“The higher up you go in an organization, the greater a leader’s capacity for love must be. It’s on us as leaders to grow that capacity for love within ourselves, to cultivate that love on our teams, and to release the full potential of each team member.” – CEO and Founder of a Human Workplace, Renée Smith.
Imagine walking into work each day feeling safe, supported, and energized, instead of anxious or guarded. In too many workplaces, fear rules the culture, stifling creativity, collaboration, and performance. What if we told you that there's another way: leading with love. It might sound idealistic, but the research proves it's not only possible; it can be a powerful tool for cultural transformation. When fear goes down, love rises. And with love comes trust, innovation, engagement, and results. At Heffelfinger Co., we believe it’s time for business leaders to embrace the tenets of what Renée Smith ofA Human Workplace calls the future of work: love, not fear.
Why Fear Fails and Love Wins
Smith believes that fear is not a good leadership strategy because it constricts the brain’s capacity for creativity and openness. When people are afraid for any reason in the workplace, whether it be a fear of failure, of speaking up, or of their manager’s reaction, they shut down and hide mistakes. Worse, they disengage and keep their best ideas to themselves.
Conversely, workplaces that lead with love create a company culture of safety and belonging. Love activates the very best in us: empathy, innovation, problem-solving, and purpose. According to Smith, “All the good comes from love.” Through 70+ interviews and hundreds of workshop participants, she has learned that fear damages people and teams, while love supports and unlocks their full potential.
Smith’s work defines what “love at work” actually looks like. It's not sentimental or romantic love, but about seeing and treating people as human beings. It’s about people at all levels of the organization showing respect, inclusion, trust, and care every day.
The Business Case for Love
Let’s be clear: love isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s a performance strategy. Leading with love has the power to create high-performing teams because happy employees deliver better customer experiences and solve problems faster. They also innovate more and stay with the organization longer.
Leading with love also makes businesses more sustainable. As we face high levels of burnout, resignation, and dissatisfaction in the workplace, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the old, industrial-era command and control models are no longer working. Companies that want to thrive in the 21st century must prioritize making work more human.
Seven Ways to Lead with Love
Based on her research on Love and Fear in the Workplace, Renée created seven proactive ways to transform your workplace with more love and less fear:
- Believe Love is Essential
Love should be viewed as a foundational leadership trait from which all other positive experiences flow. Take time to reflect on what love means to you at work. Ask yourself: When have I experienced fear at work? When have I experienced love? What difference did it make? Clarify your definition of love and commit to making it your core value. - Know That Anyone Can Lead with Love
You don’t need a certain background or personality to lead with love. You don’t need a budget or permission, either. You just need the intention to care. Everyone, at every level, has the ability to create a more loving environment in their workplace. - Trust Your Loving Instincts
If something feels wrong about the way people are interacting in your workplace, trust that feeling AND your instincts for compassion, fairness, and inclusion. These helpful behaviors engage the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting trust and cooperation. - Ask and Listen with Humility
If you want to reduce fear and increase love, ask people directly. Say something like: “I’m working on being a leader who builds trust and care. How can I help you feel safer and more valued at work?” Then, listen without defensiveness. Thank them for their honesty, and follow through. - Don’t Wait; Just Begin
You don’t need a formal program or approval to start showing love at work. Smile and say good morning. Ask about someone’s weekend. Recognize effort. Be kind. You already have everything you need to start shifting your culture today. - Study Love Like a Leader
Read about love and fear. Watch TED Talks and follow writers and speakers like Renée Smith. Let others know you’re interested in this work, and they’ll share resources with you. Surround yourself with people who believe in a human, loving approach to leadership. - Keep Going, Even When It’s Hard
There will be setbacks. You may slip up or encounter resistance. Keep going. Apologize when necessary and extend grace to yourself and others. This work is transformational, but it’s also long-term. The deeper you go, the more powerful your potential impact.
To learn more about Renée Smith’s research and how to make your workplace more human, visit A Human Workplace.
Love Is the Future of Work
When we stop trying to scare people into performing—and instead focus on helping them grow into their fullest potential—we unlock extraordinary potential. We create spaces where people flourish, want to contribute, and build teams that innovate, adapt, and thrive.
If you’re ready to rise above fear and lead with love, you’re not alone. According to Gartner, 93% of CEOs want to change their culture, and many leaders are already on a journey to transform theirs. In today’s fast-changing world, a strong, healthy culture is essential to stay competitive and ahead of the game. Contact us to learn more about how Heffelfinger Co. can help lead a cultural transformation in your organization.
Warmly,
James & Lori
James Jackman & Lori Heffelfinger
