The Negative & Positive Sides of Human Capital

Over the past few weeks we have touched on the significance of building capital (resources) and the understanding that the notion of capital (resources/value) must exceed the limited definition of only relating to financial capital. We began with a discussion on capitalism, WIIFM – What’s In It For Me, spiritual, cultural and financial capital. This week’s show begins the conversation about the significance of human capital. I’ve heard it stated that more than 60% of the people are working jobs that are not a fit for them or jobs in which they dislike. While time-life is still consumed, and in a day and age where the average worker, once they begin their career track, is projected to change careers more than five times over the course of his or her working life, in an increasingly competitive marketplace where employers are fighting over an ever-decreasing workforce, and in an economic environment of mass lay-offs, downsizing, organizational mergers, and outsourcing—where employees seemingly have little reason to feel a sense of security in their job, it is imperative to take a look at human capital. Simply stated, human capital means people. The more experience, their knowledge base will increase, as will their endowment of human capital. Education, training, and health are the most important investments in human capital. That is because they raise earnings, improve health, or add to a person’s good habits over much of his lifetime. One aim is to keep more of us out of the industrialized prison complex system that will make use of your labor as their human capital.What is necessary? What skills and attitudes are important? How will we invest in ourselves and how can it be linked internally to our calling? Have we thought of our purpose, passion, gifts, and talents and how they might fit our calling. What will we invoke? Join my co-host, Ty Grey-EL and me as we explore some of the work that is needed and the work of the Empowerment Center.