The Power of Leading with Love

Creating a team culture rooted in love and adopting a mindset of leading with love requires intentional effort and commitment. At A Human Workplace, we stand for love and act as a magnet for individuals seeking a different, more human kind of workplace experience. People who share the belief that caring for one another leads to better outcomes are drawn to this community. (Maybe this is you too?)

For us, it begins with each team member at A Human Workplace bringing their own unique qualities and experiences, including their strengths, creativity, challenges, and vulnerabilities. They are dedicated to supporting and celebrating each other through both the good and difficult times. This commitment creates a space where everyone is seen, heard, understood, and loved. It is the core of our culture and what we share with our clients.

Celebrating and Supporting Each Other: An Example

This last year, as a team, we had the honor of standing in love with Rick, our Compassionate Operations Officer at A Human Workplace. This has been a powerful experience that highlights how we embrace working with love and why we believe this is so important not only for our work but for our ability to positively impact each other as humans. A year ago, Rick’s beloved wife Rebecca died after battling cancer. It has been our privilege to accompany him through this time, to grieve openly with him, to cover his responsibilities when he’s needed room to step back to grieve throughout the year, to listen and witness his reflections and lessons as he’s processed this experience, and to stand in hope with him.

We sent a message to Rebecca before her passing reassuring her that we would be there for him, that he wouldn’t be alone, and that we would care for him. This is our unwavering commitment to love each other by holding space for each other and providing steadfast support, even in the face of adversity. We have unexpectedly received back the gift of profound lessons about the journey of grief through Rick’s openness and vulnerability. We have all been changed by this. Such meaning is possible when we build trusting relationships, hold space, and accompany each other on this human journey.

Sometimes people wonder what we mean by “holding space”. This essential human leadership skill means being fully present and attuned to others' mental, emotional, and physical state and well-being. It involves acknowledging a person’s needs, creating a safe environment for expression, centering them in that moment, and helping them to feel truly seen, heard, and understood. Holding space isn't always about words; sometimes, it's as simple as sharing a moment of silence, taking a collective deep breath, and affirming that support is available. It's about welcoming each other to be human and recognizing that everyone experiences both ups and downs and should not have to hide their joys or sorrows.

Bringing Love into the Workplace: Everyone's Responsibility

Balancing the principles of leading with love, holding space, and keeping accountability within a team or organization can be a delicate task. When it comes to our team’s accountability, I prefer to use the term "responsibility.” “Accountability” can sometimes carry negative connotations of punishment and blame. Responsibility, on the other hand, emphasizes a mutual trust that we want to fulfill our commitments and honor our word.

So, as a leader, how do you strike a balance between individuals' needs and the needs of the group and the organization? Holding yourself and your team members responsible and ensuring that they fulfill their roles and responsibilities is crucial. This is love for the entire group. Doing this in a loving manner means addressing any skill mismatches or issues that may impact the team's overall performance. By approaching this with compassion and dignity, leaders can help individuals who are mismatched find a better fit within the team or support them in transitioning to a different role. By prioritizing the well-being of the entire team while meeting the organization's goals, leaders demonstrate their unwavering commitment to love and responsibility.

Ultimately, embracing leading with love requires a conscious decision to prioritize human connection, empathy, and support in the workplace. By cultivating a culture that celebrates each person's unique qualities, holds space for their needs, and promotes responsibility, leaders and teams can create a loving environment where results are achieved and people thrive!