Published by Ave Maria University
Vol. 5 | February 2025
Or ga n i z at i o na l Health & In d i v i d u a l D ig n i ty Mary Hunt, Ph.D. (c)
W
e’ve all heard the platitude “people over profits.” However, this assertion can imply a misplaced perception that there is a problem with profits, pitting profits as contrary to the value of people. A less pithy, but perhaps more accurate corollary is “profits in service of people.” Fundamentally, both should be true for every good organization, but often it can be challenging to consistently take the big and small actions needed to make care for people compatible with healthy profitability. Let’s look at the relationship challenges of workers and leaders and
explore some beliefs and practices that make this integral aspect of business a reality. Many leaders describe their organizations as a “family.” This statement may be wellintentioned, encouraging employees to care for one another like family, but it can also be problematic in that it may diminish time and attention from the actual family, what the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the true “original cell of social life.” Moreover, it calls for a misplaced loyalty on the part of workers that is often one-sided when the business experiences tough