According to a new book by workplace leadership coach Greg Cochlan, leaders who
actively show love to their employees and coworkers are more effective and
respected.
The idea of leaders expressing love in the workplace may seem to be at odds with
the prevailing wisdom that business requires a macho attitude and that a leader
who shows any feelings, especially love, is weak.
However, Mr. Cochlan’s research indicates that the opposite is true. When
leaders show love, they strive to protect the dignity of those they are leading,
creating a climate in which employees are confident to take chances and
demonstrate their full creativity. A flow of love is thus created between the
leader and employees, with everyone working to their fullest and contributing to
the organization or company in a spirit of unity.
Mr. Cochlan identifies the eight attributes of a love leader, among them
authenticity, vulnerability, courage and being good beyond self. When these or
any other attributes that stem from an attitude of love are actively practised,
the immediate impact is an improvement in the quality of life of all involved.
Inspiration to practise love comes from humanity’s great leaders, including
Mother Teresa, who said, “It is not how much we do but how much love we put in
the doing. It is not how much we give but how much love we put in the giving.”
How much love does each of us put in the leading we do everyday?
