I’ve written about how customers are people not invoices, employees are not expenses, and employees are people not resources. Recently Alan Dayley ranted on the scrumdevelopment list about this same topic, and Johanna Rothman wrote an excellent response.
Long story short, words matter. And they matter a lot.
Since we’re on the topic of resources let’s take a look at a few definitions.
A resource is any physical or virtual entity of limited availability, or anything used to help one earn a living. In most cases, commercial or even ethic factors require resource allocation through resource management. – Wikipedia
A source of supply or support: an available means —usually used in plural; a natural source of wealth or revenue —often used in plural; a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life; computable wealth —usually used in plural; a source of information or expertise. – Merriam-Webster
While people have a finite capacity in terms of the number of hours they can work on a given task, I don’t think that’s nearly enough to take the humanity away from them by calling them resources. But thanks to Frederick Taylor and his work in the 1880s and 1890s we have this label stuck into our business vocabulary.
Time for a Change
Did I just write 1880s and 1890s? What year is this now? What century are we in? WTF? How are we still stuck with this?
It’s seriously time for a change.
I challenge everyone to stop referring to people as resources. And why? Because words matter. When we use dehumanizing words to describe those we work with we change our perception of them. My computer is a resource. Sure I bought a hard backpack to protect it but I don’t care about it’s feelings or desire to be better, because it doesn’t have any or care to. But not true of people.
And for those reading this thinking what a mushy bunch of crap I’m writing, or those running your business by a spreadsheet, how do you think those working with you feel about you? Are they willing to help you or do they work to ensure that you can’t do damage to them? What do they say when you aren’t around? What do you say?
Words matter my friends. So choose your words wisely.
And You?
What do you think? Do words matter, or am I blowing this out of proportion?
Other Posts That Might Interest You
