Love in Action Humane Leadership - A Reading of the Introduction (Marcel’s New Book Release!)
Episode recap:
Marcel discussed his new book, Humane Leadership, which emphasizes the importance of expressing actionable love in the workplace and the need for leaders to care for their employees. He also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and growth in leadership, as well as the necessity of developing people skills to achieve business success. Marcel also mentioned that he is offering bonus content, including chapters 3 and 4, on his Substack platform. Go to Marcelschwantes.substack.com and access the Humane Leadership tab for the bonus content.
Bio:
Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition.
Quotes:
- "People want to feel cared for, but I call it for what it really is. People want to feel loved."
- "Every employee is someone's daughter or son, spouse or partner, and each one depends on their leader for guidance, care, protection, and a sense of belonging within the community."
- "Deep down, effective leadership is love practically demonstrated to achieve business success and leave a legacy."
Key Takeaways:
- Reflect: Are you viewing your team as people—with hopes and fears—or simply as tools to hit business goals?
- Practice agape love: Show loyalty, commitment, and genuine care for your team’s growth, not just their performance.
- Build meaningful connections: Move from transactional interactions to real relationships built on trust and respect.
- Shift your leadership style: Embrace a people-centered mindset instead of a results-only approach.
- Take one small action today: Listen deeply, offer support, or recognize someone’s contribution—beyond the job title.
Timestamps:
- [00:03] What Humane Leadership Really Looks Like
- [01:58] Why Love Isn’t “Soft” in the Workplace
- [03:19] Seeing People, Not Just Headcount
- [06:44] How Love Gets Misunderstood in Business
- [09:07] Agape Leadership in Real Life
Conclusion:
Great workplaces aren’t built on pressure—they’re built on people.
When leaders act with kindness and put people first, they create environments where teams feel safe, motivated, and empowered. Leadership is not about control; it’s about helping others grow. When employees feel genuinely valued, the business thrives too.
Resources
- 📘 Book: Humane Leadership
- ✍️ Substack: marcelschwantes.substack.com
- 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes
- 🐦 X/Twitter: @MarcelSchwantes
- 📺 YouTube: @MarcelSchwantes1
- 📸 Instagram: @marcel.schwantes