Amelia Dunlop is Deloitte Digital’s Chief Experience Officer and the author of Elevating The Human Experience. Amelia writes and speaks regularly on the topics of human experience, design, and customer strategy. In this episode of Love in Action, she touches on the three paths to elevate the human experience involving self love and worthiness at work and in life. Quotes:“So many traditions and philosophies teach that the fundamental human condition is one of suffering. There are many things you and I may not have in common, but [we can understand] that feeling of suffering we share.” [9:30] Why is elevating the human experience so necessary? Amelia shares the importance of helping people feel loved and worthy and the impact it has at work.“If you're not putting human needs at the center, you feel burned out; if you’re not feeling heard, you feel gaslit, if you’re not feeling included, you feel excluded.” [12:43] There are many ‘trends’ of focus in the workplace right now, and as Marcel points out, ​​burnout, loneliness, and isolation are not new concepts. Amelia turns these problems around and focuses on the cause: human needs and the human experience.“The first path is the path of the self where we learn to see ourselves as inherently worthy of love.”[16:15] How often do you share love with yourself? Amelia explains the system of external affirmations in society through grades, gold stars, etc. It is the self love that comes from within that allows us to see that we are worthy. She challenges listeners to write down the reasons they are loveable and explore those answers.“You could argue that doing the work on yourself is selfish. No, doing the work on yourself is critical as a leader in particular. You now have to mirror back the worth into somebody else, and that’s the second path.” [29:20] Amelia quotes Ian Forrester when she says, only connect. She explains how we cultivate worthiness as leaders within our employees. We can do this by showing up as allies at work: As a friend, as a mentor, as a sponsor, and as a benefactor. Consider not only who those people are for you but also who you are to others. “What does it mean to leave someone better off, no matter how brief the interaction?” [37:37] As Amelia begins to discuss the third path, cultivating love in the community of work, she places importance on acknowledging the system that is there; even though it is invisible, it can be deconstructed and redesigned to support our human needs.“The journey element is key, there is no point of arrival…we are always a work in progress."  [41:48] Marcel and Amelia wind down there discussion on the three paths to elevate the human experience. Amelia notes that these paths are not always sequential and require a lifelong journey of work. “We have about 40 years of research from Gallup that says [recognizing your employees’ contributions improves employee engagement]; it does something special to the human spirit when somebody lifts and builds you up through gratitude.” [43:30] Closing out their conversation, Marcel notes research that backs up Amelia’s tip for leaders: Catch your employees doing good work and let them know!Mentioned in this episode:Amelia Dunlop | LinkedInMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Julie Winkle Guilioni is the author of the international bestseller Promotions Are So Yesterday: Redefine Career Development. Help Employees Thrive. As a champion for workplace growth and development, she believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their potential. Julie supports organizations and leaders who want to make that happen with keynote speeches, consulting, and training.Quotes:“It really does feel like Promotions Are So Yesterday is the sequel [to my previous book] because, as you know, Help the Grow really focused on the conversation, ‘How can we disarm this whole thing called career development?’.” [12:14] Before diving into her new book, Julie reiterates the message behind her first book and what that means for her research. “The climb is listed as well as your other 7 discoveries for these new alternative ways people want to grow and develop.”  [17:05] Marcel and Julie touch on the 7 dimensions of development in the book: Contribution, Competence, Confidence, Connection, Challenge, Contentment, and Choice.“We found that contribution across ages, genders, levels - that was number one.” [23:21] Julie discusses the really positive meaning behind the number one dimension, contribution, as a top need for people in the workplace. A surprising yet comforting bottom dimension? The climb of the corporate ladder. “This whole conversation around choice is really alive for a lot of employees, managers, and organizations alike, as we try to figure out: where does that decision-making lie?” [30:28] Julie explains how the ranking around choice fluctuates and has changed heavily based on COVID related shifts in the workplace.“A facilitative mindset acknowledges there is wisdom, there are insights, there are brilliant ideas inside each person just waiting to find expression.” [34:59] Julie outlines how leaders can act as facilitators by asking great questions and, at the same time, cultivating silence to create a safe playing field for employees to share their contributions.“The work becomes the development, the development becomes the work.” [47:00] Marcel drops a quote from the book that sums up the movement in which employees are shaping their work and the way leaders can seamlessly embed this intention of learning in any job.Mentioned in this episode:Marcel SchwantesJulie Winkle GiulioniAssessment - Julie Winkle GiulioniJulie Winkle Giulioni, Author | FacebookJulie Winkle Giulioni | LinkedInSend Marcel a text message!

“To this day, Bruce is my favorite boss because of his penchant for leading with love.” [0:44] Marcel ‘introduces’ Bruce, a favorite boss from his corporate career. He explains the qualities of love Bruce led with and how they impacted him at work.“While he was still "the boss," I was much more satisfied and engaged in that job than at any other time during my corporate career. The big difference? Bruce never managed people from the top down; instead, he led from the bottom up.” [1:30] When it comes to being “the boss” it doesn’t mean leading with high demands and personal gain; instead, it was the freedom and autonomy Bruce allowed his employees that made the difference.“We had a higher level of commitment because we could see the relationship between the organization's direction and what we personally believed in and cared about.” [2:50] As Marcel closes out this excerpt from his book to be released in Fall of 2024, he shares exactly how the entire organization and the employees benefited from the leadership of Bruce and his focus on relationships and trust.Mentioned in this episode:Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

“The way most Western businesses operate today can be traced back to Friedman’s essays. Love and care as business values were as distant to Friedman’s model as Pluto is to planet Earth.” [2:35] Marcel references Milton Friedman, a champion of free enterprise, and his NYT articles from the 1970s that share a doctrine of shareholder primacy and his ‘Greed is Good’ mentality.“We will need to completely overhaul our selection process to identify, hire, and promote leaders and potential leaders who embody the principles of Love in Action.” [3:24]  There is a clear shift and ‘Changing of the Guard’ so to speak, that Marcel explains in order to help this new vision of love and care create profit that is good for humanity“Until we abandon systemic managerial thinking anchored in the industrial revolution, where autocrats hold control, power, and decisions at the top, we will hold back the workforce—our most valued employees—from reaching their fullest potential."  [4:55] As Marcel closes out this sample of his future manuscript, he emphasizes the reason for the Love in Action podcast and the importance of these conversations that engage the idea that companies profit when the human lives supporting them flourish. Mentioned in this episode:Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Heather McGowan is one of the leading voices on the Future of Work. She’s the co-author of The Empathy Advantage. McGowan is a sense maker, a dot connector, a deep thinker, and a pattern matcher who sees things that others miss. Heather gives people the courage and insight that illuminates their path forward. She’s transforming mindsets and entire organizations around the globe with her message about how the next phase of work will focus on continuous learning and how leadership must shift to guide these expeditions. Quotes:“Leaders cannot be unquestioned experts making decisions in certainty and calling all the shots.” [8:39] As Heather McGowan joins Marcel to discuss the book she co-authored, The Empathy Advantage,  she explains the purpose behind discussing this important topic. Leaders need to rely on their people in an ever changing workforce, and the only answer is empathy to access this human potential. “We’re looking at about a 30% churn in the labor market. If that’s your new reality, you can’t lead the way you used to lead.” [11:03] People leaving jobs due to poor leadership and burnout was only catalyzed by the pandemic. 2021 was not the end of the great resignation, in fact it only increased in 2022 and 2023, people are continuing to leave jobs because they are empowered and need  to be led better. “If you’re hearing cynicism [in your organization], they don’t believe the things you're saying…they don’t believe you. You’ve lost trust. Your culture is gone.” [19:50] Culture is an important piece of the leadership puzzle. How do you know when you have a toxic culture or something is going wrong? Heather says the number 1 warning sign is cynicism. “Most people at every level of an organization are leading people that have skills and knowledge that they do not.” [21:39] The old way of leading was born of a different generation and way of life, that just isn’t going to work anymore. Organizations are built differently and for good reason. To get through this and lead the way of today Heather explains 4 fundamental shifts: mindset, culture, approach, and behavior. “Empathy is good for business because if you apply empathy to your customers that's the foundation of innovation…Empathy towards your employees means your focused on activating their human potential.” [25:59] As Heather and Marcel wind down the episode, she explains her ultimate hope for the readers of her book: Empathy is not something that diminishes performance.Mentioned in this episode:Heather McGowan Heather E. McGowan 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | LinkedInMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Matt Poepsel hosts the “Lead the People” podcast and is the author of Expand the Circle. His mission is to help us liberate ourselves from outdated attitudes and behaviors that hold us back from our true potential. When working with organizations, Matt partners with HR Leaders, Executives, and Team Leaders who seek to help their leaders—and themselves—embody an enlightened leadership approach.Quotes:“We are grateful and honored that you choose to spend time with us every week...because there are literally millions of podcasts out there.”[2:12] Welcome to the 200th episode of Love in Action, this is no small feat and as he celebrates, Marcel Schwantes thanks his listeners from around the globe as well as his incredible guests. “Leadership holds such potential for us to change our organizations for the better.” [9:54] As Marcel and Matt Poepsel, PhD dive into their discussion, Matt explains his love/hate relationship with leadership. He feels it has so much power and importance but as a whole it's not getting the development, attention, and service it deserves.“How do we cast off these outdated notions, attitudes, and beliefs about what leadership is?” [12:05] The theme of Matt’s book, Expand the Circle…Enlightened Leadership is defined by Matt as a modern, contemporary, and less selfish version of leadership.“Being, Belonging, and something Bigger than myself…we all want these things.” [24:24] Matt introduces the 3 B’s in a team context and how leaders can lead teams and help teams find identification and inclusivity. “Leadership isn’t just the domain of the most senior person in the room.” [27:16]When talking about leading the organization, Marcel makes the point that not everyone wants to be in the C-Suite. Matt explains that anyone can influence the organization and the collective whole in many ways like reinforcing values and influencing the teams around them.“When people feel connected to mission, and to one another, and to their own potential selves…that is the place of enlightened leadership and that is only gonna happen through love.” [37:29] Matt shares inspiring words when it comes to what Love in Action means to him.Mentioned in this episode:Matt PoepselMatt Poepsel, PhD | LinkedInMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

“A toxic work culture was found to be 10.4 times greater than compensation in predicting a company's attrition rate relative to its industry average.” [1:23] Marcel explains the not so shocking reason why workers left jobs in droves in the 2021 Great Resignation. “When leaders lack empathy, fail to communicate clearly, or prioritize their own interests over the well-being of their employees, it can lead to a toxic environment.”[2:13] As Marcel says, toxic work culture is not built overnight, it happens with consistently poor behavior in leadership that seeps into every aspect of the organization. “It is about bringing our deepest sense of right, authentic caring, and highest ideals to business. It is about achieving success beyond success, measured in the flourishing of human lives.” [4:41] Marcel quotes  CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, Bob Chapman, to emphasize his point on the importance of prioritizing people over profit.Mentioned in this episode:Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Marshall Goldsmith is a renowned executive coach recognized as the #1 Leadership Thinker in the World. His latest book is The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment.Quotes:“So if you’ve ever been caught in a cycle of regret—and I think that’s most of us—Marshall is here to tell us how to remove the obstacles that prevent us from creating our own fulfilling lives. And who better to help us remove those obstacles than the #1 ranked executive coach in the world.” [3:47] Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is an expert in building a fulfilling life. He joined us on the podcast to have this all-too-important conversation. “A lot of my life is just great mentors."  [5:47] Marshall took us through his story—how he got to where he is today, and what he learned along the way. It’s a true rags-to-riches story. Marshall talks about how his book impacts already-successful people and what that has taught him about life. “Part of the problem with goal achievement is that you can forget your aspiration.” [10:19] As Marshall says, achieving goals is important, but it’s critical not to overvalue these goals. If you stumble into that pitfall, you’ll find that: “You can forget to enjoy the process of life.” [10:28]“Never become attached to achievement. Never become attached to results. It’s a fool's game for two reasons. One is, you don’t have total control over the results. Two is, let’s say, you achieve the results. How much satisfaction does that bring?” [13:00] “An earned life makes only a few demands of us.” [18:47 Marshall points to the importance of living your own life and not living through social media or the internet. Marshall discusses “the every breath paradigm.” [24:20] As a practicing Buddhist, Marshall holds the ‘every breath paradigm’ at the core of his day-to-day life. Every time you wake up, you get a fresh start. Life isn’t just a series of successes; you constantly get chances to start over and turn over a new leaf. Marshall and I agree: “We choose to become who we want rather than holding on to our past.” [27:53]At the end of the day, Marshall’s self-proclaimed mission is simple. “My bigger mission is to help people before I die and after I die.” [38:51] We ended with some really profound advice from Marshall. “We’re going through hard times, and it’s important to have a support group.” [42:22] The past couple years have been tough on all of us. So it’s critical to have a support system around you for times like these. Mentioned in this episode:Marshall Goldsmith: www.marshallgoldsmith.comSend Marcel a text message!

Sally Helgesen is the world’s premier expert on women’s leadership and the author of Rising Together.  She became the first person to write about inclusion in the workplace in 1995 with her book, The Web of Inclusion. In this episode of Love in Action, Sally and Marcel discuss the nuances of triggers and inclusive behaviors. Quotes:“A trigger is a situation, or person, or a comment that stirs an emotional response in us.” [15:15] Whether it’s anger, shock, resentment, or horror, these emotional responses can be triggered by many factors, including race, ethnicity, age, and much more. These triggers lie well outside our circle of control but can become a major concern. Sally Helgesen’s goal with her book, Rising Together, is to take a look at the workplace and answer the question: How do we find a positive path forward for ourselves and the co-worker who has triggered us?“Telling ourselves this different story gives us a potential positive path forward.” [20:20] Visibility is one of the big triggers Sally talks about in her book. She explains many situations and reasons why one may become triggered by visibility. The solution: Rewrite the script. Put a positive spin on it (you don't even have to truly believe it) and come through to the colleague who triggered you in a way that validates your idea.“Being professional in a situation, being clear about your intentions, and engaging from your heart is a lot more important than always trying to demonstrate your own authenticity.” [31:35] What are you trying to say?! This is a big trigger that comes from being around diverse groups in the workplace and not being comfortable. Whether it's understanding cultures and religions, learning pronouns, or remembering and pronouncing different names, it’s important to make the effort with clear and professional intentions.“It’s not fair! We are so triggered by fairness. It really cuts to the bottom of our self esteem and our ability to make a contribution.” [35:20] Trigger number 5 from the book and the final one discussed in this episode is fairness. The reality is that it’s not a fair world, and it’s not a fair workplace. Sally shares how rewriting the script and opening dialogue in an “unfair” situation to get all the information before reacting.“What can I do to offer this person the benefit of my good will?” [42:12] The steps to bridge the gap to a more inclusive workplace come from generosity, grace, and the benefit of your goodwill. This is the other half of writing those positive scripts, which involves building relationships and positivity across the lines of gender, race, age, or ethnicity.Mentioned in this episode:Sally HelgesenSally Helgesen on LinkedInAll Rise with Sally HelgesenRISING TOGETHER: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Enjoy this sneak peek for Marcel Schwantes’s Fall 2024 upcoming book. Marcel shares something too many managers are missing, 3 attributes that make up the best leaders.Show Notes: “In transparent work cultures, you can count on the guardians of the culture, trusted team members and associates, to watch out for politics or favoritism behind the scenes and squash such behaviors as soon as it happens.” [2:54] Marcel starts his list of the three attributes of the best leaders with transparency. The best leaders are role models of transparency, allowing no room for toxic behavior.“One-on-one meetings don't have to have an agenda. They're used mostly to find out how things are going and whether people have questions or concerns about the business or a particular strategy in play.” [5:20] Winning attribute number 2, The best leaders don't neglect the power of one-on-one meetings. Marcel shares two simple questions for these meetings that affirm the employee's value and voice and spawn great ideas for how to run the business better.“Psychological safety curbs the fear that historically makes it difficult for workers to think clearly and act confidently on their own to make decisions. It helps to eliminate the authoritarian tactics of bosses yelling at workers for making mistakes or not knowing things."  [7:10] The best leaders foster an environment of psychological safety. Marcel shares the research between this term coined by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, who explains it as ‘a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.’Mentioned in this episode:Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!