Putting the Love in Business

Hi,

“Put the love in it.”?

It was Gino Wickman who said this at one of our QCEs. At the time, it was greeted by a loud applause & many tears.?

But don’t worry – it doesn’t mean we’ve gone all woo woo.... Or even all cultish (well, only a little bit ??).

I think it just resonated with so many people in the room.?

For me, it means that life is too short not to do what you love with people you love... In Business & in Life!?

From that first sharing of that thought, we’ve seen more & more of this feeling come into EOS, not only as EOS Implementers but also in the most recent EOS book – PEOPLE: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture.?

I have always wanted to bring more love into business. ?

I have this artwork on my wall in the office, it was one of the first pieces of art I had ever done. ?

Also, the last, so far. ???

BUSINESS TOOLS & REAL-LIFE LESSONS

What's love got to do with it?

So, what does putting the love in it mean??

It’s about making love-based decisions rather than fear-based decisions.?

All decisions we make stem either from love or fear, that’s the reality.?

So, how do you know whether your decisions are lover or fear-based??

The way Gino & Rob describe it is to ask yourself this question, “When making decisions, do your thoughts align with your long-term goals?” ?

If not, then fear might be influencing you.?

I’ve included a great article on this from the 10 Disciplines – one of Gino’s latest projects to help entrepreneurs.?

Putting the love in it, especially within the context of EOS, means infusing your business with passion, purpose, & genuine care at every level. Here’s how I see it:?

1. Clarity of Vision & Values?

Love starts with clarity. When a business defines its Vision & Values, it creates a shared purpose that everyone in the organisation can rally around. This isn’t just about hitting financial targets - it’s about building something meaningful that everyone cares about.?

2. Caring for Your People?

EOS emphasises having the right people in the right seats. But beyond just fit, it’s about genuinely caring for your team. When employees feel valued & understood, they’re more engaged, more productive, & more likely to put love into their work.?

3. Customer-Centric Approach?

Putting love in it means going beyond transactions. With EOS, businesses focus on understanding & solving customer issues, ensuring that every touchpoint is infused with care & consideration. This builds stronger relationships & loyalty.?

4. Passion-Driven Innovation?

Love fuels creativity. When leaders are passionate about their vision, it inspires innovation. EOS gives them the tools to remove distractions, allowing them to focus on what they truly love - whether it’s product development, building partnerships, or creating memorable customer experiences.?

5. Building a Legacy?

Finally, love in business is about legacy. It’s not just about short-term wins but creating something that lasts. EOS helps businesses build structures & systems that ensure sustainability, enabling them to leave a lasting positive impact on their community & industry.?

In essence, putting the love in it means leading with heart, prioritising what truly matters, & ensuring that every action, decision, & interaction is aligned with the greater good of the business & those it serves.?

So the first part to putting the love back in it is making sure that you are all clearly aligned around the long-term goals & your core values & making decisions based on this.?

How does this all play out in real life??

An advertising agency was experiencing rapid growth, winning new clients left & right. However, with the pace of their expansion, they struggled with consistency in their work & the culture was starting to fray. They had a talented team & great creative ideas, but without a clear long-term direction, they were spread thin & losing focus.?

When they implemented EOS, the leadership team realised they needed to get everyone aligned around a strong, shared vision. They took the time to nail down their 10-year Target - a bold goal that would drive their decisions & inspire their team. They also revisited their core values, ensuring they resonated with the entire business & reflected what truly mattered to them.?

With these in place, the agency became laser-focused. The 10-Year Target gave them a clear destination, helping them prioritise the right clients, projects, & growth opportunities. ?

Their core values became the guiding principles for hiring, decision-making, & client relationships, ensuring everyone in the agency was rowing in the same direction.?

As a result, not only did the agency maintain its rapid growth, but it also became more intentional & strategic. Their work quality improved, their culture strengthened, & they attracted even more of the right kind of clients - those who aligned with their values & long-term vision. The focus they gained through EOS allowed them to scale with purpose, making their success sustainable & even more significant.?

And how do we, as business owners, get back to doing what we love??

Let me tell you about one of my clients – a manufacturer & service provider.?

They had a Visionary who was tied up in the weeds - overseeing installations, managing sales teams, & resolving customer issues. They found themselves stuck in tasks that didn’t inspire them, losing sight of their true passion for innovation & strategic growth.?

When the company implemented EOS, the Visionary finally saw a clear path to let go. The accountability chart helped define clear roles, with the Integrator taking charge of daily operations & managing the team. This freed the Visionary to focus on new product development, partnerships & market expansion - areas that truly excited them.?

With the EOS tools, such as the Level 10 Meetings and Scorecards, the Visionary no longer needed to worry about the operational details. The structure allowed them to step back, confident that the leadership team had everything under control. As a result, the business grew, and the Visionary was back to doing what they loved - driving the company’s future vision & fostering innovation in their industry.?

So, there are a few ways – I have many more stories I can tell, but hopefully, this inspires you to take action.?

If you’d like to learn more about EOS, just hit REPLY to this email? - it comes directly to me.?

PS: Picture of Gino, just to grab your attention – but I can tell you that there is a lot of love in this man… I’m always working on getting him to come on my podcast to tell us all about his latest book, Shine!?

Better Business Articles

Put The Love Back into Your Business & Your Family!?- Create a balance between success and your family.?

The EOS Life?: Doing What You Love?- Live a lifelong journey with EOS and the ones you love.?

How To Discern Fear-Based Decisions?- Choose the right decision between love and fear.?

Podcasts to Listen to

Unlocking the Secrets of Success & Love?- Learn how to embrace and build meaningful connections.?

Do What You Love with People You Love - Know the benefits of working with the people you love.?

Do You Have Time to Do What You Love??- Find time to do what you love with Danny Mishek.?

Better Life Stuff

Do What You Love, Love What You Do - Unlock your passion and do what you love.?

33 Ways to Love Yourself More?- Explore practical tips to love yourself more.?

A Better You with HabitList?- Track everything you need to reach your health goals.?

MEET OUR TEAM

In this section, I introduce the team & our Trusted Partners.

This week, I’m excited to re-introduce someone truly special to you all – my good friend, business partner & EOS bro, Adam Harris !?

Have you ever met someone who simply loves to ask questions? (Except for me!)

That’s Adam for you… He’s my brother from another mother.??

As the founder of Frank and Fearless and a seasoned EOS Implementer, Adam brings over 20 years of experience in running businesses and 18 years of leadership coaching expertise.

He works with me in our Business Action & Integrated Executives businesses and has his own podcast & newsletter.

He’s also about to join me in working with EO businesses in Melbourne.?

How do you help people?

I just love asking questions; my inquisitive, wondering mind means I like to dig deep and peel away the layers. Helping an individual or team understand a different perspective, view or assumption and the result of the change or difference is why I love it.?

Why did you get into what you are doing????

I was looking at becoming a member of a CEO mastermind group. www.tec.com.au, when I was no longer a CEO, I was invited to become a chair and run a group; I fell in love with experiential learning and chaired a group for ten years. I came across EOS and fell in love and, going through the process ourselves, decided a move to NZ was living our true EOS life.

What do you love about it??

I love holding space and facilitating a room to give individuals and teams permission to play, be comfortably uncomfortable and have ‘Frank and Fearless’ conversations. This allows for the hard work to be done, and the results for all are great to see, the impact on purpose-driven organisations is so rewarding.?

What do you do in your spare time, pursuing other passions?

I perform regularly in an ‘Improv’ group, I am a regular at the gym or out walking, and I love watching my beloved Football team, Nottingham Forest (irrespective of the time).?

Tell us something that very few people know about?you? ?

I am a qualified butcher, baker, and candlestick maker. I used to be a professional lookalike and had a business with 10,000 blowup dolls!?

FIND OF THE WEEK

This week, my find of the week is the Covert Theatre here in Auckland. ?

Steve and I are such big supporters.?

If you’re looking for a dose of laughter & some top-notch entertainment, this place is an absolute gem. ?

We sometimes pop in when we need a good dose of laughter – it never disappoints! ??

Their talented performers have a knack for quick wit and clever improvisation, making every show a little different & always a lot of fun. ?

The venue also has this intimate atmosphere, which makes you feel like you’re part of the performance, not just watching it.?

If you’re in Auckland, I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a great night of laughter!

I’ve added the website below so you guys can check it out yourself.??

Book Now

Debra Chantry-Taylor

Certified EOS Implementer | Accredited Family Business Advisor | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Speaker & Workshop Facilitator