Putting “Human” into Human Resource Management

This article stresses the importance of studying how the employee functions in the organizational setting in which he/she works. The relationship of organizational climate to performance is described by reviewing some of the research in this area. Human resource management means providing an organizational climate that will motivate the employee to reach his/her highest potential of effectiveness. It is treating employees as human beings, as persons with feelings, aspirations and pride. A philosophy of human resource management is presented based on the counseling philosophy of Carl Rogers, that each person has inner resources to grow and become a fully functioning person. Suggestions are made about the leadership style necessary to produce an organizational climate that will unleash the tremendous potential within employees. Participative management and other means of involving employees are encouraged as human resource management endeavors. Assessment specialists and other personnelists are challenged to assist managers and personnel directors in developing a truly people oriented, participatory, human organizational climate. “Human” human resource management means greater productivity.