The Human Workplace: People-Centred Organizational Development

You may be confused about this book’s title, since surely humans are the core of the workplace, as the machines have not yet fully taken over! Yet, it is quite prescient, as far too many companies tend to forget they benefit from an engaged, focussed and cooperative people-centric organization and that this structure needs developing just like any other resource. Basic maintenance and renewal in other words.Many companies do a reasonable job at developing their employees (but many need help here too!), but they are less attentive to the position of these employees and the structure, culture and processes that they inhabit. A bit of the equation can be missing, and this book will help fill in any missing links and optimise existing structures. It is a practical book, designed for doing, although of course you get a good amount of theory and practical real-world research data too, accompanying the advice, case studies and practitioner interviews that fill this deceptively small but powerful book.The changes need not be that drastic or costly either. A possible refocus of thought can be sufficient, benefitting from design thinking to optimise the structure (a ‘tune-up’ for the business). The book will see change for both individual, team, department and organisation-at-large, oiling the connections and streamlining processes. Rest assured, it should not be a traumatic, controversial or courageous process. Quite the reverse, it might start to fall into place as things proceed. The book is aimed more towards the human resources professional, but it would not hurt other senior operational executives to cast an eye over it and understand the value of truly ‘seeing the bigger picture’. After all, it should be in everybody’s interest to have the corporate machine running at peak operational efficiency, shouldn’t it? If you let it, the book will have you thinking outside of the HR-mandated function.A refreshing read, aided by clear, accessible text that will surely grab your attention. Where change is needed, it can be a great companion, and for those companies that believe they already have everything running well it can be a great checklist and verification aid. Just in case something could still be refined, as is quite likely as the people-centric organization shouldn’t be cast in concrete in any case.

There is so much talk of jobs being replaced by computers due to advances in technology, but we will always require a human element in business, so it's nice to find literature that still focuses on the human aspect of employment. This book provides great tools to help build effective organizations, and highly efficient workers. Excellent read.

Great book on how to build more human-centered organisations, so much needed in today's world. I really liked the practical side of the book, including case studies of companies already leading the way in human workplace.

There will never be a more accessible, wide-ranging and pragmatic book on de-toxifying your workplace than this from Andy Swann.A really easy read, but not simplistic. An engaging tone but not using hyperbole or trendy fads. A sensible approach but full of inspirational elements.If you think "this place could be better" whether you're the founder, leader or any part of the enterprise, you could take this book, set off a series of conversations and experiments and make your workplace a more human one.

Possibly the definitive book on creating a human-centred workplace. As a HR professional with 20 years experience this book is a game changer and highly recommended for anyone wondering how to move beyond employee engagement in order to create truly great fulfiling places to work.