Unleashing the Power of Human Leadership: A Magnetic Force for Talent

Martin Venegas, Director of Manufacturing, The Hershey Company

In the digital age, where automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping industries at lightning speed, the value of human leadership might seem overshadowed. However,  organizations are discovering that the key to attracting and retaining the best talent lies in embracing the essence of humanity within their leaders; Leaders that can provide and generate meaningful work, and that fosters safe places to work and grow for a very dynamic and diverse workforce, with different profiles, backgrounds, ideas, objectives, ideals, etc… but with a very common ground: at the end, we are all just humans.

After the pandemic, people realized that we, humans, are so fragile and are not willing to spend our time, our lives, in a workplace just to get the paycheck at the end of the day. People want, now more than ever, to have a purpose on what they do, and to be seen and recognized as individuals.

“I want to spend more time with my kids,” “I want flexibility to work from home,” “I want more time for myself,” “I want to be recognized in a meaningful way.” 

We have all heard these phrases that reflect a new era where people are asking organizations to generate better employee experiences where personal interests are taken into consideration.

Indistinctly, teams lead on a face-to-face environment, or at the distance through technology, are exposed to some basic elements that can make a big difference in their employee experience. These are some of the key elements of a human leadership:

The Human Touch – By having the ability to be vulnerable, to listen, empathize, connect at a personal level and create meaningful relationships with team members, Human Leaders fill the gap between the cold efficiency of automation, and the warm heart of an organization.

"Human Leaders help their teams to be resilient in the face of adversity, to quickly adapt, increase agility, unlearn stablished ways of working, and learn new ways of doing things."

Empowering and Inspiring – Human Leaders foster a culture of trust, collaboration, open and transparent communication. They create a psychological safe environment where individuals feel cared for, valued, inspired, and encouraged to innovate.

Nurturing Growth – Nurturing personal and professional growth by investing in employee’s development, providing mentorship, training, and opportunities for recognition and advancement. This also demonstrates a commitment to their long-term success and well-being.

Adaptability – In a world of accelerated change, the ability to respond to it has emerged as the strongest predictor of success. Human Leaders help their teams to be resilient in the face of adversity, to quickly adapt, increase agility, unlearn stablished ways of working, and learn new ways of doing things.

Diversity and inclusion – Human Leaders recognize the value on everyone, they build diverse teams, and ask each member to bring their unique perspectives improving decision-making processes and creating innovative solutions.

Organizations that embrace human leadership practices become magnets for top talent. In today’s competitive job market, employees seek more than just a paycheck. They look for an environment that recognizes and appreciates their individuality, provides opportunity for continuous and meaningful growth, and fosters a sense of purpose. When potential candidates witness the presence of Human Leadership within an organization, they are drawn to it, eager to contribute and to be part of something bigger.

While technology continues to revolutionize the way we live and work, the essence of humanity remains irreplaceable. Human Leadership is not something of the past, but an essential element for the present and future of organizations. By embracing the power of human connection, empathy and inspiration, leaders can unleash the full potential of their teams to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success.