HR guru Dave Ulrich told a London audience on Tuesday that HR should seek to build the “abundant organisation”, which offers members of its workforce the opportunity to meet their individual needs. 

An abundant organisation reflects competence, commitment and contribution, Ulrich said.

To ensure contribution from its workforce, the organisation must meet their needs for achievement, affiliation or nurturing. One specific need tends to dominate people’s needs at work, Ulrich said. The four most prevalent needs are a love of ideas, winning or achievement, relationships and helping others win.

To meet those needs, working for a particular organisation must help employees to answer the following questions: who am I, where am I going, am I overcoming hard things, who do I travel with, how do I get a sense of meaning and how do I experience delight. 

When employees can answer such questions, “we can begin to make people feel they are contributing”, Ulrich said.  “A contributing organisation is one that is abundant.”

* To receive one of the last free copies of Dave Ulrich’s latest book, “The HR Value Proposition,” please send an email with “Ulrich book offer” in the subject line to [email protected]