The human element
productivity, self-esteem, and the bottom line
by William Schutz · first published 1994
12mentions
3recommended by
3HN commenters
2020–2025first – last mentioned
100% recommend
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To get grounded in this issue I highly recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Element-Productivity-Self-Estee... to nail the fundamentals. There's too many HN posts on human dynamics that float above the fundamentals leaving the whole issue in a fog. It will make clear there are three…
on “Don't soften feedback” ↗…shame. As I mention time to time on HN the best, short, spot on reads that take this to its core avoiding simplistic conclusions while arriving at doable, realistic things are two: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Element-Productivity-Self-Estee... https://www.amazon.com/What-Total-Quality-Control-Japanese/d... In different, self reinforcing ways, there's a confluence: those with self awareness will figure it out nicely…
on “The unreasonable effectiveness of one-on-ones” ↗…to suck up crappy work that previous workers never did right. The worker refuses to change. Until and unless the feelings and contextualization of this conflict is engaged, it will not be resolved. As Human Element correctly notes, good teams have a valuable asset of adaptability. There need not for example be an alpha leader, common vision etc (more static idealogical constructs) to getting things done, if these…
on “Sorting the Self: Assessments and the cult of personality” ↗…sure. But know? No way. What's between the ears is between their ears and inaccessible to me. Second, assume the PCA (principle component analysis) of behavior is control, inclusion, openness. Read "Human Element" or get an old copy of FIRO from him or his son Ethan Schutz --- excellent stuff and perfect for the office: it's like healthcare on the battle field: pointed, focused, can-do, common sense, but not so…
on “My experiment with clear and direct communication” ↗…it is a very thin veneer with foggy bits of truth that doesn't move the bar at all. If you want to quit messing around with fog and "hit it" right, directly, and fundamentally, then buy two books: - Human Element: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Element-Productivity-Self-Estee... - Total Quality Management the Japanese Way: https://www.amazon.com/What-Total-Quality-Control-Management... That's what? Not even $10…
on “Signs You’re Building a World-Class Team” ↗…software world, we could do a lot better at: https://www.amazon.com/What-Total-Quality-Control-Japanese/d... A focus on dynamics between individuals, teams, and organizations: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Element-Productivity-Self-Estee... As for the tech, CS, science, math parts of the equation ... HN is a wonderful resource.
on “It Seems Obvious That AI Will Replace Zuckerberg Within 12 to 18 Months” ↗…we have to use them ... and they cannot be essentially fired without extraordinary cause. Cross functional coordination is essential to getting and keeping people on the same sheet of music. I'd read "Human Element" (Dr. Schutz) and "Total Quality Management the Japanese Way" (K. Ishikawa [might be sp there but title is good]). In my experience manufacturing knows this is true, even they don't always practice it.…
on “Using NLP to enable flatter organizations” ↗This topic is surely worth a lot more discussion. It's a systemic pronlem that needs a systemic solution. I would heartily recommend "The Human Element" by Schutz. in this regards. It's worth reading because of its simplicity, effectiveness, and because it deals head-on with this subject of BS. Among the major arguments, * The single biggest obstacle…
on “Confronting Indifference Toward Truth – Dealing with Workplace Bullshit” ↗…or expensive their service is. And when they find out they might be replaced, they fight it all the way. See: https://www.amazon.com/What-Total-Quality-Control-Japanese/d... https://www.amazon.com/Human-Element-Productivity-Self-Estee... https://www.amazon.com/FIRO-Three-Dimensional-Theory-Interpe... and any work from Deming, Crosby, or Drucker which do far better at integrating business, profit, people, and…
on “The immediate victims of a con would rather act as if the con never happened” ↗…list as antithetical to good business. Nobody who's had to reform a loss making human organization (think Motorola and SPC, IBM in 1990s, Xerox late 80s, Iacocca and Chrysler, or Dr Schutz of the book Human Element) used or condoned most of what appears here.
on “Book Summary: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. The Full List with Notes” ↗…raw, honest feelings or bottom lining the situation to avoid social norms to let the "truth" out isn't per se really open. To are caveats here: there are a range of defensive behaviors (see below on Human Element and Dr. Schutz) so that while one may come across as honest and authentic (ex. not PC, not catering, not-careful) are in fact non-self-aware behaviors one exhibits to avoid conflicts with self-esteem.…
on “My experiment with clear and direct communication” ↗…consulting job many years ago. At that point in my life I really needed the help, and I've been drawing on it ever since. I can add a few more things, but again, this is what I learned from Dr. Schutz ("Human Element " & "FIRO Theory"). Unfortunately he passed away but his son took over. A few tid-bits not necessarily well-ordered: - Schutz's insights into teamwork, individuals, organizations arose after WWII. The…
on “Alignment” ↗