
Love in Action
Join global leadership expert Marcel Schwantes and the world's top business thought leaders, authors, executives, and luminary movers & shakers who share insights, research, and best practices to help you and your business/organization flourish. Whether you’re looking to cultivate better leadership habits, develop a high-performing culture, or grow your business through a more human-centered approach, the Love In Action Podcast offers practical and instructional steps and wisdom to help you reach your full potential.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 19min
Marcel Schwantes: How to Lead, Live and Work in Congruence
Episode recap: Marcel highlights a growing trend of executives seeking coaching to align inner beliefs with outer success. He outlines steps to achieve congruence and invites listeners to explore congruence coaching—focused on inner alignment and purposeful leadership. A free discovery call is available for those wanting to lead from their core values and integrate purpose into work and life. Book your free, 15-minute discovery call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/15-minute-discovery-call?preview_source=et_card&month=2025-06 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.Key Quotes“Congruence is the experience of being deeply aligned, where your inner world—meaning your values, beliefs, deep emotions, and purpose—is in sync with your outer world.”“Authentic leadership isn’t about oversharing or emotional dumping. It’s about integrity—so your words and actions match your intentions.”“The most powerful leaders are not the loudest, the most exuberant, or the most polished—they are the most congruent.” TakeawaysAudit your calendar: Remove tasks that don’t align with your top 3 priorities.Daily check-in: “Are my choices moving me closer to or further from my true purpose?”Set boundaries: Say no to requests that drain your energy.Spend 15 minutes each morning reflecting on your core values and checking if your actions match those values. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Love in Action Podcast00:40 Today's Topic: Self-Awareness and Limiting Beliefs02:18 Understanding Congruence in Leadership04:51 Steps to Achieve Congruence08:55 Aligning Inner and Outer Worlds13:09 The Importance of Congruence15:37 Invitation to Congruence Coaching18:19 Closing Remarks and Call to ActionConclusion Real leadership begins when your actions reflect your inner values—not just external goals. It's not about image or performance, but showing up with honesty and clarity. Congruent leaders build trust that can’t be faked, prevent burnout, and lead with deeper meaning and lasting impact. Alignment is more than a buzzword—it’s your leadership foundation.The book: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass BossSubstack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantesYouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/Schedule a free callSend Marcel a text message!

Jun 20, 2025 • 37min
Tony Martignetti: Campfire Lessons for Leaders
Episode Recap:Tony Martignetti, a popular leadership coach, author and podcaster extraordinaire, joined Marcel to talk about his leadership journey. Tony talked about his book "Campfire Lessons for Leaders," exploring leadership topics such as curiosity, creativity, finding your purpose and embracing emotional courage. Both guest and host shared their personal journeys transitioning from traditional careers to leadership development roles, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in effective leadership. The conversation covered the transformative power of storytelling, the challenges of breaking free from traditional career paths, and the intersection of art and business in leadership development.Guest Bio:Tony Martignetti is the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Partners, a leadership development firm. Tony is a leadership advisor, best-selling author, podcast host, speaker, entrepreneur, idea generator, people connector, and a curious adventurer. Tony is the author of “Campfire Lessons for Leaders: How Uncovering Our Past Can Propel Us Forward.” He brings over 30 years of business and leadership experience and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential. Quotes:"If you're willing to feel everything, you can have anything.""Leaders are shepherds for growth and the vision of the people around them, while also aligning them toward something bigger than they could achieve on their own.""Curiosity is not just about the question—it's about listening to what happens when we ask the questions." Takeaways:Spend 30 minutes identifying the parts of yourself you’ve hidden in professional settings. How can you integrate them into your work?Practice multi-dimensional curiosity: explore a completely unrelated field this month.Ask three people in your circle what hidden potential they see in you.Create a “focus and expansion” plan: brainstorm career experiments and test one within two weeks.Reflect on a past experience and extract one lesson to support your current growth.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement00:47 Welcome to the Love in Action Podcast01:22 Introducing Tony Martignetti02:56 Tony's Journey from Art to Leadership04:37 Finding Fulfillment in Leadership08:46 Defining Leadership and Service09:51 Campfire Lessons for Leaders20:16 Embracing Emotional Courage with Peter Bregman26:12 The Importance of Curiosity in Leadership28:35 The Intersection of Art and Business31:25 Final Thoughts and Takeaways34:52 Closing Remarks and Contact InformationConclusion:Leadership is about more than skills—it’s about self-awareness, reflection, and the courage to show up fully. Growth often requires discomfort, but through curiosity, emotional honesty, and connection, leaders can inspire teams and create meaningful change. When leaders bring soul into business, they leave lasting impact.Resources & Links:Website: ipurposepartners.comLinkedIn: Tony MartignettiX: @TonyMartignett1Instagram: @inspiredpurposecoachSend Marcel a text message!

Jun 12, 2025 • 46min
Sabina Nawaz: Becoming the Manager Others Need
Episode Recap:In this episode, we dive into Sabina Nawaz's new book You’re the Boss: Becoming the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), which offers fresh insights for managers looking to thrive in today’s high-pressure world. Nawaz, a global C-suite coach, shares her 20+ years of experience coaching top executives at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and the United Nations. With proven strategies backed by thousands of 360° reviews, Nawaz reveals how pressure and power can derail even the most well-meaning managers. She explores key topics like managing yourself first, overcoming pressure pitfalls, the power of "Blank Space" for creativity, and why self-care is crucial for success. Tune in for actionable advice on how to be a more effective, balanced, and impactful leader.Guest Bio:Sabina Nawaz is the author of You’re the Boss: Becoming the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). She’s an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. Sabina teaches faculty at Northeastern and Drexel Universities. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. She has written for and been featured in Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, among others.Quotes:"It is not power but pressure that corrupts—where we act out, raise our voice, yell, and scream under pressure.""I am sufficient. Not all the garnishes and varnishes. Just show up with the mindset that you are sufficient, and it will work."Key Takeaways:Micro-habits matter: Start small—one push-up, one minute of meditation, 0.1 miles of running—to build consistency.Invite perspective first: Ask “How do you think things are going?” before offering feedback.Talk less, listen more: Be the third or fourth person to speak in meetings to allow space for other voices.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement01:20 The Role of Managers in Today's Economy05:17 Sabina's Origin Story08:09 The Inspiration Behind 'You’re the Boss'11:51 New Rules for Modern Managers17:02 The Toxic Boss Myth21:11 The Power of Micro Habits24:58 The Danger of the Singular Story26:32 Pressure and Power in Leadership30:07 The Importance of Multiple Perspectives31:11 Effective Communication and Feedback37:12 The Shut Up Muscle38:55 Handling Pressure with Blank Space39:34 Speed Round: Personal InsightsConclusion:Modern leadership is less about control and more about clarity, care, and courage. Sabina Nawaz shows that managing well under pressure starts with knowing yourself, creating room for others to be heard, and leading with presence and empathy. The strongest teams are built on daily habits, honest conversations, and a leader who shows up with both confidence and humility.Resources & Links:📘 Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Youre-the-Boss/Sabina-Nawaz/9781668023181 🌐 Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ 📰 Newsletter: https://growthroughpressure.substack.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawazSend Marcel a text message!

Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 9min
Elina Teboul: The Power of Feminine Intelligence
Episode recap: Elina Teboul joined Marcel to discuss her groundbreaking work, as featured in her new book, Feminine Intelligence. Teboul reveals how feminine intelligence is the key to running some of the world's most successful companies ― with greater joy, authenticity, purpose and profit. Drawing on exclusive interviews with billionaire philanthropists, unicorn founders, and happiness pioneers, Feminine Intelligence uncovers the most powerful, often-overlooked traits that are driving the future of business. Bio:Elina Teboul is a leadership expert who coaches influential leaders globally. She is the author of Feminine Intelligence: How Visionary Leaders Can Reshape Business for Good. Elina holds advanced degrees in psychology and law from Columbia University. She specializes in helping leaders navigate challenges, cultivate authenticity, and lead with congruence and purpose. Quotes: "Feminine intelligence is about bringing in feminine values and principles and strengths into business leadership." "Powerful leadership isn't about efficient machines. It's about engaging our hearts, our souls, and our vision to create a better way of doing business." "You can only take other people as far as you've taken yourself." Takeaways: Reflect on your leadership style: Are you balancing masculine drive with feminine qualities like empathy and intuition? Practice a loving-kindness meditation focused on self-love to unlock your capacity for authentic leadership. Explore how you can reshape your workplace culture by introducing more playful, relationship-driven interactions that encourage genuine sharing. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement00:47 Welcome to the Love in Action Podcast02:00 The Problem with Current Leadership04:36 Introducing Elina Teboul and Feminine Intelligence06:31 Elina Teboul's Personal Journey10:07 Defining Feminine Intelligence16:04 The Importance of Congruence in Leadership20:36 Examples of Conscious Leadership30:38 The Role of Purpose in Leadership33:18 Crafting Purpose in the Workplace35:34 Introducing Psychedelic Leadership36:11 The Psychedelic Renaissance and Mental Health38:27 Psychedelics and Self-Awareness42:37 Personal Experience with Psychedelics52:42 Feminine Intelligence in Leadership59:03 Speed Round and Final Thoughts Conclusion: Strong leadership today calls for a balance of qualities often labeled as both masculine and feminine—like clarity, empathy, and adaptability. Moving past rigid, results-only thinking allows leaders to create work environments that value people as much as performance. Skills such as emotional awareness, collaboration, and thoughtful communication are no longer optional—they’re essential. The leaders who stand out are those willing to grow personally and rethink old models of power and success. Real change starts with those who lead by example, not just by title. Links/Resources: Book: https://feminineintelligencebook.com/Website: http://www.elinateboul.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/elinateboul/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinateboul/Send Marcel a text message!

May 30, 2025 • 48min
Deborah Coviello: A CEO’s Compass to Get Back on Track
Episode recap:Known as The Drop In CEO™, Deborah Coviello, a respected leadership consultant, joined Marcel to discuss her journey of self-discovery that led her to write her seminal book, The CEO’s Compass. She emphasized the importance of peace of mind, humility, and investing in mentoring and coaching programs to develop essential skills.Guest Bio:Known as The Drop In CEO™, Deb’s superpower is lowering the temperature and elevating conversations with empathy and patience. As a speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, she teaches C-Suite leaders how to establish a “Lift, Light, Lead” environment and create calm amidst chaos or crisis. She is the author of “The CEO’s Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track” and “The NEW CEO Playbook: Stop Chasing Results and Start Pursuing Peace of Mind.”Her long-running podcast, The Drop-In CEO, ranks in the top1.5% globally among Apple Podcasts.Quotes:"If something doesn't feel right, it's probably not right. And if your heart is telling you to go in a certain direction, trust it.""People are not transactions. We are humans. And when we can listen, show that we heard them, understand them, and see them for who they are, that is a way of showing practical love in the workplace.""Slow down to speed up. Get to know the people and what made them great."Takeaways:Ask your team members how your company's purpose translates to their specific role and daily work.Schedule monthly one-on-one meetings focused on personal development, not just project updates.Reflect on your leadership style: Are you creating an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued?Identify one external mentor or coach who can help you develop essential leadership skills.Timestamps:[00:11] How Deb Stepped into Leadership Her Way[03:22] The Wake-Up Call That Changed Deb’s Leadership Style[08:08] How Deb Defuses Conflict with Just Her Presence[10:52] Why The CEO’s Compass Starts with Peace of Mind[14:46] What Happens When Mentorship Is Missing at Work[16:42] Four Compass Points That Keep Teams on Track[32:13] Making Purpose Tangible for Everyone on the Team[35:35] How Humility and Curiosity Can Quiet Workplace Ego[36:17] Why Leaders Need Outside Eyes to Grow Their Teams[41:35] The Small Acts That Make a Leader Worth FollowingConclusion:Good leadership begins with truly understanding the people you work with—not just their roles, but also their goals, strengths, and values. When leaders invest in mentoring, thoughtful coaching, and a supportive work place, they open the door for better ideas and stronger dedication. A calm, clear mind helps leaders listen more fully and respond with care. This kind of leadership builds trust and skill across the entire team. Over time, it creates a work culture where people feel motivated, capable, and proud of what they contribute.Links/Resources:Website: https://dropinceo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahacoviello/The CEO’s Compass–Your Guide to Get Back on Track on Amazon:https://bit.ly/OrderCEOCompassSend Marcel a text message!

May 22, 2025 • 10min
Marcel Schwantes: A Look at the Science and Best Practices of Leading with Empathy
Episode recap:Marcel discusses the concept of kindness in leadership, focusing on empathetic interactions as one of two types of kindness that work well in the leadership trenches, backed by science. He explains that kindness can spread throughout an organization, creating a more civil work atmosphere. Marcel presents five practical ways to practice empathic leadership: active listening, showing genuine interest in team members, encouraging perspective-taking, maintaining open communication, and discussing empathy as a cultural value. For bonus content of his book not available anywhere else, subscribe at Marcelschwantes.substack.com.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: "Empathy is a competency that can be learned. When it's displayed among teams, it helps bring people together." "When you interact with a colleague or a direct report, try to understand how the person is feeling, not how you would feel in the same situation." Takeaways: Practice active listening in your next three workplace conversations by focusing entirely on understanding the other person's feelings, not your own perspective. Map out your team members' individual goals and interests, then intentionally match their upcoming work assignments to align with those personal objectives. Conduct a quick self-audit: Ask your direct reports to rate your empathy on a scale of 1-10, and be prepared to hear honest feedback without becoming defensive. Timestamps: [00:09] How Kindness Actually Shapes Better Leadership [02:35] What Gen Z Really Wants from Their Bosses [04:54] Five Ways to Lead with Empathy That Stick [07:40] Why Compassion Will Be the Next Big Topic Conclusion: Kindness in leadership isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a practical skill that shapes how teams work together. When leaders show empathy and take time to truly listen, they help build trust and stronger connections across the workplace. This approach not only improves morale but also supports long-term performance and retention, especially among younger employees. By making empathy part of everyday practice, organizations can become more adaptable, supportive, and effective. Links/Resources: The book: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass BossSubstack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/ Send Marcel a text message!

May 16, 2025 • 46min
Jeff Wetzler: An Actionable Guide to Unlocking Learning and Personal Growth
Episode recap:This week Marcel sits down with Dr. Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life. In this enlightening conversation, Marcel and Jeff discussed the importance of asking the right questions and being curious in leadership and life. Jeff introduces a powerful scientific method called The Ask Approach™, a practical framework for learning from others. They explored the challenges that prevent people from sharing insights and emphasized the need for creating psychological safety, posing quality questions, active listening, and reflection to unlock human potential. The conversation covered various aspects of effective communication and learning, highlighting the significance of curiosity, empathy, and gratitude in both personal and professional settings.Bio:Dr. Jeff Wetzler is an expert on adult learning and leadership development. He is co-founder and a board member of Transcend, a leader in education innovation. Transcend works with hundreds of schools and districts in over thirty U.S. states and has a vibrant network of 10,000+ innovators. Jeff is also former Chief Learning Officer of Teach For America, and is a two-time author. Jeff’s career is dedicated to unlocking human potential by helping people learn more deeply and transform their mindsets to realize bold new possibilities for themselves, their organizations, and their communities. Jeff holds a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University.Quotes:"If you are not embarrassed by who you were last year, you're not learning fast enough.""There is something important to learn from every single person—even people we disagree with, even people who are our enemies, even people we think are dangerous." Takeaways:Practice curiosity by asking "What might I be missing?" before jumping to conclusions about people or situations.Create psychological safety in conversations by meeting people where they're comfortable and showing you genuinely want to learn from them.Develop listening skills by paying attention to content, emotions, and actions during conversations, not just words.Timestamps:[00:08] Why We Struggle to Ask the Questions That Matter[02:44] Meet the Mind Behind the Ask Approach to Learning[05:01] What Drives Dr. Wetzler to Keep Learning[06:11] Why People Hold Back What They Really Think[11:51] Five Ways to Get Honest Insight from Others[21:38] How to Make People Feel Safe Enough to Share[25:17] Asking Better Questions That Actually Teach You[28:42] Listening That Builds Trust Instead of Tension[31:25] What to Do After Someone Opens Up to You[35:00] How to Make Good Conversations Feel Natural[37:42] Dr. Wetzler’s Biggest Hope for How We Grow NextConclusion:The Ask approach shows that many communication problems come from fear, assumptions, and not taking time to understand others. When people feel safe to speak openly, real conversations can happen. Asking thoughtful questions and truly listening—not just to words, but to tone and body language—can lead to stronger trust and clarity. This kind of communication builds deeper connections and helps avoid misunderstandings. It's a simple but powerful shift in how we relate to one another.Links/Resources:Book website: https://www.askapproach.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wetzler-9ba3824/ Send Marcel a text message!

May 12, 2025 • 9min
Leading with Love: What Business Can Learn from Ancient Spiritual Traditions
Episode recap:Marcel discussed his new book, Humane Leadership and the spiritual/religious background of his principles of love and action, which he developed after experiencing poor management at a hospital. He emphasized the importance of leaders caring for their employees and shared research on how principles and practices from ancient religious traditions principles can be applied in leadership contexts. Marcel encouraged leaders to implement his five radical principles of love in action to maximize human potential and achieve business success.For bonus content of the book not available anywhere else, visit Marcel’s Substack platform and subscribe at Marcelschwantes.substack.com.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:"If engagement is high, you're going to have high performance, which is very good for business. Everything goes back to leading with love and care.""Leadership is patient, kind, humble, advocates for people, and is trustworthy.""Those at the top are the ones who care enough for people's well-being, mental health, and commitment to the job." Takeaways:Listeners to get curious about leadership practices in their organizations if they notice low employee motivation, high turnover, or decreased engagement.Leaders and managers to assess how they are leading and caring for their people, especially if experiencing issues with retention or quiet quitting.Organizations to consider implementing the 5 radical principles of love in action (patience, kindness, humility, advocacy, and trustworthiness) to improve leadership and employee experience.Leaders to explore ways to create more actionable, practical love and care in their current situations to maximize human potential and improve business outcomes. Timestamps:[00:03] Why Toxic Leadership Nearly Broke Me at Work[02:30] What Top-Down Workplaces Do to Your Body[04:00] Why Love and Care Actually Boost Performance[05:30] What Ancient Wisdom Teaches About Good Leaders[06:45] Five Traits Every Great Leader Has in Common[07:30] What Most Leaders Miss About Team Motivation[08:30] How to Help People Do Their Best Work Every Day Conclusion:Leadership becomes more effective when it's rooted in care, respect, and a focus on people rather than control. Strong teams don't grow from rigid structures, but from spaces where people feel safe, heard, and trusted. When leaders prioritize connection and support, it encourages openness and better performance. The most productive workplaces are built on shared trust, not fear. It's through this kind of leadership that real progress happens. Links/Resources:The book: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/Send Marcel a text message!

May 8, 2025 • 1h 6min
Siri Chilazi: Building a Fair Workplace for Everyone to Succeed
Episode recap:Today’s guest is Siri Chilazi, a leading gender expert, Harvard researcher, and co-author of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results. Marcel and Siri discussed gender equity in the workplace, highlighting progress made and challenges that remain in achieving fairness for all employees. They explored strategies for implementing gender equity, including the use of data-driven approaches, revising hiring practices, and adapting leadership criteria to reflect changing work environments. The conversation also touched on the impact of remote work, the importance of work-life balance, and the need for empathy and compassion in leadership to create more equitable workplaces.Bio:Siri Chilazi is a senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School whose life’s work is to advance gender equality in the workplace. As a keynote speaker and strategic advisor, Siri collaborates with a wide range of organizations around the world. Her work regularly appears in leading media outlets. Siri has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in Chemistry and Physics from Harvard College.Quotes:"We should be all have the same chance to show what we can do and what we're made of.""Talent exists everywhere, and when we refuse to allow for the potential of talents based on things like ethnicity or extracurriculars that have nothing to do with the skills you bring to the table, we miss out on many really good people who could do excellent work in our organizations."Takeaways:Track gender representation in your team's work by spending just two minutes after each project to count participation percentages.Redesign your hiring process using structured interviews with pre-determined questions and horizontal grading to reduce unconscious bias.Rotate administrative tasks like note-taking and meeting scheduling to prevent one gender from consistently handling "office housework"Timestamps:[00:00] Why Fairness Still Matters More Than Ever at Work[02:53] How Siri Went from Lab Coat to Leadership[06:19] What Fair Work Really Looks Like in 2025 and Beyond[09:31] Surprising Ways Bias Still Shows Up in Hiring Today[16:11] Why Most DEI Programs Fail Inside the Day-to-Day[22:30] How Tracking the Right Data Closes Fairness Gaps[27:16] Changing Behavior Beats Changing Minds at Work[30:42] Fixing How We Hire and Promote Without Bias[39:45] What Remote Work Really Means for Women’s Growth[45:48] Making Parental Leave Equal Changes Everything[50:01] What CEOs Can Actually Do to Make Work More Fair[51:58] How Small Changes Build More Fair Workplaces FastConclusion:Workplaces still reflect deep-rooted inequalities, especially in how people are hired, promoted, and evaluated. These patterns often hold back women and other underrepresented groups. Instead of trying to shift personal beliefs, lasting change comes from fixing the systems themselves. Clear, consistent practices—like fair assessments, equal chances for growth, and shared responsibilities—can help build a more level playing field. When fairness is built into everyday processes, everyone benefits.Links/Resources:Website: https://sirichilazi.com/Book: https://makeworkfair.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirichilazi/Send Marcel a text message!

Apr 24, 2025 • 12min
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 LifeConclusion: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.schwantesSend Marcel a text message!