Many years ago I had a customer service job in which I talked to clients on the phone all day. Although customers had a regular schedule of weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly calls, may called more frequently, just to chat.
I had one client, an older lady who lived alone, who called frequently, and ended every call by saying "I love you!". I always answered "I love you" back! Every morning, when they heard that "I love you", the team members sitting near me would smile and say, "I guess you are just off your call with Ms. XXXX"!" It made everyone's day!
Because truth is, at work, at home and in the community, everyone wants to belong and everyone wants to be loved!
Years later, as a coach and consultant with my own business, I frequently find myself saying "I love you" to my clients. And things like "I love when you...or I love the way you..." Love isn't just a word that I use at home with my family, it's a word that I use when I have my Leader Hat on at work and in the community as well.
Why?
Well, first of all because it is true! I love the people that I'm working with and love the effort energy and passion that they are putting into their work. Second, because I know that knowing that I care deeply for them helps them have the courage to step out into the uncomfortable learning zone so that they can flourish, blossom and thrive.
That's because all living things, whether they be plants, animals, or people at work learn, grow and blossom in the same way! Through being treated with kindness and love.
So today, on Valentine's Day, when you have your Leader Hat on in formal and informal circumstances at work and in the community, please take the time to let those who follow you know they are loved!
One client of mine, who has a huge dental practice, is handing out heart-shaped notes to the doctors to write messages of love and kindness to the assistants and hygienists. Assistants, hygienists and other staff will have heart-shaped notes to share words of thanks, kindness and love to other team members and doctors! And patients will each get a heart and be encouraged to write a note of love and kindness to one of the staff members. The heart shaped notes will be posted all around the office the office for the whole month of February! That way, everyone will be able to "feel the love"!
Kind Leaders know that everyone wants their efforts to be appreciated, and to know that you care about them not just for the work that they do, but because they are the fabulous human beings that they are!
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love you all!
