Why People Power Drives Real Business Growth

Jan de Vries · 2026-03-24

By Andrew Chancellor, CEO of Wellbeing International Foundation. He's spent his career in banking, executive recruitment, and nearly a decade leading in bioscience. His approach? Putting people at the heart of science-driven healthcare. Let's be honest. Every business conversation these days seems to be about tech. AI, automation, digital transformation—it's everywhere. And sure, the potential is massive. But here's the thing we're starting to miss in all that noise: the power of people. Innovation can't exist without them. Companies trying to grow without a human focus at their core? They're setting themselves up for a hard fall. ### Why Tech Alone Isn't Enough Technology needs people. That's the simple truth many businesses forget in their rush to transform. AI and automation are incredible tools for boosting efficiency. But that's all they are—tools. The idea that they can work entirely on their own, meeting all a business's needs? The reality looks different. You need people to not just use these technologies, but to unlock their full potential. Take people out of the equation, and the tech will miss the mark every time. Adopt a human-centred approach, though? That's when you see real progress. ### Where People Make The Difference Let's break it down. Think about innovation. Tech and innovation go together, right? But you need human imagination to bridge that gap. Creativity only flourishes where employees feel safe to question things, test ideas, and look at problems from new angles. When teams work under rigid rules or constant pressure to conform, curiosity dies. Or at least, the willingness to speak up about it does. Without that confidence and freedom, businesses lose the energy and ingenuity that drives real change. Then there's efficiency. Yes, automation has transformed processes. But even automation depends on people. You need informed, experienced team members who can spot inefficiencies and see opportunities for improvement. Without them, you'll never know where to introduce the right tech. Position AI as competition, and employees feel threatened. They become reluctant to suggest the very improvements that could help everyone. Business transformation is another area. It's usually driven by tech change, but it needs people to support it. When companies focus on inclusion, support, and education during a transformation, employees become advocates. Not reluctant followers complaining about every new system. And scaling? We've all heard that tech is the solution for growth without people. But we're also hearing more and more stories about how that approach fails. The best way to use tech for growth is to use it to support your people. Enhance individual performance. Increase team capabilities. The goal is to help them do more, not to make them fear for their jobs. When employees feel secure, they're way more willing to contribute ideas and support the company's growth. ### The Core Principle At its heart, human-centred growth is about connection. If you want committed teams, you have to genuinely engage with your employees. It's that simple, and that challenging. Here’s a quick thought to wrap up: > “Tools amplify effort, but people determine direction. A company that forgets which one is the compass is already lost.” So, what does this mean for you? Don't get so dazzled by the latest tech that you overlook your team's potential. Listen to them. Empower them. The most advanced algorithm still can't replace a motivated human with a great idea. Your business's real secret weapon isn't in the cloud—it's in the room with you.