Finding “good humans” to work with

I am lucky to work with inspirational leaders. Every day I am surrounded by great people. I truly believe that people have a huge impact on your life and I am personally recharged by being in the company of energizing people. American entrepreneur Jim Rohn says that “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” and this really makes me think that you need to seriously consider who the people are who you “let into your circle”.

My CEO constantly says two things: Firstly “work with people that you like, trust and respect” and secondly “always aim to be a good human”. The first one for me is easy. As I gain experience and wisdom in the workplace, I simply don’t choose to spend time with people who I can’t respect. For me these are people who seek conflict, who are inconsistent in their delivery and who are negative influences. I work hard to create distance in my life from those people. On the second one, I don’t think anyone ever sets out in their day to be a bad human but I do think that in the workplace we can sometimes be pulled into things that perhaps detract us from just being a good human and doing the right thing. That may mean cutting through some administrative red tape that impacts an individual, being empathetic to a personal circumstance that may require additional support or equally, having that hard conversation when appropriate to ensure expectations are aligned and matched.

So, who are these good humans and how do we find them in the workplace? Remember that good doesn’t always equal nice and in my opinion good humans are really those who inspire you to be better, empower you to move forward and make you feel good to be around. For me those people are also productive people – whether they are generating ideas or getting stuff done. I like to learn from and be around different people; people who engage in healthy debate but provide an alternative perspective to mine. Finding them can sometimes be easy, and other times harder. Like attracts like so if you are positive and motivating, you should find yourself surrounded by similar people. Equally if you are negative and unhappy you may find yourself caught up in that trap. I also think luck has something to do with it and finding yourself in an environment with good humans should be appreciated.  

I feel as though I have been a good human when I make the team around me have a better day; when someone tells me that an idea I shared with them has had an impact on them; when I am able to make a business decision that improves someone’s personal situation; when I have moved forward a critical task that helps more than just me or when I have been able to have a coffee catch up that provided some key support to someone.

Entrepreneur Paul Hawken says, “Being a good human is good business” but isn’t being a good human just good everything? I think so.

Nikki Benfield is an independent marketing consultant with VentureWeb (as well as trying to be a good human!) currently working at EY. Like what you read? Email Nikki here.