This morning, I had an insightful discussion with Heather House, Kerry Brown, Francisco (Paco) Farias, and Rusty Gaillard as part of a Hacking HR conference. The conversation revolved around the philosophy and practicality of adopting a “people-first” approach within organisations. We explored various topics, from defining what it means to be a “people-first” organisation to the intricacies of persuading business leaders to adopt this approach.

Kerry Brown brought a wealth of experience, having worked in major corporations like SAP and Coca-Cola. She led organisational change on a global scale and emphasised that human resources are not just a part of the equation but the equation itself. According to her, “people are it” for organisations. Without people showing up differently and performing their jobs, the investment and effort put into transforming processes and incorporating new technologies would be in vain.

Heather House contributed a unique perspective from her role as Chief Human Resource Officer for a ministry focused on poverty alleviation. Heather sees employees as the “heart of the business.” She discussed the importance of asking “how” questions rather than merely yes/no questions when influencing leaders. She also stressed the necessity of understanding the specific business operations one wants to impact with people-focused initiatives. Heather spoke of the need to engage stakeholders across different levels, ensuring that the strategy aligns with the business’s overall goals.

Paco discussed his experience as a consultant advising companies on culture and people practices, particularly during scaling phases. Paco cautioned against a “hyper people-first” approach that might lead to a sense of entitlement among employees. He highlighted the need for balance, advocating for taking care of employees without making them feel that nobody else matters. He also mentioned the sensitivities in giving direct feedback, especially from former employees, to help leaders reality-check their styles.

From my end, I shared my viewpoint that a “people-first” approach means creating an environment where employees feel they belong, are engaged, developed, autonomous, and can contribute significantly. I spoke about the advantages of remote work in fostering effective global collaboration. I stressed the importance of cross-departmental partnerships to identify barriers and build a compelling case for people-focused strategies. Moreover, I recommended starting with smaller pilot programs if budgetary constraints exist rather than implementing sweeping changes simultaneously.

The overarching theme of our discussion was that a “people-first” approach isn’t merely a nice-to-have but a strategic imperative that has tangible benefits for business outcomes, such as engagement, retention, and overall performance.

Thank you Rusty 👏👏👏

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