Canada Post: Leadership & Love Languages | Please forward | Friday Leadership Report

Happy Friday Alan,

This week, I reflected on something small yet meaningful—a phrase printed on the side of an Amazon box:?"Fast delivery is our love language."

At first glance, it seems like clever marketing. But the more I thought about it, the more it struck me as a profound statement about leadership and organizational culture.

The?Five Love Languages?framework, initially designed for personal relationships, also offers a powerful lens for leadership.?

These principles—Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch—can translate directly to how we show care and connection in the workplace.

For example:

• Words of Affirmation: Clear, positive communication and recognition of a team member's efforts.
• Acts of Service: Taking proactive steps to make a colleague's day more straightforward, like stepping in to solve a challenge or offering support before it's asked for.
• Receiving Gifts: Thoughtful gestures, whether professional development opportunities or a token of appreciation.
• Quality Time: Being fully present in one-on-one meetings, listening actively, and engaging deeply.
• Physical Touch: While this doesn't directly apply to the workplace,?it can be reimagined?as creating environments of psychological safety—spaces where team members feel "touched" emotionally by kindness and support.

At CareerJoy, I often think about how?Service is our love language.?

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Putting people at the heart of what we do—from our partners to team members—drives our success. It's about showing care through meaningful actions and authentic engagement.

The mail strike, now in its fourth week, has reminded us how much we value connection and the small, reliable gestures that make our lives easier—like a letter arriving at our door. As the strike continues, we adapt and form new habits. For many, this means shifting to alternatives like Amazon, drawn by their promise of swift, reliable service.

But let's pause here for a leadership insight: Amazon's success isn't just about fast delivery; it's about anticipating needs and delivering on promises—something every leader can aspire to. When we understand our team's "love language,"?we connect deeper, fostering loyalty, trust, and high performance.

A Harvard Business Review study found that employees who feel their leaders are empathetic are 4.5 times more likely to be engaged at work. This?demonstrates the importance of understanding and responding to your team's emotional and practical needs.

So, as we head into the holiday season, let's ask ourselves: What's?your?leadership love language? How can you show up in ways that matter most to your team?

Let's lead with intentionality and care, whether it's a kind word, an act of support, or simply being present.

Along the road with you,

Alan

P.S. It’s always the right time to support your team through transitions. Connect with Matt Goff, VP of Partner Solutions, at [email protected] to discover how our outplacement and transition services can help you lead with care and confidence.

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P.P.S. It’s always a good time to invest in your team’s growth. Let us support your people and culture needs. Connect with Matt Goff, VP of Partner Solutions, at [email protected] to explore how we can help.

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