The Human Factor

I once was asked to explain the behavior of an executive.

"He's scared," I said.

That explained a lot. We can be too eager to ignore simple explanations, particularly if they pertain to emotions. After all, people in high positions aren't supposed to get emotional. Being described as a cool operator is often praise. Many regard emotions as an item to be drained from decisions, much as one might drain a swamp.

There is, however, a problem with that vision and its benefits: no matter how much you try, emotions remain.

That shouts out a point we should never forget. We are dealing with human beings out there, not boxes in a decision chart or walking job descriptions. They have dreams, fears, families, pride, and embarrassments. We miss a great deal if we treat them as machinery or projects.

The human factor has a habit of not going away.