Why 'Human Resources' Is Killing Your Company Culture

If you work in HR, put down your pitchforks and torches. It's not your department or profession that upsets me—in fact, I have immense respect for the incredible people in HR striving to build positive and engaging workplace cultures.

But I've had this article circulating in my mind for years, and I've written it more times than I can count but never hit publish. The last thing I want is to piss off an entire profession. However, it's time to address something that has been bothering me for a long time.

The term "human resources" makes my skin crawl.

My first visceral reaction to this term happened years ago during a conversation about delegation. A colleague told me to better utilize my "resources," and that I could "use them however I want," referring to my team members. That word—resources—hit me like a ton of bricks. My team wasn't a collection of interchangeable parts. They were people with unique talents, aspirations, and lives beyond the office.

The real issue with calling people "resources" is that it dehumanizes them. Whether or not it's meant to, it suggests that employees are just another asset, like office supplies or financial capital, rather than the very heartbeat of an organization. This mindset fosters disconnection and discontent. It leads to high turnover and disengagement because it fails to recognize the individuality and worth of each person.

Kolby Goodman, an expert in finding the right team fit, and I discussed this at length on Taking Back Monday last week. We talked about how true leadership is about understanding your people, not just managing resources. Trust and engagement come from genuine communication and respect, not from treating people like tools to be used.

We've all seen great leaders and teams, but we've also seen the corporate antibodies—those who undermine others to advance their own agendas. These individuals operate in a self-serving manner, prioritizing their success over the well-being of the team or the organization. They thrive in environments where people are viewed as expendable resources. This behavior creates a toxic culture where collaboration is stifled and trust is nonexistent. It’s a cutthroat atmosphere where everyone is looking out for themselves, resulting in a fragmented and inefficient organization.

When companies treat employees like cogs in a machine, they shouldn’t be surprised by low engagement, high turnover, and bare minimum effort. People aren't motivated by being seen as resources. They thrive when they are recognized, valued, and treated with dignity.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are companies out there getting it right, building great cultures, and putting people first. These organizations recognize the unique contributions of each employee and foster environments where individuals feel valued and heard. They understand that when people are treated with respect and dignity, they are more motivated, engaged, and loyal. These companies are leading the charge in redefining what it means to be an employer, proving that a "people first" approach is not only possible but also profitable.

It's time to retire the term "human resources." Let’s start treating people like the invaluable contributors they are. Imagine a workplace where every employee feels recognized for their unique contributions, where their individual skills and aspirations are acknowledged and nurtured.

The return on investment in human dignity is immeasurable.