For the Love of Leadership - Why the Heart of Business Is Human
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. —Dalai Lama
Dear Culturati Insider,
Every Wednesday I dedicate to poring over numerous articles, newsletters, and the occasional white paper or report, gathering insights from over 20 publications for On Culture. My goal is to bring forward the most important, timely, and impactful research and ideas around leadership & culture—not just to inform, but to challenge, entertain, and, perhaps above all, inspire—whether by provoking new perspectives or elevating aspirations. My quiet aim is to battle, or at least balance, the headlines with hope.
This week felt especially bleak, and I am reminded how desperately we need hope, trust, humanity. And love.?The ancient Greeks—think Plato, Aristotle, and their crew—laid the groundwork for the eight frameworks of love as we now know them. And as this former Rhetoric & Writing major (and forever word nerd) was brainstorming to the Beatles' All You Need Is Love,?I became curious about the frameworks' application in a business sense. The result:
?? Ludus—playful love, the spark of curiosity, creativity, and cultures where people thrive.
?? Agape—selfless love, the foundation of purpose-driven leadership and lasting impact.
?? Pragma—enduring love, built on trust, alignment, and long-term commitment.
?? Philia—deep friendship, the glue of collaboration, respect, and psychological safety.
?? Philautia—self-love, the balance of confidence, boundaries, and resilience.
?? Eros—passionate love, the energy of ambition, vision, and bold innovation.
?? Storge—familial love, driven by care and loyalty.
?? Mania—obsessive love, the dangerous side of unchecked ambition and attachment.
And so, I’d argue that love is as essential to leadership as it is to life. High-performing organizations are built on trust, purpose, and connection. This week, we see how Ludus fuels curiosity and play, making workplaces more adaptive and creative. Agape turns leadership into service, aligning business success with meaningful impact. Pragma reinforces trust and long-term commitment, ensuring stability through change. Philautia reminds us that self-awareness, confidence, and boundaries aren’t just personal virtues—they’re leadership imperatives. And Philia fosters deep camaraderie and psychological safety, the foundation of strong teams and lasting success.
Call it trust, purpose, respect, or commitment...a rose by any other name, it still shapes how we work, lead, and build lasting cultures. The best leaders understand that business isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people. And people flourish when trust is earned, purpose is shared, and leadership is rooted in something greater.
?? With love,
Myste
A New Operating Model for People Management: More Personal, More Tech, More Human
By Asmus Komm , Fernanda Mayol , Neel Gandhi , Sandra Durth , and Jasmin Kiefer
Summary: The future of people management is becoming more dynamic, AI-powered, and human-centric, creating workplaces that spark curiosity, adaptability, and engagement by enhancing both performance and the employee experience. Organizations that excel in these areas are 4x more likely to outperform financially and 1.5x more likely to sustain top-tier status, according to McKinsey research. The evolution of HR hinges on hyper-personalization, real-time data insights, and internal mobility, and with only 5% of companies fully leveraging advanced technology, there’s a growing opportunity to reimagine work as an interactive, fluid experience. The leaner, tech-enabled HR function of the future—led by a "strategic triumvirate" of people strategists, scientists, and technologists—will match talent with opportunity, automate routine tasks, and free managers to focus on coaching, experimentation, and fostering innovation. Companies embracing this model will cultivate resilience, fuel creativity, and build an energized workforce poised for lasting success.
Ludus – The love of play, curiosity, and experimentation. In the workplace, it nurtures creativity, adaptability, and a culture where people feel energized by their work. Organizations embracing Ludus create collaboration, resilience, and lasting engagement.
Are Your Company’s Purpose Initiatives Working?
By? Chris Blocker, PhD , Joseph P. Cannon, and Jonathan Z. Zhang
Summary:?Deep-purpose companies don’t just communicate values—they integrate them into strategy, culture, and operations to drive meaningful social impact and stakeholder trust. Research from the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science shows that only 5% of organizations fully embed purpose, while many remain stuck in "profit-masking" or "transitional purpose" modes, risking backlash and disengagement. Yet purpose-driven firms achieve 40% higher workforce retention and 30% greater innovation (Deloitte) by aligning transparent metrics, capability-building, and leadership commitment with business objectives. Leveraging technology, partnerships, and adaptive strategies, these organizations sustain impact, creating lasting competitive advantage and measurable value for stakeholders.
Agape – The love of purpose, service, and shared humanity. In the workplace, Agape reflects a values-driven commitment to meaningful impact beyond profit. Organizations embracing it integrate purpose into strategy and culture, building trust, advancing social good, and driving stakeholder value.
Build a Strong Cofounder Partnership With Science
Summary: High-trust relationships—whether in the C-suite, boardroom, or across executive and management levels—are critical to organizational resilience, collaboration, and long-term success. The Sound Relationship House Theory, developed through 30+ years of research by the Gottman Institute, has been adapted to business settings to strengthen cofounder dynamics, executive partnerships, and leadership teams. Trust is built through deep understanding of colleagues’ motivations, consistent positive interactions (5:1 ratio of positive-to-negative exchanges), and transparency in decision-making. Gottman research finds that in 96% of cases, the way a difficult conversation begins predicts how it will end, making softened startups—clear, non-accusatory communication—essential for productive conflict resolution. Leaders who cultivate appreciation, shared meaning, and open dialogue create teams that are more engaged, adaptable, and high-performing. When trust and purpose align, organizations see stronger collaboration, healthier cultures, and greater long-term stability.
Pragma – The love of commitment, trust, and alignment. In the workplace, Pragma reflects the foundation of strong, enduring partnerships—whether in the C-suite, leadership teams, or management. Leaders who embrace Pragma cultivate consistency, clear communication, mutual appreciation, and constructive conflict resolution, ensuring stability, collaboration, and sustained growth.
A Better Way to Compare Yourself to Colleagues
By Michael Matthews, Thomas Kelemen , and Mark Bolino
Summary:?Self-comparison in the workplace can significantly impact both individual well-being and performance. While frequent self-comparison can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and burnout, research shows that strategic, purposeful comparisons can drive growth and motivation. Based on a review of 131 research articles, three key strategies for managing self-comparison are recommended: 1) limit unnecessary comparisons to avoid negative emotions and stress; 2) make comparisons with the goal of improvement, using them as opportunities to learn and develop new skills; and 3) compare yourself to individuals who are slightly better at something (as opposed to having equal or superior skills). This can inspire increased effort and boost performance. By practicing self-awareness and setting healthy boundaries, individuals can harness self-comparison as a tool for continuous growth and personal development.
Philautia – The love of self, self-respect, and self-awareness. In the workplace, Philautia promotes self-actualization by encouraging individuals to embrace self-compassion, set healthy boundaries, and make strategic self-comparisons for growth. Leaders and employees who practice Philautia use this as a tool for personal development, not self-judgment, boosting confidence, fulfillment, and performance. Through balanced self-reflection, they cultivate a strong foundation for continuous improvement and self-satisfaction.
Everyone Brings Past Trauma to the Workplace. These Coaches Can Help Leaders Navigate It
By Jessica Klein
Summary:?Trauma-informed leadership is becoming increasingly essential in the workplace, with studies showing that 70% of individuals experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. Leaders who adopt trauma-informed practices create safer, more supportive work environments, leading to improved employee engagement, better communication, and higher productivity. By empowering employees, acknowledging their trauma, and fostering open communication, trauma-informed practices can improve team dynamics, prevent burnout, and drive business success. Implementing these strategies also promotes psychological safety, encouraging an environment where employees feel valued and supported while contributing to higher overall performance.
Philia – The love of inclusion, respect, and camaraderie. In the workplace, Philia fosters a culture of psychological safety and collaboration.?Leaders who embrace Philia create an environment where employees feel a sense of belonging, support, and mutual respect which in turn?helps teams navigate challenges, improve dynamics, and become more innovative.
How the Best Teams Learn to Thrive
Culture expert, author, and educator?Josh?Levine?reveals what’s driving?trust,?connection, and?innovation?today in teams from start-ups to blue-chips—and where even top-performing organizations still struggle. Drawing on years of experience partnering with tech executives,?Josh?shares how forward-thinking leaders are?adapting?to?shifting workplace dynamics?using?emerging tools?and?insights.?
Backed by proven strategies, this workshop offers?actionable ideas?to keep your teams?connected,?inspired, and?prepared for what’s next. Whether you’re refining established practices or seeking new approaches, this is your opportunity to learn from the successes—and missteps—of leading organizations. Explore why?RTO mandates often fail to solve productivity challenges, discover the?three essential tools for fostering?trust,?relationships, and?innovation, and understand the?critical role culture plays in integrating and managing A.I. You will leave equipped with new perspectives and practical tools to navigate the complexities of today’s evolving workplace with confidence.
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LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE
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Cofounder Coach & Licensed Psychologist
3 周Thanks for covering my article, Myste! Looks like a great collection of resources and I’m excited to read more
Thank you for sharing!