Organizations exist to serve humans and humanity, not the other way around.
Inside organizations are humans. We sometimes call them employees or workers (or team members or associates or partners or…)
Outside organizations are humans. We sometimes call them customers or clients (or partners or guests or donors or…)
There are other humans outside of organizations that the organization also serves. These are variously called suppliers, investors, community members, and that most-dreadful of catch-all euphemisms: stakeholders.
All of these humans have needs, aspirations, fears, and motivations. Some are distinct and unique, and most are shared, common, and universal.
When organizations focus on addressing the physical, psychological, social, and emotional needs of the humans they serve–inside and the outside–they increase the likelihood that both the organization and all those humans will achieve what they want to achieve, contribute what they want to contribute, and become what they want to become.
