Try Some of Mr. Roger’s Leadership Wisdom
My four-year-old granddaughter, Capri, snuggled up in a little nest of blankets and pillows in my office, sleepy after dental surgery. Her mom needed to run an errand. I put on a Spotify lullaby playlist while she rested.
First, Julie Andrews sang, “Stay Awake” from Mary Poppins. Billy Joel sang, “Goodnight, My Angel”.
Then I recognized Mr. Roger’s voice singing, “Many Ways to Say I Love You.”
There are many ways to say I love you.
There are many ways to say I care about you.
Many ways, many ways, many ways to say
I love you.
There’s the singing way to say I love you.
There’s the singing something someone really likes to hear.
The singing way, the singing way, the singing way to say
I love you.
Cleaning up a room can say I love you.
Hanging up a coat before you’re asked to,
Drawing special pictures for the holidays and
Making plays.
You’ll find many ways to say I love you.
You’ll find many ways to understand what love is.
Many ways, many ways, many ways to say
I love you.
Singing, cleaning,
Drawing, being
Understanding,
Love you.
Music and Lyrics by Fred M. Rogers.
Fred Rogers was an iconic American television host, composer, author, puppeteer, producer, and ordained Presbyterian minister, most famous for creating and hosting the beloved public television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001. He gently taught generations of children about emotional awareness, kindness, and self-worth, making everyone watching feel safe, valued, and accepted as if he were talking just to them.
As his voice sang to Capri in my office, my thoughts flashed back to watching the program on our little black and white television in the late 60's and early 70's, recalling Neighbors like Mr. McFeely, Lady Aberlin, and Officer Clemmons, and the Land of Make Believe with shy Daniel Striped Tiger and X the Owl. Mr. Roger’s predictable routines and imaginary play were comforting and enchanting. He normalized feelings, caring, and belonging for all, showing what it means to be a loving human.
The words of his song are true for you, too, Loving Leader. To practice Love-Centered Leadership™ there’s no one-size-fits-all. There are universal principles, but innumerable practices for expressing that love. Let’s take a gentle page from Mr. Rogers' songbook today and affirm that at work…as leaders…
There are many ways to say I love you
There are many ways to say I care about you
Many ways, many ways, many ways to say
I love you.
There’s the listening way to say I love you.
There’s the listening to something someone really needs to say.
The listening way, the listening way, the listening way to say
I love you.
Helping someone learn can say I love you.
Including someone, asking for their input too.
Recognizing effort, saying thank you, and
Seeing a project through.
You’ll find many ways to say I love you.
You’ll find many ways to understand what love is.
Many ways, many ways, many ways to say
I love you.
Listening, helping
Including, asking,
Recognizing, thanking.
Love you.
Here’s what I don’t want you to miss: These simple lyrics from Mr. Rogers describe a timeless, unchanging truth about being human: We all need to be loved and accepted. And, yes, there are many different ways we can convey this love to each other everywhere we go.
Mr. Rogers normalized love. You can follow his lead and continue his legacy in your work, family, and neighborhood, too.
Try this reflection:
What are your many ways of saying ‘I love you’ at work? What about at home or in your community?”
Think back on this last week: How have you shown care and love to your team? To your family? To your neighbor? Or how might you still?
Who on your team might need to hear or feel, “I care about you” in a new way? What action might that look like?
There are endless ways to say “I care about you” at work and in other parts of life, too. Choose one today and make love visible in the way only you can as a Loving Leader. Let those small but meaningful actions carry Mr. Rogers’ legacy forward in your workplace and life.
