How Do You Express Love at Work?
Yes, you read that correctly? How do you express love at work? Not romantic love, but love that falls into one of these 4 categories:
Love for self
Love for others
Love for the work that you do
Love for humanity
A few weeks ago, while I was in Panama, a new friend asked me if I liked what I do. I emphatically replied “I absolutely love what I do.” She commented that my whole energy shifted, as if the truth of my response radiated from every inch of my body, and she mused, “I want to find work that gives me that vibrational energy.”
I realize that I am very fortunate to do work that feels so aligned with my heart and my spirit. Many people choose to do work that is in service to others, so that they can give from their hearts. Yet, you don’t have to be in this type of role to share your heart in the workplace.
I believe that being able to express love is a key component to being happy at work.
Some of us express our love through creativity and the care that we give to the work itself. Others express love by sharing kindness, empathy, and consideration to our co-workers. The ways to express love are innumerable.
Years ago, when I was a software developer, I often expressed my love for my teammates, by being playful and cracking jokes to lighten the mood when we were under a lot of pressure.
As a leader, I’ve expressed my love by making sure my team felt supported and cared for; by letting them know I’d always tell them the truth, even when it was hard or uncomfortable; and letting them know that I would always have their back.
Connecting to what we love and feeling a sense of contribution fosters self-motivation and engagement.
Unfortunately, many people, especially those in corporate environments, don’t believe they can bring the more heart centered parts of themselves into the workplace. Over time, if their souls are not engaged during their workdays, they may find it difficult to get up in the morning. Work can literally feel “soul-sucking.”
I believe that even in the most seemingly frantic or cutthroat work environments, there is still room for people to express their love. Simply taking a five minute break to walk outside can be a great expression of self-love. Having the courage to point out the potential negative implications of a popular initiative can be a great expression of love for humanity.
So I ask you again, how do you express your love for yourself, others, your work, and/or humanity in your workplace? Hopefully there are many instances of these that bring a big smile to your face and nourish your soul.
[Julie Allen is an executive leadership coach who helps executive women leverage authenticity as a superpower to transform the way they show up, make decisions, and deliver meaningful results in the workplace.www.BoldAuthenticLeadership.com]