Love Lead Change

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Chris Hirst, CEO of Bespak, discussing the importance of love in leadership and workplace culture. Chris shares his journey from laboratory work to CEO, emphasizing the significance of trust, care, and values in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation explores the impact of a loving workplace on employee engagement, loyalty, and overall company success, highlighting the need for leaders to prioritize their own well-being while nurturing their teams.TakeawaysLove is central to effective leadership.A positive workplace culture fosters trust and care.Engagement and loyalty are results of a caring environment.Leaders should reflect on their own experiences to shape their approach.Celebrating small wins is crucial for team morale.Transparency and open communication build trust.Values-driven leadership attracts and retains talent.Creating a sense of belonging enhances employee satisfaction.Self-care is essential for effective leadership.Leading with love correlates with high performance.Sound Bites"A loving workplace means trust and care.""I respond better to leaders who trust me.""It's a journey of everyone, not just me.""Celebrating small wins is important.""We owe it to people to make work a good place.""Leading with love drives performance."Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Loving Leadership02:48 - Chris Hirst's Journey to CEO06:08 - Defining a Loving Workplace08:56 - The Impact of Trust and Care11:50 - Personal Experiences Shaping Leadership15:11 - Practices of Loving Leadership18:04 - Self-Care and Leadership Challenges20:47 - Building a Positive Company Culture24:03 - Values-Driven Leadership26:55 - Creating a Fulfilling Work Environment29:48 - Reflections and InsightsSubscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Chris Hirst - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Gary Keough, a former Global Marketing Director and a leader in psychological safety. They explore themes of leadership, kindness, self-love, and the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making. Gary shares his journey and insights on how to unlock potential in teams, the significance of creating a psychologically safe environment, and the balance between compassion and accountability in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to listen actively and to foster an environment where team members feel valued and empowered to share their ideas.TakeawaysUnlocking potential is a key leadership goal.Kindness in leadership is about empathy and honesty.Psychological safety allows for open communication.Diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making.Self-love is essential for effective leadership.Leaders should actively listen to their teams.Feedback should be constructive and supportive.Creating a safe environment encourages innovation.Compassion and accountability can coexist in leadership.Leadership is about empowering others, not just making decisions.Sound Bites"Kindness is a level of empathy.""Self-care is a holistic view.""Stop guessing about your team's feelings.""Listen really, really well.""You can do compassion and accountability.""Be your authentic self."Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Weekend Reflections02:25 - Introducing Gary Keough: A Leader in Psychological Safety03:50 - Unlocking and Igniting Potential in Leadership06:46 - The Importance of Kindness in Leadership08:09 - Experiences Shaping Leadership Philosophy12:48 - Loving Your Team: Practices and Impacts15:33 - The Role of Diverse Perspectives in Decision Making18:22 - Launching a 60-Year-Old Whiskey: A Case Study20:17 - Self-Love and Its Challenges for Leaders22:42 - Measuring Psychological Safety in Teams25:31 - Positive Feedback Loops in Leadership27:56 - Pride in Leadership: Making a Difference29:25 - Advice for New Leaders: The Power of Listening33:46 - Balancing Compassion and Accountability in Leadership36:30 - Final Thoughts on Authentic LeadershipSubscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Gary Keogh - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Kate Blackburn, the Director of Public Health for Wiltshire. They explore the essence of loving leadership, the importance of team dynamics, and the personal experiences that shape leadership philosophies. Kate shares her journey, emphasising the significance of love in the workplace, the challenges of self-love, and practical strategies for fostering a supportive team environment. The conversation highlights the transformative power of laughter, connection, and purpose in leadership, offering valuable insights for current and aspiring leaders.TakeawaysPurposeful people bring about change.Co-regulating with your team fosters connection.Love in the workplace is about respect and guidance.Personal experiences shape leadership philosophies.Development days can enhance team bonding.Celebrating small wins boosts team morale.Creating a safe space encourages open communication.Self-love is crucial for effective leadership.Finding joy in work enhances overall performance.People are the source of hope in challenging times.Sound Bites"Listen to the way that Kate talks about her team.""It's not just the fluffy being nice to each other.""I think love is a tricky word, isn't it?""People give me hope each and every day.""Keep changing your world by leading with love."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Loving Leadership03:42 Kate Blackburn's Leadership Journey06:37 The Importance of Love in Leadership08:02 Personal Experiences Shaping Leadership Philosophy10:23 Practices for Loving Your Team16:54 Challenges of Self-Love in Leadership20:42 Pride in Leadership and Team Growth22:04 Advice for New Leaders24:27 Finding Hope in Challenging TimesSubscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Hosts:Renée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this conversation, Jim Loter discusses the concept of loving leadership, emphasizing the importance of love in the workplace and how it can enhance team dynamics and employee satisfaction. He reflects on his personal experiences and the challenges of integrating love into leadership practices, while also addressing the potential pitfalls of misapplying these concepts. The discussion highlights the need for leaders to be intentional and mindful in their approach to fostering a compassionate and purpose-driven work environment. Jim unveils the complexities of leadership, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, self-love, and the need for authentic connections in the workplace. He reflects on personal experiences, the challenges of maintaining a loving leadership style, and offers advice for new leaders navigating today's uncertain environment. The dialogue highlights the significance of recognizing one's strengths and flaws, fostering a supportive culture, and remaining hopeful amidst challenges.TakeawaysLove in the workplace connects actions to a higher purpose.Loving leadership can lead to better employee retention.Compassionate leadership benefits both employees and organizations.Leaders must navigate power dynamics carefully.Healthy leadership models are often lacking in workplaces.Intentionality is key in loving leadership practices.Misapplied practices can lead to toxic environments. Stories provide a frame of reference for understanding experiences.Coaching should be distinguished from therapy in the workplace.A strong sense of belonging can be misleading in corporate culture.Self-love is a critical component of effective leadership.It's important to recognize the diverse reactions of team members to change.Maintaining a core of integrity helps navigate uncertainty.Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Jim Loter - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this conversation, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Tara C. Smith, a seasoned public sector leader, discussing the transformative power of love in leadership. Tara shares her journey in public service, emphasizing the importance of trust, vulnerability, and self-care in creating a positive workplace culture. The discussion explores practical strategies for embedding love in leadership practices, the challenges faced in this journey, and the profound impact of mentorship and connection in leadership roles. Tara's insights highlight the necessity of prioritizing emotional intelligence and the human factor in organizational dynamics, ultimately advocating for a shift towards a more compassionate and effective leadership style.Sound Bites"Leading with love starts from a different baseline.""The absence of love in the workplace is fear.""Love is what helps us thrive.""Trust is the secret ingredient in leadership.""Rest is a weapon.""It's important to give your time to your team.""I am most proud of the people I've connected with.""Thank you for seeing me."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tara C. Smith03:46 The Impact of Love in Leadership10:04 Understanding Loving Leadership15:56 Building Trust and Vulnerability22:08 The Practicalities of Loving Leadership27:50 Navigating Challenges in Leadership34:07 Reflections on Leadership Journey37:56 Looking Ahead: The Future of Loving LeadershipSubscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Tara C. Smith - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this insightful episode of LoveLeadChange, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith are joined by Jim Conti, who works at a venture capital firm providing HR and operational consulting for their portfolio companies. Jim brings valuable experience in creating people-first cultures and supporting early-stage startups in their growth journey.Jim shares his perspective on love in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of balancing empathy with accountability. He discusses how his understanding of love was shaped by his family background, community experiences, and professional journey, particularly highlighting the impact of growing up in a strong community environment and his time at Boston College.Through practical examples, Jim illustrates how loving leadership can transform workplace dynamics. He shares the success of initiatives like "Tuesday Tea," a monthly program where team members could present on non-work-related passions, fostering authentic connections and trust among colleagues. This program became one of their highest-rated activities, demonstrating how simple initiatives can create meaningful workplace connections.A powerful segment explores Jim's approach to supporting early-stage companies in building their cultures. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in communicating company values and expectations, particularly in areas like work setup (remote vs. hybrid vs. in-office), helping companies attract and retain talent that aligns with their culture.Jim candidly discusses his own challenges with self-care as a leader, acknowledging his tendency to prioritize others' needs over his own. His reflection on the results of the loving leaders assessment reveals high scores in team care and organizational love implementation, but lower scores in self-care, offering valuable insights for other leaders facing similar challenges.Looking ahead to 2025, Jim expresses hope for a more balanced employment market where both employer and employee needs are met, and where people can find supportive communities in various aspects of their lives.Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Jim Conti - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this insightful episode of LoveLeadChange, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith are joined by Joanna Zak, Senior Director of Workplace Experience at Sprout Social and a seasoned leader in operations, planning, and people management. Joanna brings over 15 years of experience in fostering workplace cultures that prioritize connection, clarity, and authenticity.Joanna shares her journey from the nonprofit sector to her current role, where she has helped drive global expansion, implement hybrid work strategies, and create spaces that inspire human connection. She delves into her philosophy of love in the workplace, reframing it as respect, authenticity, and a commitment to fostering environments where people feel seen, valued, and heard.Through practical examples, Joanna illustrates how intentional leadership can transform workplace dynamics. From leading breathing meditations during tough performance reviews to instituting quarterly “State of Affairs” meetings for clarity and alignment, her strategies emphasize the importance of both structure and empathy. She also highlights a bi-monthly practice of peer recognition that creates emotional connection and momentum, showcasing how even small rituals can have a profound impact on team cohesion and morale.A powerful segment explores how to lead with love during challenging times, like delivering difficult news. Joanna candidly shares her approach to maintaining authenticity and care, turning tough conversations into opportunities to strengthen trust and resilience. She also offers valuable advice for new leaders, urging them to prioritize active listening, clarity, and building trust as foundational elements of loving leadership.This episode is a testament to the power of leading with love, especially in today’s shifting relationship economy. Joanna’s wisdom and practical insights will inspire leaders to embrace authenticity, infuse their work with compassion, and prioritize people without compromising results.Chapters00:00 Introduction and New Year Reflections04:25 Meet Joanna Zak: A Leader in Workplace Experience08:45 What Love Means in the Workplace12:30 Managing with Empathy During Tough Times17:15 Creating Rituals for Connection and Recognition22:00 Lessons from Early Leadership Challenges26:40 Advice for Emerging Leaders31:10 Building a Relationship Economy with Love34:25 Reflections and ClosingSubscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Joanna Zak - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Tatiana Machado-Griffin, an administrative business partner at Sprout Social and author of 'Let's Connect as Humans.' The conversation explores the significance of love in the workplace, emphasizing care, trust, and connection as essential elements of effective leadership. Tatiana shares her experiences transitioning from Brazil to the U.S. workplace, highlighting the challenges of isolation and the importance of fostering relationships. The discussion also delves into the framework of loving leadership developed by David Mead, which includes honesty, humility, and humanity, and the role of recognition in creating a supportive work environment. Tatiana expresses hope for the future, focusing on the power of small communities to drive meaningful change.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Loving Leadership01:30 The Importance of Love in the Workplace05:55 Building Connections and Trust12:06 Challenges in Fostering Love and Trust17:44 The Role of Recognition and Appreciation25:42 A Framework for Loving Leadership31:50 Looking Ahead: Community and ConnectionSubscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-emailConnect with the Guest and the Hosts:Tatiana Machado-Griffin - LinkedIn ProfileRenée Smith - LinkedIn ProfileSimon Phillips - LinkedIn ProfileAll Music composed by Adam Phillips