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Human Resources or Human Sources?



🤔​ Have you noticed how casually we refer to humans in our organizations as 'resources'?


😱​ In the last few years, I notice myself getting increasingly bothered by it. I know it does for many others as well.


💥​ The word 'resource' means a stock or supply of an asset that can be drawn on in order to function effectively.

👉​ It is an effective term when used for time, energy, wealth, information, expertise, minerals, water, crude oil etc. etc.

👉​ A resource has limits.

👉​ It can be depleted, used up, run dry, or fizzle out.

👉​ So far, when a resource is depleted, we just find a way to replace it with another resource.


So what happens when we refer to a human in our organizations as a 'resource'❓

How do we see them❓

What do we value in them❓

How do we treat them❓


💫​ What if, instead, we thought of the humans in our organizations as a "source"?

👉 A place from which something originates and flows.

👉 A regenerative reservoir of imagination, creativity, connection, empathy, and wisdom.


📍 What becomes possible when a 'resource' is reframed as a 'source'❓

📍 What do you see now❓

📍 What do you value in them now❓

📍 How would you treat them now❓


🤔 Perhaps it is time to reframe all resources as sources?


🫶​ I invite you to a generative exchange on this topic.


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