How To Become A People-Focused Business In 2022

At the forefront of every business is its people. Silicon Valley companies focus heavily on hiring the best talent. Thus it becomes essential for companies to adopt strategies that attract talent.

Every company could benefit from adopting a more people-focused approach. Giving employees more freedom and responsibility is at the heart of Netflix’s viral public culture presentation. A flame is rippling through what was once, a dull and cutthroat environment, transcending into what lies at the center of human psychology.

 Mutual trust and cooperation have proven to lead to greater results. Satisfying people’s needs for purpose, freedom, and responsibility will in turn lead to greater retention.

Leaders need to see beyond the daily stresses of their competitive environments and keep their eyes forward on investing energy into the right hires. This begins with an acute sense of self-awareness. 

As Lezly D’limi, CEO of talentko(™) eloquently puts it, “I always had the intention of building a business that put people first, however, I didn’t have the self-awareness or even knew where to start.” Once it was established just how important “freedom” was to her, she made it talentko(™)’s mission to provide the same freedom to her teams.

Here is how to become a people-focused business in 2022.

Transition to a More Flexible Workplace

Abiding by the 9-5 structure has proved not to be the most productive method in achieving the highest performance and output. Allowing work-from-home options reduces the anxiety around potential lockdowns, as well, gives people flexibility.

Lezly had experience with unfair work practices which is why she is now committed to building a company that removes these barriers for people and instead, empowers them to “ treat their desks like their own businesses.” She abides by the concept of radical responsibility because it allows people to consistently improve themselves by taking ownership of their success.

Build a Purpose-Led Culture

The most talented people in an organization are the ones that are not driven purely by financial gain. They believe in achieving a greater vision.

 If you want people to give their best performance at a higher frequency, attach a purpose to their tasks. Invite them in strategy conversations and how they can contribute. Build an environment where employees benefit from collaboration as if they were on the same team, instead of competing over scarce promotions.

Give Employees Equal Opportunities to Thrive and Grow

Sometimes, people need a nudge in the right direction in order to meet their true potential. Stress from work or other personal circumstances can wreaks havoc on one’s mental health, preventing them from achieving their best.

Acknowledging this is crucial for a leader. A leader’s role is to provide a generous amount of solutions to help their employees “see their light through the cracks”, as Lezly put it.

Invictus was the first workshop that transformed Lezly’s life and put her on the path to building the people-focused, value-driven company of her dreams. Today, she lends the same wisdom and generosity to her employees, allowing them to participate in numerous self-development programs. 

Her goal is to empower her employees to “find joy and prosperity at work”. The more that her employees are able to work through their own issues, the more likely their true potential is able to shine through. All in all, a more engaged workforce, leads to greater growth for the company.

One way Lezly strives to make “conscious leadership available for all”  is “by providing the resources and tools to help people improve themselves, and in a way eliminating the excuses”. She firmly believes that people should not be marginalized for their personal experiences, because everyone has the ability to “change their lives and create their own freedoms”.

Conclusion

The pulse of a company depends on how much energy is being invested in its people. The path forward is becoming more clear: provide people with the tools to succeed. Whether that means subsidizing equipment for them to work from home, or having more transparent discussions at work. The answer is simple, treat humans as humans, not as resources.