“If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.”
~Benjamin Franklin

Recently I’ve had quite a few conversations around the concept of “love as a verb.” I’ve shared the Stephen Covey story of the couple who approaches a learned man for guidance. “We don’t love each other,” they share. “What should we do?” “Then love each other” is the counsel they receive.

Love as a verb – what a concept. I have found that acting as if you love someone, doing what you would do for them if you did love them, somehow this approach reinstates the feelings of love, or at least compassion. Even when love is too strong a word for the work place, the same approach works there as well.

A client recently shared with me a story of the colleague who was driving her crazy. Based on the details she shared, she had every reason to be annoyed with this person, yet what was that annoyance getting her in the long run? Projects weren’t getting completed; tension existed in the office – certainly her approach wasn’t making things better.

“Love is a verb,” I shared, “and so is respect. Look for something, anything, you can appreciate, love, or respect about this person, and hold onto it. Then see what happens.” When we treat people as if they do matter to us, as if we enjoy being with them – when we treat them with love and respect – somehow that’s what we get back.

Whom do you need to actively “love” or “respect?” Please leave a comment.

The next time someone truly drives you crazy, stop, pause, and interact with them as you would if you enjoyed them. See what happens.

If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.


For support in bringing more “love” to work, contact Robyn at rmcleod@chatsworthconsulting.com.

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