We don’t talk about love enough at work. Yes, love. When I say this while speaking it usually prompts a head tilt similar to when I say “treat” or “ball” to my dog. What do you mean love at work? I think their minds wander to some inappropriate romantic scenario they saw on TV or experienced second-hand at work. But I’m not talking about that. Not the buzzword “we’re like a family” love, either. Cause, gross.
Love is everywhere when people work together successfully. The “I think you will be great at this” kind, where a manager makes space for you to learn new things. The “I’ve got your back” kind when your team advocates for pronoun education that helps one of them live more peacefully and everyone be better to each other. It’s a volunteering PTO and “how can I support you” kind of love, when life creeps out of balance and work can’t be the most important thing on someone’s plate right now. It’s people asking questions, showing up, and taking care of each other when we can’t put our best foot forward.
There are millions of hypotheses, theories, and assessments that claim to know what makes a team work, but none of them are as universally accurate as when people show up with love over and over again. After almost 20 years working in and with corporate America, I have seen it first hand. My life changed as an employee when people cared. I evolved as a manager when I started asking “how would I help someone I love experiencing this” instead of applying some best in class manager training.
The naysayers might suggest that’s some rose-colored lens, but anyone who has been in a relationship for a long time knows the truth. Loving someone doesn’t mean it’s easy all the time or you’ll never fight. It doesn’t mean hard things won’t happen or feedback isn’t important. Love in all its instances – at work and home – isn’t written in absolutes. In fact, I think it abandons most of them altogether.
Because what work needs right now as we survive this constant uncertainty is not more experts on leadership, teamwork, or passion projects. No best in class or more awards that celebrate nothing. It’s love through advocacy. It’s making values a verb. Managers taking actions they’re proud of, not just what pushes the bottom line forward. It’s not more rules or policies. It’s love that’s “show not tell” and so rare in the world of work where most folks are just trying to get ahead.
What the world of work needs now is love.