When we think of human capital and business capacity we often envision the hard aspects of business science and strategic management. Most of business and economic success is not in the cold hard sciences but in the soft way in which we treat each other. When we treat some different when compared to others, we are unlikely to maximize our human capital. Serious people and leaders think beyond their group to the possibilities of what could be and into supporting what we should be.
They used to call this visionary leadership and loyalty to a higher national purpose.
Two studies that are not necessarily conclusive but sort of just highlight some points.....
The study discusses how human capital has an influence on economic development. Revisiting the human capital–economic growth nexus in Africa
Another study indicates how disparity in the labor market limits economic opportunities for some people. Disparity in the Human Capital Market.
Two examples that sort of highlight the problem on a micro and on a group level:
1. The Lawyer: Lawyer was hired to investigate a tragic surgery death. He delayed the investigation to run out the clock. When questioned about it, he stated that no one cares about those people, insinuated she and everyone part of a religion was dangerous, no one cares about black people around here, and denigrated the dead and her children. Political, religious, and extremism warped that person's soul and likely reflects the values of their firm and social networks.
2. Hypothetical Targeting: Someone who worked with law enforcement wanted something and made up a hate narrative using race and religion as a dividing point among a large group of homogeneous bullies. This group went down a line of aggressive behaviors in full view of public officials. Appeared coordinated and well practiced. Others came forward with similar complaints.
These are two different types of cases. In the first case, it is the perception that one has the right to do what they want as long as its against certain minorities (White, Black, Muslim, Jewish, Asian, Hispanic, any...) and in the other case they can misuse entrusted authority for that end. Both are connected to the essential concept that the decision makers are more tied to their social, racial, and religious identities than the needs of the nation.
In both cases the hate they feel for others is transferrable. The young lawyer will likely grow up to be a person who will do anything for money and will sell out their soul to the highest bidder. The second example, corruption mixed with extremism will continue to create victims. They will continue because their environment normalized those behaviors as preferred methods of treating others.
I'm an advocate for fair treatment. I envision that as a universal democracy and broad based capitalism that judges and treats their fellow Americans based on merit and not any racial or religious difference. This value appears to be the most logical and in alignment with our trajectory of national growth and stated social contracts/artifacts.
We should work to do to ensure that the fundamentals of human capital are present and supported. Without treating every American fairly and with universal respect we won't be able to maximize that human capital. People learn from the unwritten codes and values more than they do from the written ones. This is why I believe in the wisdom that comes from generations of philosophers and religious leaders that states hate is a dark disease in any society and robs us from our true potential as a nation and as a people. Broadly speaking.
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