To many managers, possibly even leaders, people are just numbers and data and costs. Until you are forced to come to the realization that they are... people. Recently we learned how doctors are now realizing that fact.
Just including a photo? Let's look at the study.
In the study, 15 radiologists at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem reviewed computed tomography images along with a photograph of the patient. Months later they reviewed the same CT scan but without a photo. A control group of radiologists also twice-reviewed CT scans with no photographs at all. About 300 patients participated in the study.
In the most eye-popping result, the absence of a photograph was associated with an 80% drop in so-called incidental findings, such as when a search for kidney stones turns up a tumor. Incidental findings are often life-saving because they discover pre-symptomatic problems, and the study suggests that radiologists look more carefully for them when a patient photograph is attached.
Of course there is the other side of the story, the potential loss of objectivity.
Others argue that anonymity can be an advantage and point to studies showing bias in medical treatment. "Bringing a human face to medicine is always good. Bringing stereotyping and bias is dangerous," says Tom Delbanco, a Harvard University professor of medicine, who regards the Turner study "with ambivalence."
The human face is powerful.
But of course. Because people are... people. They are unique, with a pair of hands that some people forget are attached to a brain with knowledge, experience, creativity, and ideas. And that's a lesson for all of us in the business world as well. You may recall a recent Examples of Excellence that showed a training matrix and also a training level board. Notice the photos of the associates? Here's a closer look:
It's visually obvious that Andy is a real person, not just a cost on a P&L. When CEO's of the Detroit 3, of Delta, and basically any other major company talk about reducing tens of thousands of "heads" have they actually seen the heads?
What would happen if they had to sign off on a photo collage of all the people they were whacking, instead of a simple budget request for some termination dollars? Would their decision be any different? Perhaps not with the likes of the Detroit 3 CEO's, but I bet it might be for many others.
Try it out. When you see generic terms like "heads" and even "people"... ask to see them. Attach photos. Better yet, go to the gemba and talk to them. You might just make a different decision.