At Growth By Design, we believe intentional choices lead to impactful growth, whether you’re shaping a thriving organization or a meaningful life. Here, we provide the practical information, tools, and frameworks to get you there. Today, we explore the benefits of of putting your team at the center of your organization – what that means and what you seek to gain from a people-centric organization.

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Are You Built For the Best Talent?

The talent pool has changed. Increasingly, people aren’t just looking for a job – they’re looking for meaning, growth, and a place where their voice matters. The companies that get this right aren’t just winning the “best place to work” awards – they’re outpacing their competitors in innovation, retention, and growth.

Let’s be honest: for years, “putting people first” was a slogan, not a strategy. But the data is clear – organizations that prioritize employee empowerment and well-being see real business results. According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace report, companies with highly engaged employees are 23% more profitable and 18% more productive than their peers. And a recent Deloitte study found that 94% of executives believe a distinct workplace culture is crucial to business success.

If your organization is still treating people as cogs in a machine, you’re leaving growth on the table.

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“The best organizations aren’t afraid of bad news. They create environments where people feel safe to share it—because that’s how you get better.“

– Amy Edmondson

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People-Centricity Drives Growth

This isn’t just about making people happy – it’s about unlocking performance. 2024 research from McKinsey found that organizations with empowered employees are 1.5 times more likely to outperform their peers financially. And a 2025 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report showed that companies with strong learning cultures have 30-50% higher retention rates.

When people feel valued and trusted, they bring their best ideas forward. They collaborate more, innovate faster, and stick around longer. In a world where the cost of replacing a single employee can be up to two times their annual salary, that’s a growth lever you can’t afford to ignore.

People-Centric Organization In Action

But what does it actually look like to design a people-centric organization? And how can you, as a leader, start making the shift—today?

Spoiler: It requires more than ping-pong tables and free snacks.

People-centric design means building your organization around the strengths, aspirations, and well-being of your people. A People-Centric Organization has five core pillars that set them apart:

• Transparent communication: Leadership shares the “why” behind decisions, not just the “what.”
• Empowered teams: Decision-making is pushed as close to the front lines as possible. Employees are trusted to solve problems, not just follow orders.
• Skill-based roles: People are placed (and promoted) based on what they can do—not just what their job title says.
• Continuous learning: The best organizations invest in upskilling and reskilling, creating a culture where growth is expected.
• Psychological safety: Employees feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of retribution.

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“Leaders need to shift from a ‘know-it-all’ to a ‘learn-it-all’ culture.”

– Satya Nadella

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Why Most Leaders Miss the Mark

I haven’t worked with a single leader that doesn’t understand the value of their employees. In fact, most believe they are putting their people first. Here’s where things get tricky: many leaders want to empower their team, but aren’t willing to give up control. They launch “empowerment initiatives” but still require sign-off for every decision. They talk about growth, but don’t invest in learning. The result? Frustrated employees and stalled progress.

Your First Steps Toward People-Centricity

If you want to build a truly people-centric organization, it’s on you to shift your mindset and get out of your own way. Building a people-centric organization is a journey that begins with one decision, one conversation, one empowered team at a time. Here are a few steps you can do today, to begin the transformation into a people-centric organization.

So friends, if you want to attract, retain, and unleash the best talent, start by designing around your people – not just your products or processes.

Onward and upward!
Katie