Leading with Love: How Joy and Connection Power Great Work

By Meryl Eriksen

At Compassionate Leaders Circle, we believe it’s time to challenge that hesitation. Love belongs in the workplace. And not just as a nice-to-have—it’s a catalyst for happier, more committed employees, which in turn fuels performance, growth, and innovation.

Leading with love is about deep care, presence, commitment, compassion, and connection. It’s the kind of love that makes people feel seen, supported, and safe. And when people feel that, something powerful emerges: joy.

Love and joy are deeply connected, like sunlight and warmth—one flows into the other. When we feel loved—truly seen, accepted, and encouraged—we’re more likely to feel joy. And when we feel joyful, we’re more open to giving and receiving love.

It creates a loop. A generous, life-giving loop.

Love Is a Decision, Not Just a Feeling

1. Scott Peck defines love as “the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s growth.”

That definition matters—because it shifts love from being a passive feeling to an active choice. Love at work is a decision and a practice. It asks us to extend ourselves—sometimes when we’re tired, frustrated, or unsure—to nurture someone else’s growth. And sometimes, to nurture our own.

This is not a weakness. It’s leadership.

What Love Looks Like at Work

Love in the workplace might look like really listening, meeting people where they are, or helping them grow into better contributors, better leaders, and better humans.

It might mean saying:

“I understand you’re going through a hard time. How can I support you?”
And then meaning it.

One of my favorite examples comes from a leadership program I facilitated. At a company dinner, I met a woman who told me how her boss responded when she shared she was struggling with mental health while raising two small children. The next day, she came home to find home-cooked meals waiting for her—some ready to eat, others for the freezer—and a note that said, “I hope this helps a little bit.”

Turns out, at the end of the interaction, I realized the boss was my sister! (I am so proud, but not surprised.) She didn’t need a budget or a policy. She just cared. That’s love at work.

Love in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces

In today’s world, many of us are leading remotely or in hybrid settings. We don’t have hallway chats or coffee line check-ins. Physical distance can dilute connections—unless we choose to bridge them.

Love in a virtual workplace might look like:

• Taking five extra minutes at the start of a Zoom call to genuinely check in.
  
  
• Sending a message after a tough meeting: “I saw how much you carried there—how are you really doing?”
  
  
• Noticing who’s been quiet in the chat and reaching out.
  
  

These small acts keep people feeling seen and valued, no matter the distance.

Three Everyday Practices to Lead with Love

1. Connection – Put down your phone, turn your chair, look someone in the eye. Presence says: I see you. You matter.
   
   
2. Compassionate Communication – Love is honest and direct. Telling the truth kindly is one of the most compassionate things a leader can do.
   
   
3. Celebration – Be quick to celebrate progress, not just perfection. Recognize effort. Call out kindness.
   
   

Love Is Not “Soft”

In my years as a consultant, I’ve seen the hardest situations call for the deepest love. For example, I have had to support managers who worked with someone battling addiction. He tried everything to support them—resources, flexibility, adjusted shifts. At one point, he had to say, If you get sober, your job is here. If not, this chapter ends.

Years later, when they connected again, they hugged in a way that said everything without words.

Love is not a distraction from results. It’s the foundation for them.

Why It Matters for Organizations

When leaders choose to lead with love:

• People stay.
  
  
• They grow.
  
  
• They innovate.
  
  
• They trust.
  
  

And as Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2023 report shows, organizations with high employee engagement—driven by feeling valued and cared for—are 21% more profitable.

At CLC, we’ve seen companies transform when love and joy are not an add-on, but a core strategy.

Your Invitation

You don’t need a new title or a special program to lead with love. You just need a shift in perspective—and practice.

Start small:

• Connect deeper – Slow down. See people fully. Listen with your whole self.
  
  
• Communicate with honesty and care – Give feedback or appreciation with the intent to nurture growth.
  
  
• Celebrate someone today – Acknowledge effort, kindness, and contributions.
  
  

Love grows love. Joy grows joy. When we lead with both, we change what’s possible.