What's Love Got To Do With It?

So it's Valentine's Day. A day for professing love. Celebrating love. Maybe even being curious about love. But when it comes to leadership, you may ask, 'What's love got to do with it?'

"A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people that trust each other." - Simon Sinek

Leadership is about people. And it starts with us. If we are to build trust, influence and make a difference within our journeys of potential, then leadership needs to be grounded in connection. To self. Others. And the world around us. Leadership is a heart word.

"When you approach challenging situations from a place of love, solutions emerge." - Lorrie Thomas Ross

When we love someone, something or some place, we'll courageously look for ways to work it out. It's not always easy. But we're willing to stay with it a bit longer, navigate the messiness, and seek out solutions. Rather than just getting bogged down in the problems. This is what leaders do.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

When we think of those real leaders in our communities who inspire us, it's usually lots of intangibles that come to mind. As expressed in the quote above, they seem to focus on those small acts of caring that leave people feeling seen, supported and that they belong. They've got a 'strong back and soft front', confidently letting compassion guide their daily thoughts, words and actions.

"Great leaders may be found at the top of a mountain looking back upon their challenges, but the greatest leaders are often found at the foot of the mountain still helping others reach that summit." - Robert Clancy on Lead from the Heart

Thank you for the love that you let shine within your individual and shared journey of potential. It's how we help shape the families, communities and world that we dream of. Connection really is the glue that holds our humanness together. Love and leadership, they're definitely linked. Happy Valentines Day!