Managers, from the senior level down to the front line leaders, often have the misconception that to manage effectively, neither they nor their employees can actually show their human side at work.

These managers believe that to allow personality

, humor and humility gives away too much of their power, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Maybe back in the command and control era of management, when employees clocked in and clocked out and were expected to repeatedly perform routine tasks, this type of emotionless management style may have worked. But the workplace is different now. Today, we call on every employee to use their creativity and innovation to help companies compete on a global level. And to create an environment where that will happen, the command and control management style doesn’t work. Why? Because you can’t demand motivation or inspiration. Instead, you have to develop an atmosphere where that behavior is fostered—and then expected.

Employees must know that they can suggest new ideas without those ideas being immediately shot down. They must be encouraged to think outside the box and go beyond their job descriptions to help their companies compete in a knowledge-based economy. Creating this type of work environment requires a sense of humanity in the workplace.

It’s a common belief that money is the great motivator. But the best performers are motivated intrinsically by a sense of pride in their accomplishments or by a desire to please. The human element cannot be ignored, and some of the most successful companies have recognized and capitalized on this.

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