Consider human beings as seeds, they will blossom: Sadhguru

If organisations think of human beings as resources, they run the risk of pigeonholing their potential, Sadhguru, the founder of Isha Foundation, said.

Human beings must instead be considered as seeds, which in the right environment can blossom, Sadhguru said at a leadership programme, ‘Human Is Not A Resource’, organised by the Isha Leadership Academy. Organisations are much more likely to get the best results out of employees when they inspire and encourage them to reach their full potential, he said.

The annual leadership event is being held virtually this year. The proceeds from the three-day programme will go to Isha COVID Action, an initiative to provide critical assistance to those affected by Covid-19.

The programme brings together thought leaders and business and HR heads to discuss practical steps to enable a paradigm shift from human beings as resources to human beings as possibilities.

Sadhguru also urged businesses to capitalise on rural India's potential. “It is critical that businesses expand in rural India, because there is a lot more room for innovation. Wherever the people are, businesses should follow, and organisations should relocate at least 10% to 15% of their operations to rural areas,” he said.

Because a majority of people live in rural areas, industries must also establish skill development centres for the roles they require, Sadhguru said.

The programme featured a discussion between Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, and Sadhguru, on the meaning of purpose for companies.

“We wanted to maximise our effect on the community more than we wanted to increase our revenues. We went into businesses that some people thought were absurd, but we went into them because we saw a need in the community. I inherited a group that shared these ideals,” Tata said.

He highlighted the response of Taj hotel employees in Mumbai during the 2008 terror attacks on the city as an example of team spirit.

“What made the staff risk their lives and respond the way they did? It was the spirit of the organisation that prompted the staff to respond in this manner; they were not given any instructions on how to respond. We must recognise that value,” he said.

With the Covid-19 pandemic having disrupted business models and causing organisations to speed up their digital journey, the time is ripe for a model of transformation that is based on passion, purpose and culture, said the panellists at the programme.

“It is time to rethink the HR mandate. Human capital and financial capital need to go hand in hand for the best results, and the best organisations will think of people as assets, not resources,” said Sunil Buch, an independent director at Orbit Exports.

The human resources function needs to be seen as more than just talent management or rewards and recognition, but an overarching function that is responsible for strategy, culture and business decisions, said Rajeev Dubey, former CEO of the after-market sector at Mahindra & Mahindra.

“HR leaders need to seamlessly work for business transformation, and organisations need to have them on the company boards, in order to fully realise their potential,” said Dubey.