In any organization, people are at the heart of all activities. A quality management system is truly effective only when all employees—from leadership to frontline staff—clearly understand their roles, are empowered, and trusted to proactively contribute. This is the core of the principle “People’s Involvement” – one of the seven fundamental principles of the ISO 9001 standard.
1. What is the “People’s Involvement” principle?
This principle affirms that:
"Better results are achieved when all employees at every level are committed, share responsibility, are empowered, and trusted to contribute to the organization’s goals."
It is not just about “participation” but about responsible proactivity, formed from a corporate culture that values:
Sharing information
Empowering actions
Mutual trust
2. Why are sharing, empowerment, and trust important?
🔹 Sharing provides clear direction
When leaders share strategies, goals, and transparent information, employees understand “where they stand” and “their role.”
🔹 Empowerment drives action
When employees are granted decision-making authority within their work scope, they feel responsible and are willing to improve for better results.
🔹 Trust builds a strong foundation
An environment where employees feel trusted helps foster a positive culture that encourages innovation and initiative.
3. What should businesses do to promote this principle?
Build a culture of sharing
Provide timely, transparent information about operations, direction, and achievements.
Encourage two-way communication between leadership and employees.
Organize team meetings, internal forums, and idea-sharing events.
Empower clearly and with control
Delegate authority based on competence and position, ensuring everyone understands their scope and rights.
Trust employees with real tasks instead of tightly controlling every step.
Create opportunities for employees to learn, fail safely, and grow.
Nurture trust
Trust in employees’ competence and goodwill.
Avoid blame; instead, work together to find solutions when problems arise.
Timely recognition and rewards to reinforce trust and motivation.
4. Practical benefits for the organization
Increased productivity and work efficiency due to proactive and responsible employees.
More improvement initiatives, fewer errors, optimized processes.
Enhanced internal engagement, reduced turnover, and improved employer branding.
Sustainable development and flexibility in adapting to changes thanks to a committed and proactive workforce.
5. Conclusion
The “People’s Involvement” principle is not merely about encouraging employees to participate – it is about truly empowering them, sharing transparently, and deeply trusting each individual in the organization. When this happens, everyone works not only out of responsibility but also from trust and shared goals.
