Why don’t businesses prioritise human competencies?
This is a question I get asked loads — on stage, during interviews, and even over coffee with friends.
Earlier this week I was chatting with Helen Wada on her podcast, and this question popped up again:
It’s a great question. And although the answer is layered, two things stand out to me.
Outdated paradigms are holding us back.
The world has moved forward, but so many companies are stuck in old ways of thinking: profit first, people second.
This mindset treats people as cogs in a machine designed to churn out as much profit as possible.
But here’s the thing: when companies put people first, everything changes. Employees are 3.2x more likely to stay.
Creativity and innovation thrive when trust and openness grow (I don‘t know about you, but I’m MUCH more creative when I’m happy and engaged).
And the results speak for themselves—research shows companies rooted in human values outperform the S&P 500 by 211%!
It’s not just about doing the “right thing”—it’s about creating a competitive advantage. I like to call this a ReturnOnHumanity.
We’re chasing short-term wins instead of long-term success.
Too often, leaders are stuck focusing on immediate results. But real success asks deeper questions:
Why am I in business?
What does success really look like?
What value am I adding to people and the world?
Are we building something that lasts months, years—or lifetimes?
Am I focused on stakeholders or just shareholders?
Because at the end of the day, if success doesn’t feel successful, maybe it’s time to rethink.
One thing is certain. When businesses align with human values, the returns are extraordinary—for people, for profits, and for the planet.
So with that in mind, I would really love to know what you all think:
Why do you think more companies aren’t prioritising a focus on human competencies in business—the ultimate power skills?
Drop me a note, I’d love to hear from you.
In the mean time, have a wonderful weekend. And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the US.
