Love Does in Business

I recently completed Bob Goff’s book, “Love Does.” Bob is not your conventional attorney or author. He speaks and writes with boundless energy, spontaneity, and joy so robust you may become convinced your secretly incredible life full of adventure awaits once you make the simple, yet profound decision to live a life full of love and meaning. Bob opens his mouth or puts pen to paper and instantly excretes charisma, wisdom, and exuberance.

Many of Bob's everyday life experiences have become legend. He once took his kids out of school for an entire year in order to travel the world and meet with world leaders whom they’d written letters to. He sat outside the dean’s office for weeks pleading to be admitted into law school, until the dean was persuaded that Bob’s commitment transcended formal criteria for admittance. He spontaneously called Attorney General Ashcroft inviting him to go to Uganda with him, and the AG said yes. Bob even let a stranger with the courage to ask, hold a full-blown surprise engagement party including chefs, wait staff, and friends/family on his beachfront property. But love wouldn’t only allow Bob to say yes to this ridiculous request from the love-struck stranger. Bob was so compelled by this man’s whimsical exhibition of courage, he participated in the proposal and paired up with the local coast guard to put on a shimmering display of fireworks for the man, his soon-be-bride, and their guests to enjoy!

While a glimpse of Bob’s life may sound incredible, he tells you he doesn’t have it all together. Despite the curve balls life has thrown at Bob, his central theme remains: active love overcomes. Practicing love as an active force is applicable not only in relationships and family life, but also during negotiations with world leaders and within organizations of all sizes. Here are Two Ways Love Does in Business:

1.      Find Meaning in Your Work:

Many jobs have elements that we do NOT love. Meaning will magnify our favorite aspects of our jobs, while making the more dull and laborious tasks more manageable because we realize that they are part and parcel of the whole. Meaning has the ability to evoke love. For deepest meaning, look beyond the surface of your own interests. Ask yourself why you do what you do? Other than yourself, which people and organizations does your work impact the most? Which communities’ benefit from your work the most?

2.      Practice the Skill of Love in the Workplace

We all have challenging times. We have days where we feel off. In these moments, love may seem like a broadly defined emotion that is nothing but a pipe dream with no practical place in the harsh, cold business world. However, just as writing an e-mail, effectively communicating on the phone with a customer, and drafting a work proposal are all activities requiring skill, so is love. Love is a conscious choice that requires consistent practice in order to become habitual. This doesn't mean we inappropriately hug and kiss every co-worker and violate code of conduct policies or sexually harass. It means we demonstrate love in as many ways as we can, while remaining professional. Love does not wait for perfect timing, fear to subside, or the door to open. Love kicks the door down. Practice love with your colleagues, bosses, employees, shareholders, board members, suppliers, and customers.