You're on the sidelines. Research shows that life today is better than ever. Still, you don’t see it that way. Why? Because the world around you is changing so fast that you can barely keep up. Technological developments seem to befall us. Amidst the frenzy you want to have some sort of influence on society, on politics – and on your work. But you can see that companies and authorities are gaining more and more power and your influence is waning. And that frustrates you beyond measure.

Output is more important than people. Results seem to be all that matters. Results that you have to deliver. That obsession with output does us all a disservice because there are other things that are equally important, such as paying attention to others, inspiration, commitment, nature. Output thinking doesn’t allow for any of this. That grates and affects us all. Just consider the call for the human dimension in education and care.

The way we work, doesn’t work anymore. Human Resources Management only reinforces that tension. It regards people as resources required to provide output, whereas you want to feel engaged and have a meaningful job.

It’s time to turn things around and put you first, to look upon work as a resource for people so that you can decide for yourself what part work plays in your life, what you want to get out of it, and how you, in conjunction with others, can make a difference. Because everyone counts.

That is why we call on organisations, governments, entrepreneurs, HR departments and everyone in the labour market to switch from Human Resources to work as Resource for Humans. From HR to RH.

1.   Flip the perspective. Start with people and their own story. Let everyone, from receptionist to CEO, tell their story and share those stories with each other. What does your job mean to you – and how do you get the most out of it?
2.   Flip the modus operandi. Forget KPIs; base missions and goals on these stories. Combine them into one big story that provides a compass. Equate ethics with output, so that we make the right choices.  Give people the freedom to organise their work in a way that really works for them, without a culture of accountability. Make way for inspiration and creativity by making it possible to be amazed beyond the workplace.
3.   Flip the labour market. The more people and parties adjust, the more we can fundamentally change the system and the more meaningful work becomes for us all. Including you. Create your story, take control and join in. Because work is subservient to you; not the other way around.