The Human Element

What The Human Element does

The Human Element is a privately-held organizational development methodology operated by Business Consultants, Inc. (BCon), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is grounded in Dr. Will Schutz's FIRO Theory (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation) and is delivered through structured experiential learning programs combined with psychometric assessment instruments. The methodology is organized into a two-part curriculum — Cornerstone (Part 1, focused on self-exploration) and Organizational Solutions (Part 2, focused on problem solving and decision making) — and is supported by a portfolio of diagnostic instruments, team-building processes, and leadership interventions targeting accountability, openness, self-regard, job fit, decision making, personal development, and productivity.

The company's core technology is the methodology itself rather than a software platform: there are no APIs, mobile apps, or AI components disclosed. Delivery is performed exclusively by a global network of Licensed Human Element Practitioners (LHEPs) spanning 15+ countries and 13+ languages, with the parent company maintaining wholly-owned subsidiaries across Japan, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. The methodology's intellectual property is protected through registered trademarks on "The Human Element (THE)," "Licensed Human Element Practitioner (LHEP)," and "Cornerstone."

Revenue is generated through three streams: program delivery fees (workshops delivered by LHEPs to enterprises and individuals, online and face-to-face), practitioner licensing and certification fees, and subscription-style diagnostic services that produce individual and organizational reports from psychometric instruments. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The flagship publicly documented engagement is a year-long leadership development program with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which cited a $4.6M revenue increase and a 65% promotion rate among participants as outcomes.

Name

The Human Element

Legal name

Business Consultants, Inc.

Website

https://thehumanelement.bconglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Human Element, operated by Tokyo-based Business Consultants, Inc., is a FIRO Theory-based organizational development methodology delivered via a global network of Licensed Human Element Practitioners serving enterprise leadership development, culture change, and team effectiveness needs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organizational Development Services

akta.pro primary industry

HR Strategy & Operating Model Design (BPACAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Personality & Behavioral Assessments (BPACAMAC), Emotional Intelligence, Motivation & Culture-Fit Assessments (BPACAMAI), Employee Engagement, Surveys & EX (BPACAPAJ), Human Resources & Talent Development (EDAGANAB)

Keywords

• Organizational development
• Leadership development
• Team building
• Culture transformation
• Psychometric assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Program Delivery Fees: Revenue generated from delivering The Human Element workshops and programs to organizations and individuals. Programs are delivered by Licensed Human Element Practitioners either face-to-face or online.
2. Practitioner Licensing: Revenue from licensing The Human Element methodology and materials to certified practitioners. LHEP licensees pay for certification training and receive access to program materials, delivery rights, and ongoing support.
3. Diagnostic Services: BCon provides diagnostic services using psychometric instruments that statistically analyze participant responses and generate individual and organizational reports.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Human Element is a holistic organizational development methodology based on FIRO Theory (developed by Dr. Will Schutz) that combines psychometric assessment instruments with experiential learning programs to improve interpersonal effectiveness and organizational performance. The methodology is delivered through a global network of Licensed Human Element Practitioners (LHEPs) to individuals, teams, and enterprise clients via workshops, certification programs, and customized organizational interventions.

Product overview

The Human Element is a unified methodology platform comprising multiple training programs and certification tracks. The core offering is The Human Element Program, which is structured into two main modules: Cornerstone (Part 1, exploring the self) and Organizational Solutions (Part 2, problem solving and decision making). Supporting the core program is the Licensed Human Element Practitioner (LHEP) certification program, which trains external consultants and coaches to deliver the methodology. The suite also includes psychometric instruments for assessment, team-building and leadership processes, and periodic events such as the International Update & Encounter. All offerings work together to address interpersonal issues, maximize individual/team/organizational potential, and create sustainable organizational change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Human Element (THE): Holistic and comprehensive methodology for improving the way people work together, leading to better individual, team, and organizational performance. Helps individuals, teams and organizations eliminate behaviors that sabotage, undermine relationships, and lower motivation.

Products and services

• The Human Element Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% of program participants were promoted or given more responsibility (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center case study)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Business Consultants South East Asia Co., Ltd. (Thailand)coreOthersAffiliated company of Business Consultants, Inc. Located at The Millennia Tower, Bangkok, Thailand. Part of the global BCon network supporting The Human Element delivery across Southeast Asia.
• Business Consultants (Shanghai), Inc.coreOthersAffiliated company providing The Human Element services in China. Located at Henghui International Mansion, Shanghai.
• Business Consultants Vietnam Co., Ltd.coreOthersAffiliated company with offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Part of the BCon Vietnam operations supporting regional delivery.
• Business Consultants (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.coreOthersAffiliated company at Marina Bay Financial Centre, Singapore. Supports The Human Element delivery in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
• PT Business Consultants IndonesiacoreOthersAffiliated company at Mayapada Tower, Jakarta. Part of the BCon network in Indonesia.
• Licensed Human Element Practitioners (Global Network)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork of 30+ independent certified practitioners across 15+ countries. Practitioners are licensed to deliver The Human Element programs, purchase and use materials, and facilitate team-building and leadership processes. Languages include English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Swedish, Arabic, and Chinese.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FranklinCovey: Global training and consulting firm built around proprietary leadership methodologies (e.g., 7 Habits) with a licensed facilitator network. Broad incumbent because it sells enterprise leadership training but covers a much broader content portfolio.
• Gallup: Research-based consulting firm selling CliftonStrengths and employee engagement surveys to enterprises and individuals worldwide. Broad incumbent because it overlaps on engagement/strengths development but offers a much wider portfolio of analytics and advisory services.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with leadership development, talent assessment, and executive search practices. Broad incumbent because it competes for the same enterprise OD budget with a much larger portfolio including search and RPO.

Direct peers

• The Predictive Index: Talent optimization platform combining behavioral assessment with consulting and coaching for leadership and team performance. Direct peer because it bundles psychometric instruments with organizational development services sold to enterprise HR buyers.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Research-driven leadership development provider offering programs, assessments, and coaching to organizations globally. Direct peer because of its evidence-based methodology, psychometric inputs, and practitioner-led enterprise delivery model.
• Hogan Assessments: Provider of personality-based psychometric assessments used widely for leadership development, hiring, and executive coaching. Direct peer because both companies center their methodology on validated personality/behavioral instruments applied to leadership and organizational outcomes.
• Ken Blanchard Companies: Leadership development company built around proprietary methodologies (e.g., Situational Leadership) delivered through certified trainers. Direct peer because of its proprietary IP, certification-based delivery model, and enterprise training focus.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership development firm offering assessment, training, and coaching programs to enterprise clients. Direct peer because it competes in the same enterprise leadership and culture transformation category with practitioner-led delivery.
• Wiley (Everything DiSC): DiSC-based behavioral assessment and learning solutions used in workplace training, leadership development, and team building. Direct peer because it sells a similar proprietary psychometric-driven methodology through a certified practitioner/channel network.

Emerging players

• Marshall Goldsmith Coaching: Executive coaching practice with a published leadership methodology and stakeholder-based change process used by enterprises globally. Emerging peer because it competes in behavioral leadership change but is more individual/coaching-centric than methodology-platform-centric.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thehumanelementofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Human Element