Once upon a time…
Many tales begin with those words… And reality too… sometimes.
Once upon a time, the leaders of a young democracy decided to include a new indicator amongst the many grading that classify their country: Raw National Happiness. This takes place in Bhutan, a small emerging country belonging to the same class as Cambodia in terms of Human Development (HDI) … a long way from the Asian El Dorado!
Would it be possible to implement the same at company level? Should we not consider other criteria than those traditionally in place? Like happiness for instance?
The theme of this 20th Congress may seem paradoxical at a time when we are all undergoing an economic slowdown with perspectives of deterioration for our working conditions. To the contrary, the moment seems perfect to think about “happiness and management” during these three days.
We are convinced that the happiness of individuals at work – thus in their private lives, as the two converge – does not necessarily result from the first criteria that come to mind: high salary, flattering titles, exterior signs of success, etc. The sources of happiness may be unearthed elsewhere, and this is what we aim to do by identifying the action levers relevant for HRD and people managers.
The opportunity of enjoying the presence of company directors and scientists will enable us to enlarge our field of reflection and should allow each one of us to discover new avenues to counter the bleak climate settling down on us.
What better than a 20th congress to explore a theme that not falls under the scope of competence of HR but that touches it personally, like everyone else: how can we contribute to the happiness of others without questioning and taking action on our own happiness?
I hope that, by the end of this 20th Congress, we will all be persuaded that being a HRD is also being a DRH: Developer of Resources towards Happiness!
CHRISTINE THIRAN
President of the 20th mRH Congress
Director of Human Resources and Communication at the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc.
