People Operations is not a subset of human resources, but rather, an all-encompassing department that accounts for human resources as well. The reality is that companies also need mechanical processes to stay legally compliant. Breathing life is what makes following those processes a lot more engaging.

Companies need to abandon the traditional thinking of human resources and start viewing employees as human beings—adding the word ‘resources’ downplays the value of an employee.

According to a report by the engagement Institute, employee disengagement costs U.S. companies up to $550 billion annually. This cost comes from many things that companies cannot afford: absenteeism, lowered productivity, and burnout, just to name a few. 

For a...