“Love” has been hijacked by all sorts of perverted and limited definitions for a very long time. However, it is much broader than the romanticized, fantasized, and even sexualized versions that we see on television, in movies, and online.
At its core, love is about caring for and seeking the best interest of others. Yes, there are many expressions of love in different types of relationships. In our common English language, we use this one word to mean so many things that it often causes confusion and misunderstandings. However, in other languages, there are a variety of words used to express various meanings of love that make sense in different contexts.
Without going into a deep word study, I want to implore you to love the people you lead in an “unconditional” way that seeks the best for them. As leaders, we are given the charge to oversee, protect, and care for people, not just demand results from a distant, disconnected position. While you can lead that way (and many have), you won’t bring out their best contributions.
In order to develop a healthy and professional kind of love for the people you lead, consider the following:
1 – Love Supersedes Feelings in the Moment
Let’s face it. People aren’t always easy to love. Whether it’s in your family or workplace, loving people can be a challenge. Everyone is unique. We don’t always understand where people are coming from or why they do what they do. When you love someone unconditionally, you have to let go of how you feel when you’re frustrated or overwhelmed. You need to remember that your followers matter as human beings, even when they make mistakes or don’t act the way you expect or desire. Caring for them has to go above and beyond your feelings in any given moment.
2 – Love Requires Action
Love is a verb. It requires you to do something. It may mean helping someone out when they’re stuck or struggling. It may mean disciplining an employee when they need corrective action to become better. It may mean equipping followers with tools or skills so they can improve their abilities and performance. The bottom line is that you can’t love someone without taking action. As a leader, your job is to guide, direct, equip, and develop your team members so they can grow and be successful. You must take action in order to achieve the results you desire.
3 – Love Demonstrates Commitment
Loving your followers means that you’re committed to their well-being and success. While you sometimes need to remove people from your team when they continually underperform or are a bad chemistry fit, you need to do your part to help them succeed. Commit to their growth. Commit to ensuring they have a positive work experience. Commit to developing a healthy workplace culture. Commit to supporting them through the inevitable ups and downs of their daily responsibilities.
While loving your followers may seem strange or feel awkward at first, it’s a game-changer when implemented appropriately in your leadership.
Imagine having a team that is committed to one another and to achieving your stated goals.
Imagine having followers who become more committed to the vision, mission, and results of your organization because they know they matter.
Imagine being the kind of leader who attracts top talent because they hear of how well you treat your followers.
This can all be possible when you embrace the power of loving the people you lead in a healthy, professional, unconditional way.
In my new book, The Magnetic Leader: 18 Essential Actions of Leaders People Love to Follow, I go much deeper into Essential Action #9 – Loves People. CLICK HERE to join the waiting list to get updates on when the book will be released and receive a FREE POSTER revealing all 18 Essential Actions!
Until next time…make today GREAT!
