The Human Element: Productivity, Self-Esteem, and the Bottom Line (Jossey Bass Business & Management Series)

I've read the book several times, and benefited immensely from Human Element training. Human interaction in human organizations is a peculiar thing. As Drucker once argued, the old way of doing business was to make a concoction and sell the hell out of it (think Coke, WD-40, cleaning fluids, drinks, pharma). In that work there's a concentration of talent. Post 1980s, with the advent of technology and TQM/Six-simga, competitive firms depend on strong cross-functional coordination in which human intelligence on more abstract things is more key. In that work human interaction is even more important. While companies glad-hand this, there's often no serious engagement of the fundamentals. In consequence teamwork problems are discussed with friends, hashed out outside of work over drinks, or discussed on social media sites. That in turn leaves the whole issue in a fog ... a grand but ultimately ineffective collection of boutique opinions, modalities, models that never seems to get any grounding. If you want to move beyond all that noise, this book is for you. I recommend reading it in conjunction with:https://www.amazon.com/What-Total-Quality-Control-Japanese/dp/0139524339/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UNZNYETX0LT8&keywords=total+quality+management+japanese+way&qid=1637692671&s=books&sprefix=total+quality+man%2Caps%2C194&sr=1-1to see how a superior understanding of human interaction works hand-in-hand with enterprise level improvement.

Lots of books have been written proposing ways for productivity improvement. Schtuz goes the deepest. His skematic view about selfesteem and organizational outcomes relationship is inspirational and didactic. The three dimensional model -inclusion, control and openess- explains the main human relationships. I've applied some of his ideas in a sort of companies and I've discovered that The Human Element approach really works.

Seeing mention of Schutz in Kripal’s “Esalen”, Vonnegut and McConnel’s “Pity the Reader,” and Jones and Brazzel’s “The NTL Handbook” (see my reviews), I was interested in learning more about how his work had progressed over the years.Active in similar fields, I had met Schutz in a personal growth workshop he conducted, used his FIRO-B instrument, as well as read a few of his books and articles from some time ago. Consequently, it was heartening to see how he drew his experience together and brought it to bear in a business context during the latter part of his career---masterful theory and practice for building further.More specifically, the book consists mainly of an introduction (The Heart of the Human Element), two parts of six chapters and a conclusion. Namely, Part One (Developing the Human Element) includes (1) A New Way of Making Sense of Ourselves and Our Relationships: Inclusion, Control, and Openness, and (2) The Basis for Personal and Professional Effectiveness: Self-Concept and Self-Esteem. Part Two (The Human Element at Work) entails (3) Teamwork: Building Compatible and Productive Teams, (4) Optimal Individual Performance: Enhancing Performance and Unblocking Creativity, (5) Concordance Decision Making: Developing Better Decisions That Everyone Supports, and (6) Redefining Leadership and Creating the Human-Element Organization. In addition to the Conclusion (The Real Bottom Line: Productive, High Self-Esteem, and Successful People and Organizations), there is an Appendix (Human Element Tools), Notes & References, and an Index.My favorite aspects included Schutz’s background about his career and life as a psychologist and consultant (combining science and the experiential). He remarks early on (pg. 12) that “In the past, I had found that to write . . . was not simply to record what I already knew; it always turned out to be a more creative experience, one in which new correlations emerged, new associations were made, and new simplifications appeared. In short, I usually had a better idea of what I had been doing . . . “ Schutz’s “Human Element Periodic Table” which he uses as a reference throughout the book is exquisite It is a chart which elegantly lays out the various dimensions of his Inclusion, Control and Openness paradigm. These dimensions underly processes by which individuals, groups and organizations develop (a brilliant table of 8 rows and 9 columns). For instance (pg. 77), the author explains that “Self-concept and self-esteem are crucial to personal and professional effectiveness . . . [when] I become more aware of the origins of my behavior . . . [I can] be effective when I choose to change. Teams, groups, and entire organizations with greater awareness of the dynamics of self-concept and self-esteem can look forward to more productive and . . . more pleasant working relationships.” Further on (PG. 130-31), he elaborates that “If we all have high self-esteem – that is if we feel both consciously and unconsciously significant, competent, and likable – then differences among us (intellectual, ethnic, stylistic, gender-related), although they may be difficult, are all conscious and are puzzles to be solved. Team members who are aware of their fears and feelings can acknowledge their differences and integrate them creatively in order to enrich the solution to problems.” Towards the end of the book (PG. 243), the author suggests that “The Human Element model offers all organizations the opportunity to change consciousness by helping people to be more self-aware.”Regrettably, since Schutz died in 2002, it seems this text was his last book and major work---just as internet was beginning to come into its own. Thus, this oeuvre does not take into account digital conditions and capabilities that were only starting to emerge. For instance, more recently, some have started to seek more direct measures of individual emotional states and indicators of actual behavior to go beyond the type of self-reporting that Schutz (and most psychologists) have relied upon in gaining further insight into human behavior (e.g., see my reviews of Zak’s “Trust” and Halpern’s “Inside the Nudge Unit”).Fortunately, Schutz’s work is so well documented/tested, explained and laid out where those who progress from here can incorporate such luminous frameworks as they continue to enhance ways to foster “the human element.”

This is the most incredible book about people, trust and the work place of all times.

Great book!

Excellent book!

Very effective to foster development within organizations, and to orient young professionals. Very helpful to deal with conflicts and establish priorities

I found this book completely helpful to know myself better and to know how the relationships work. Although my native tongue is spanish, I find it very easy and friendly to read it in english. I have answered the most of the questions about inclusion, control, openness and now I try to have a better quality of relationship every day. I understand the reactions that come from me and the different groups around me. This book helps me to be a better woman every day. Thanks Will Schutz for this gift!!!

Livre en parfait état mais en langue anglaise !

I have discovered the more I tell the truth, my life becomes less complex and troublesome. I treasure the time I had the opportunity to work with him.

Good insights with structured approach for a self reliant work-teams

C'est bien le livre que j'ai commandé. Le délai est respecté. La qualité attendue est à l'arrivée, le livre est en très bon état..