable growth and social responsibility, so that we all work together to build a future that is fairer, more sustainable and more valuable for everyone.
Today, I can confidently answer the question of how organizations can take their social responsibility for a better future for our children and grandchildren. In this series of articles on Total Respect Management (TR3M), I will share in the coming weeks more about this approach and how it can help organizations make a positive impact.
Offer
For those who want to deepen their knowledge, I have brought together the core insights in an inspiring one-day training course that I will offer in 2025, in collaboration with ELRON. These introductory sessions on Total Respect Management will take place on 25 March in Wilrijk (Antwerp) and on 21 November in Hasselt. If desired, these sessions can also be organized "in-house" by BYAZ. (This training is in Dutch)
More information and registration can be found via: ELRON training.
In addition, I am currently working on a multi-day training that will enable organizations to implement TR3M in depth and embed it in their strategy and daily operations. I look forward to sharing more details in a future newsletter soon.