Love in Action

Show Notes:“I see purpose as being the engine that drives meaning”. [15:48] There is no transcendent singular purpose in life, there are many levels, for example, transformative and transactional, like in our work and relationships. Stephen Van Valin, author of  The Search for Meaning at Work, explains how as we make progress toward these purposes, a sense of meaning kicks in, furthering motivation towards the purpose. “How do you become friends with your co-workers when you gotta get stuff done!?” [27:00] Co-Host Robb Holman asks this facetious question when it comes to one of the 11 amplifiers of meaning, a work partner. Steve says creating relationships needs to be purposeful; we need to make connections, whether we’re virtual or in the office. He has some great personal and work questions to get those connections going, like, what gets you stressed at work?“Clear goals, hardstop deadlines, and being communicative and recognizing when they happen will set you up for success when you have even bigger challenges the next time.” [33:41] How do you amplify the team? Steve makes the analogy of a work team to a sports team, showing how they rally together and galvanize toward a common goal. The bottom line is doing the job together while having fun and enjoying each other to be unified. “It’s about managers realizing that people wanna please them, and then being able to play that back to people… by really thinking about what difference did it make that will help people feel like they matter in this equation.” [39:53] So many of our listeners are leaders in their organizations, so really tune into the manager amplifier. Steve brings up a popular phrase, ‘catch people doing good’. So many employees want to be noticed, given respect, and appreciated. By catching the good managers, they are perpetuating and continuing that winning behavior. “You can’t just check your soul at the door and come to work for someplace that is not aligned with your values.” [44:55] As Steve says, the spirituality amplifier guides all decisions in our lives. If it's not at least in alignment at work, those with a strong tie to spirituality or faith will be the first to leave. “Step outside yourself as a leader and think about the purpose of those people within your purview  and the purpose they have for their life whether it's transactional, transformational, or even transcendent and then how you can amplify that back to them to help them feel the meaning at work.” [50:43] Challenging you to step outside yourself, Steve explains that by amplifying your employee, co-worker, and team's purposes, you are not only getting a lot done but also creating a sustainable relationship in the workplace. Mentioned in this episode:www.amplifymeaning.comThe Search for Meaning at Work: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Purpose to Engage and Fulfill Your WorkforceSteve Van Valin on LinkedInRobb HolmanMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Show-Notes:“We’ve gotten to a state that I see as toxic… it’s an environment where half of Americans have become estranged from someone in their own family over politics… That trickles into the workplace, neighborhoods, buildings and communities.” [12:50] Dr. Peter T. Coleman, author of The Way Out, explains what Political Polarization is. A little polarization, choice, and differing views are healthy and even good for change and progression. BUT we have gone beyond ‘a little polarization’ through media, the internet, and current society; we have gotten completely toxic.“The shocks that took place in the 60’s set us off on a path and there hasn’t been a real correction since then.” [21:58] How did we get here? How did we get to such a place of division and polarization? Dr. Coleman brings it back to the 60’s, a time of major shocks from assassinations and anti-government movements. Events like 9/11 or even COVID, which should have united us and brought us together, have further separated and divided us, creating further contention. “We all end up living in these parallel universes where we can believe what they believe, and vice versa.” [23:54] My reality versus your reality— Dr. Coleman calls this ‘American Psychosis’. This is a broken and disillusioned mindset that has occurred due to the isolation, segregation, and extreme polarization characterized by extreme differing political views.“So many of us feel powerless because we can't change structures at the government level, we can't change the way the media follows a narrative, or the algorithms in social media.” [38:14] Marcel brings to light the feelings of so many who are stuck and feel miserable with this current division. But how can we make change? How can we nudge forward?“We get comfortable in our story, our narrative, our values. You have to push yourself to branch out and get other voices.” [40:30] What’s a step toward the way out of toxic polarization? Dr. Coleman suggests finding three ‘frenemies’, trusted people on the other side, and those with differing points of view. You don’t have to understand or agree, but you need to hear them out and make space for differing perspectives. This helps you break past your limited reality.“Can you find somebody…  it might be in your family, it might be at work, or in your community... that you can reach out to and just listen?” [47:53] Among some of the systems used week by week to break through the polarization, Dr. Coleman encourages you to seek out someone you may know who you don’t see eye to eye with. You can end the meeting agreeing to disagree, but take a walk, get out in nature, and just listen. You may find out you have something to learn on both sides!“If you can try and get a sense of ‘I can do this... I can try this out...,’ that gives people a sense of hope. It gives people a sense of efficacy that they can actually do something.” [53:00] Dr. Coleman hopes his readers find hope in his book. We all feel miserable, anxious and lost and it’s important to have a sense of hope and possibility. Mentioned in this episode:The Way OutPeter T. Coleman (@PeterTColeman1) on Twitter How to Save the U.S. From a Second Civil War | TimePolitical Courage ChallengeStarts With UsBridging Divides InitiativeMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Show Notes:“Really what I focus my work on is helping people and helping companies figure out, in the very crowded marketplace, how they can get their best ideas heard.” [8:08] Dorie Clark introduces the inspiration behind her work and her book, The Long Game.“During COVID, it’s almost like forget the long term game, everybody’s all of a sudden in reactionary mode. How do we pivot!?” [10:50] Marcel comments on the broad shift in short term versus long term thinking due to COVID-19 and changes necessary from the pandemic shutdown.“We’re forced into doing long term thinking if there are specific goals we want to attain.” [14:50] Why is long term thinking so hard? Dorie shares a quote she included in her book as she explains the motivation and pain points surrounding long term thinking. “Why is it that we can’t stop this relentless, short term, crazy busy, ‘FOMO’. ‘I can’t measure myself up to the standards of these celebrities’ that causes a lot of anxiety for me, and unrealistic expectations. We just get busier and busier and busier. So how do we stop this pursuit?” [16:37] Marcel questions why we, as a culture, feel the need to be unrealistically busy.“I threw myself into work, as a way of just distracting myself. The way that I think about it is like how they put patients into a medically induced coma so that their bodies can heal, because if they were awake, they just couldn’t take it. So work can be like your medically induced coma.” [21:48] Dorie shares a personal experience as part of her reasoning for throwing herself into work and staying busy, making the comparison to overworking as a “medically induced coma”.“All the forces are going to be mitigating against it because it's always more convenient for other people if you say yes to them. So nobody is going to help you with this.” [24:22] It’s easy and sometimes the right thing to say yes often when you’re early in your career. But Dorie stresses that at a pivotal point in your business, you have to start farming the things that are already working and no longer hoping that every small opportunity might turn into something. “So one of the ways that we can really focus on the long term is having a clear, defining North Star.” [27:28] Marcel asks Dorie to elaborate on what it means to find your North Star—the idea of reinventing yourself or instead remaining stagnant.“The strength that we have as professionals, and the thing that actually makes us valuable, is understanding that different things, different skills, are called for at different times. And you have to be smart enough to understand when and how to apply those skills. ” [32:00] Dorie explains the 4 career waves in her book: Learning, Creating, Connecting and Reaping.“What I think is a valuable thing for us to notice, and to recognize, and to reward is oftentimes in any journey that is a fairly significant one, there is a vast distance between the time when you commit to something and the time you reap the reward for doing it. And in between it is NOT a steady progression.” [41:35] Dorie, in closing, highlights the remarkability of being the kind of person who can preserve under the conditions of long term thinking. She shares about her free self assessment for Long Game Strategic Thinking. Mentioned in this episode:Download the free Long Game Strategic Thinking Self-AssessmentDorie ClarkDorie Clark (@dorieclark) on TwitterDorie Clark on FacebookSend Marcel a text message!

Show Notes:“In You, Me, We, what we’re doing is empowering all of us to go first. Instead of asking, “Do I have a best friend at work?" ask the question, "Am I a friend at work?” [14:55] Morag talks about her reframing of the Gallup question, "Do you have a best friend at work?” and puts the emphasis on the individual to ensure friendship at work by BEING a friend. “Being a friend at work does not mean I want to take you home to meet my mother. It means that for this project in this organization, we can work respectfully together to achieve the same result that ultimately means success for all.” [19:19] A lot of people might be turned off by the term “best friend” at work, but it doesn’t have to mean anything outside of work. If your work friendship bleeds into your outside friendship, great, but if not, that’s okay too.“When you leave the room or announce you’re moving on to pastures new, is there a collective sigh of relief from your team or a sigh of, I’m gonna miss you?” [22:53] Marcel asks Morag about what an ally is or how one can be a best friend at work. Morag talks about the two parts of knowing if people consider you an ally at work.“Give to help make other people better.” [29:59] The first practice of the Ally Mindset is abundance and generosity. How can we give in a way that fits in our priorities to enable you and others to be the best? What’s a great way for a leader to give? Mentorship - just like Marcel’s old boss Bruce.“Being able to ask for help, being able to give help and accept it…that only comes when we have human connection.” [34:50] The second practice of the Ally Mindset is Connection and Compassion, in the ebb and flow of colleague needs and struggles, how are you easing their load? Knowing your co-workers' stories and their backgrounds helps you connect to them on a deeper level and not only helps you see their strengths and assets to be used as a team but also the areas in which you can step up and help them. “What have we agreed to do? How are you moving forward? And taking personal accountability?”  [40:55] The last practice of the Ally Mindset is Action and Accountability. The previous ideas are easy to talk about, but putting them into action consistently is where the work comes in. Morag elaborates on this practice as a way to keep accountability sans the dreaded passive aggression. “I’ve learned that bringing my human to work, letting that mask fall down, is the differentiator.” [42:38] How do we lead with practical, actionable, and professional love in the workplace as leaders? Morag presents a challenge to the listeners to LOOK UP, SHOW UP and STEP UP one day, one conversation at a time.“We have to come to the table. We have to begin to listen to each other. We have to at least be present with one another to understand someone else’s perspective and show up with our empathy.” [45:35] Marcel echoes Morag’s final thoughts about the divisiveness, not just in the workplace, but  also in the world.Mentioned in this episode:Ally Mindset™ ProfileYou, Me, We - SkyeTeamMorag Barrett on  LinkedInMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Show Notes:“The business world wrongly assumes love to be an emotion rather than a behavior or an action that leads to tangible results.” [00:53] Love is not just a fuzzy emotion; when used as a business strategy, it is a powerful agent of change and growth. This is the force behind Love in Action and Marcel’s work to promote leadership practices founded in love. “As the workplace becomes steeped in the digital age, as AI and Chat GPT become ever-present, and as human-like robots and automation begin to change every industry around the world, here’s a reality check: the workplace has changed forever. We are never going back."  [1:45] Regardless of our technological advances, humans are, at our core, designed to connect relationally. Leaders must adapt accordingly and continue to operate with humanity, even in the digital age. “In one study, researchers also found that a culture of love led to higher levels of employee engagement, greater teamwork, and employee satisfaction...  This kind of love in action improves performance and leads to better results for everyone. It is truly the future of work.” [3:30] Marcel announces his new book, The Future of Work is Human, to be released in the fall of 2024. Packed in this book will be six Love in Action principles backed by research and studies just like this one.  Mentioned in this episode:Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Show Notes:“Harvard Business Review found that half of millennials and 75% of Gen Z’s have quit their job for mental health reasons”. [2:50] Regardless of generation, the mental health epidemic is a huge problem. Robb Holman quotes this study and discusses the impact leaders must have to not only keep these groups from quitting their jobs but also help them thrive and succeed in the workplace. “As leaders and managers, we’ve got to know... We’ve got to have a finger on the pulse of how our people are doing and opening up conversations.” [6:09] Robb talks about how genuine connection happens when leaders open up the highway of communication that release transparency.“Our human nature is that we long for connection, and we want to feel connected to our peers, co-workers, and especially our bosses." [8:10] Post COVID we are reeling from the effects of being disconnected in the workplace. Marcel points back to science, and research supports the need for relational aspects at work. “In order to boost the mental health of your employees, you need to take care of yourself first if you’re a leader.” [11:22] How can managers and CEOs lead others if they themselves are dysregulated? Modeling the way to highly engaged, motivated, and emotional wellbeing has to, as Marcel says, start at the top of the hierarchy. “We need to take a 10-minute break to calm down our brain activity.” [17:30] Neuroscience says that when working intensely for 80 to 120 minutes, we need to de-stimulate for about 10 minutes. Marcel recommends that leaders not only practice themselves but encourage employees to do the same. “How do I build a great leadership team to take our company forward?” [21:59] In the Mailbag segment, Robin from Vancouver, Canada, shares how, as her company is growing, leadership problems are arising. Robb and Marcel talk through her challenges. From Robb, he encourages that once she has the right people in the right places to allow voices to be heard and valued. Marcel talks about the importance of modeling organizational values and virtues and finding people or leaders who embodies those values and virtues.Mentioned in this episode:Robb HolmanMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Show Notes:“In a deep moment of introspection, I realized [the business failure] wasn’t the market conditions, this wasn’t our customers, this wasn’t our team; this was actually MY fault.” [07:21] When his company, Softway, was just about to go bankrupt, Mohammad sought advice in an unexpected place, football. It is via an interview with Houston’s coach that he discovered the impact of love in a team that could truly transform his leadership and his business. “I asked at a town hall meeting of 100+ employees, if trust had improved between them and I...and only two people raised their hands''. [24:55] A year and a half into his journey of changing his ways, policies, and behavior as a person and a leader, this was a wake up call response. Mohammad, after deep reflection, realized he could not build trust until he sought forgiveness for the leader he once was, and that was when it all shifted. “You might have coworkers who mistreat you, bosses who mistreat you, but you look at all the perks and benefits, and those are just temporary golden handcuffs on your wrists.” [30:20] Take a look at companies with infamously good culture offerings: free food, leisure activities, etc. Are these contributing to a positive culture, or are they, as Mohammad calls them, "golden handcuffs" - benefits and perks that allow employees to overlook toxic workplace habits? “Culture is nothing but the emotional environment of how we feel about one another, how we treat one another, and how we behave with one another." [30:40] Mohammad shares an impactful definition of culture, and it all goes back to the impact your behavior has. If you want to change culture, you must change your behavior, and it starts all the way at the top with the CEO and founder “We realized that the secret sauce was that these 6 behaviors were exhibited by everyone in the company: inclusion, empathy, vulnerability, trust, empowerment, and forgiveness.” [34:20]  Mohammad looked into the success of his company to see what was truly working and making all this success come together after his leadership shift. He wrote in his book,  Love as a Business Strategy, about these six pillars he found in his workplace that work together like the cylinders of a car engine toward harmony and high performance. “As leaders, we have to build self awareness of our own behaviors and understand how we think we are coming across versus how people are actually experiencing us.” [49:33] Mohammad’s journey, at its core, is all about self awareness; he noticed his behavior and how it was impacting his team and his company, and he changed. Many believe toxic leaders can’t change and that it won’t have an impact, but he is proof that the culture and behaviors present in your business will affect the bottom line every time. Mentioned in this episode:Mohammad Anwar  on LinkedInMohammad Anwar on FacebookMohammad Anwar (@mfanwar) on InstagramCulture+Softway SolutionsLove as a Business Strategy PodcastMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Robb Holman is back to co-host alongside Marcel Schwantes as they go through the rarely discussed business topic of grief. Grief has a big effect on employees at work, and Robb gives helpful tips on how organizations can be more helpful during this time."The true cost of grief in the workplace is often underestimated." [4:55] Robb walks through what The Recovery Village has to say about grieving at work. Employees need to schedule support and flexibility around grief, but many workplaces fail to address these needs openly. Daily stress levels of grieving employees can lead to poor decision-making and increased risk for things like addiction and injury."In order for people to be productive, we’ve got to nurture the heart." [8:53] Robb and Marcel discuss a real-life example of how grief affected a manager at work and the importance of bereavement leave policies. Grieving people need the time and space to get well. In a healthy workplace, people huddle around and support those in need. "If we want to be resilient, grieving is a topic of conversation that needs to be infused into that. If we don’t, if we just continue in the name of resilience, we will run dry." [12:02] Robb discusses the importance of leaders being in touch with their own grief and mental health. When leaders have a handle on what’s going on in their personal lives, they can show up better and provide more support for their staff. "I think everyone grieves differently." [13:29]   Robb highlights four unique ways people react to and deal with grief in their lives. For some, it is a very physical process. Others prefer talking to a friend or a professional or grieving through prayer and meditation. Marcel touches on the importance of finding a supportive community."The biggest resource I can offer somebody right now... is to find a support community." [14:34]  Marcel talks about what someone can find by coming to an environment where there are people to support them and love on them through the grieving process."If we want to make sure to greatly serve, encourage, and support those on our team and in our lives, it starts with each one of us." [16:42]  It’s important to be aware of the different types of grieving, some of which are more subtle. Grieving doesn’t always mean someone died. Layoffs and job losses can be a tragic event to process, especially if you’re the primary earner in the family. Other tragic non-death events include divorce, moving to a new location, and drastic workplace changes."The most aspirational aspect of leadership is to look at the whole person and not just as an employee." [21:34] Marcel talks about how a leader shouldn’t look at employees as an 8 am–5 pm transaction. If things aren’t going well at home, chances are it’s going to disrupt them in the workplace. Taking the time to find out what’s going on in their employees’ lives helps leaders be better sources of support."Remain committed with your team members, with your people, to engage in an ongoing process of how they’re feeling throughout the change." [25:24]  Robb answers the mailbag segment about how to support employees through a merger or an acquisition. A willingness to be honest with emotions allows leaders to enter into a shared space with their team, which helps them feel less alone. Marcel touches on how leaders sometimes lose their identity and the importance of coming back to shared values. Mentioned In This Episode:Robb HolmanThe Recovery Village article on GriefMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Thousands of the world’s leading brands and retailers trust Bazaarvoice technology, services, and expertise to drive revenue, extend reach, gain actionable insights, and create loyal advocates. Visit bazaarvoice.com to learn more about how they can help your brand with user-generated content solutions, sampling campaigns, social media commerce and publishing, and more. Show-Notes:“We had to talk about mental, physical, and emotional health. It wasn’t easy at first, but it was so worth it.” [12:45] Keith Nealon talks about how he, as the CEO of Bazaarvoice, acknowledged mental health challenges. He focused on vulnerability and different employee situations to make sure no employee felt alone.“We’ve had a lot of discussions on finding those things that fill your cup or fill your soul, not simply occupying the mind.” [18:25] Creating outlets, supplying mental health support services, and clearly defining priorities are some of the ways, among many others, that Bazaarvoice is using to support their employees against burnout.“You have to normalize this issue of mental health and well-being, and bring it into every conversation.” [30:14] This important idea cannot come out of nowhere; it needs to be intentional and talked about. Keith shares how he related and shared his personal experiences and toolbox with his staff. The offering of helpful apps, services, and policies like “no meeting therapy” helps normalize this initiative.“If folks see the CEO is human and not superhuman, there is less fear about admitting the issues.” [32:40] Keith is setting an example as a CEO of his humanness and how it's okay to talk about this topic. It is the leader's responsibility to break the stigma and create an environment where employees feel safe to open up. “There is culture, and then there is connection.” [35:34] How do you keep up with company culture when everyone is spread out and working remotely? Keith names many ways they create connections, including company all-hands meetings, department all-hands meetings, in-office events, fun-focused Slack chats, and an employee-led “culture crew”. All of these feed into the positive human connection and fun environment at Bazaarvoice.“The leadership of the company is a reflection of that love that I want to bring into the organization.” [40:27] From the familiar saying, ‘people leave managers, not jobs’, Keith highlights the importance of choosing caring, empathetic leaders to reach the employees. With over 1300 employees across the globe, Keith can be with everyone, so by making choosing the right leaders a focus in his role, he can greatly impact his staff with love.Mentioned in this episode:Bazaarvoice Bazaarvoice ROI Calculatorkeith.nealon@bazaarvoice.com Keith Nealon @keithnealon on TwitterForrester Consulting Study Modern Health Marcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!

Show Notes:“You don’t just wake up one day and say hey I’m gonna go rob a bank; there are things that kind of ultimately ease you up to that space.” [18:42] As Fox and Rob tell the story of how they met, their future seemed so bright. When did robbing a bank become a considerable option and what happens to take your mind to go to such an extreme place? Rob explains all of the circumstances and exhausted options that derailed their family plans.“The American Dream Syndrome is a science, it’s the foolish desire to achieve the American Dream by all means necessary.” [22:10] Rob's story is like many others, who are fueled by success with clouded judgment. An explanation for their choice to rob a bank is bound in this definition of what he also calls Urban Survival Syndrome.“Everything that we needed, we already had. We had each other and we had our freedom.” [24:12] Fox shares that it was an immediate realization that they had just destroyed the very thing they had been trying to save. Not days later, or at the trial sentencing, but as soon as she heard the police sirens that day.“This is the 21st century, in the United States of America, and Systemic Racism is still going on.”[33:30] Fox and Rob are college-educated individuals, Rob served in the US Navy, and this crime was his first offense. Yet he was still sentenced to 60 years in prison. The sentencing story is one that will shock and enrage you at the injustices still present. “To be free is to free others." [54:57] Rich Family Ministries is the social justice ministry that Fox and Rob began after his release, helping others with law education and information that may have found themselves in a similar situation. No one better than this family can prove that time is valuable, and since beginning the ministry they have saved a collective 3300 years of served prison sentences. “Love conquers all; it is the most divine chemical in the universe.”[58:50] Their new book, Time, is Fox and Rob’s untold story about love and strength. And while this interview might not be like others, the message of love is more powerful than ever.  Mentioned in this episode:FoxandRobFox and Rob Rich (@foxandrob) on InstagramFoxandRob on FacebookFoxandRob - YouTubeRich Family MinistriesMarcel SchwantesSend Marcel a text message!