Humaculture®
The Three Dimensions and Nine Expressions of Humaculture®
Humaculture® is a dynamic paradigm through which we can understand, form, and optimize Organizations. It is also a powerful, holistic framework in which to make ALL Organizational decisions.
Why is soil such an amazing analogy for an Organization?
Soil is the medium in which plants grow and thrive. Several indispensable processes operate within the soil. It makes nutrients available to the plants by decomposing complex or indissoluble substances. It produces nutrients through its interaction with the air. It produces substances that improve its structure, and thus increases the oxygen supply to the plant roots. It transforms some materials into substances that bind nutrients to the soil, making them available to plants but resistant to being washed out or lost. It produces antibiotic substances that control or limit the development of disease organisms.
Adapted from:
F.F. Rockwell, Editor. 10,000 Garden Questions Answered by 20 Experts. Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1959
Horticulture provides a keen metaphor through which we can better understand the nature of an Organization, its purpose, and how it attracts, engages, grows, retains, sustains, and transitions the People who work within it or interact with it. A skilled, knowledgeable horticulturist understands that success and sustainability of a garden or landscape depends on recognizing, addressing, and balancing The Three Dimensions of Horticulture™. Likewise, a Humaculturist® understands how to recognize, address, and balance the corresponding dimensions in business or other Organizations – The Three Dimensions of Humaculture®.
| Dimension | Analogy in Horticulture | Expression |
|---|---|---|
Environment | Natural Environment | Rules Natural Resources Community |
Organization | Soil | Structure Real Assets Intangible Assets |
People | Plants | Personal Characteristics Skills, Training, Education, Experiences Created Value |
Here are some ways to think about the Three Dimensions and Nine Expressions of Humaculture® and their application:
- Each Dimension is understood through its Three Expressions. The Environment is the portion of the natural (and increasingly, virtual world) available for the formation and operation of an Organization. The Environment Expressed through Rules, Natural Resources, and Community. Organizations are intentionally created from, and exist within, the Environment. Organizations are Expressed through Structures, Real Assets, and Intangible Assets. People from within the Environment become part of, or are associated with, the Organization. People are Expressed through Personal Characteristics, Skills/Training/Education/Experiences, and Created Value.
- The Nine Expressions of Humaculture® are dynamic and/or cyclical throughout the Three Dimensions of Humaculture®. Creating, designing, and maintaining a garden, farm, or landscape is a dynamic and/or cyclical process. Leading, designing, and managing an Organization is similarly a dynamic and/or cyclical process.
- The Humaculturist® develops, identifies, or clarifies the Organization’s purpose and then designs and establishes the best type of Organization and Organizational structure to carry out that purpose.
- The Humaculturist® determines the best approach to fund or capitalize the Organization from the available Natural Resources of the Environment. This could be in the form of investment, debt, sales of products and services, etc.
- The Humaculturist® identifies customers, customer needs and wants, employees, etc. from the Community, then designs appropriate products, services, and jobs.
So, Humaculture® is the art and philosophy of creating profitable, healthy Organizations, or “soil,” in which People can thrive and be abundantly productive. Humaculture® forms the basis for a systematic approach to making ALL decisions of a business or Organization in the context of the Three Dimensions of Humaculture®.
Humaculture® philosophy guides all aspects of the Humaculturist’s® work, even when engaged selectively on narrowly focused topics. The Humaculturist® always helps an Organization’s leaders, managers, and employees understand how any aspect of their role and work can be understood in the broader context of the Three Dimensions of Humaculture®, as well as how to apply the Three Dimensions to make the best, most impactful decisions.
