the mathews partnership and The Human Element
Much of our work in the mathews partnership involves the work of Will Schutz. His contribution to the understanding and resolution of organisational problems is legendary, spanning nearly five decades and has culminated in the approach that he calls The Human Element . We work with our colleagues in The Human Element network around the world to help people to make better decisions about how to get more effectively from where they are now to where they want to be as individuals and organisations
“The first step to solving organisational and leadership problems is self-understanding”
Will Schutz “The Human Element”
The Human Element arose out of the earlier work of Will Schutz on the FIRO-B questionnaire and more generally his FIRO theory of personality. Experience in many organisations and with thousands of individuals shows it to be much bigger than simply a descriptor of personality, good though it undoubtedly is for such purposes.
In addressing our self-esteem in the way in which it does, it has dramatic impact in many areas and provides the means by which we can maximise both individual and team potential in a lasting way.
The approach is based on the following premises:
• The first step to solving organisational and Leadership problems is self-understanding.
• The model for understanding individual and team potential assumes three dimensions. At the level of behaviour these are called inclusion, control and openness.
• Corresponding to these behaviours are three feelings - significance, competence, and likeability.
• Self-esteem is defined by applying these dimensions to the self, i.e. Aliveness (self-inclusion), Self-determination (self-control), Self-awareness, Self-significance, Self-competence and Self-like.
When individuals feel high self-esteem they are aware of themselves, they function optimally and are capable of quality teamwork.