At work, we seldom discuss love; instead, we talk about vision, purpose, results, and profit. But underneath all this, much of what we do as leaders is an unconscious desire to be seen, valued, and significant – in many ways, a search for love.  

There are many different ways we do this:  

Love as the connector – seeking love through belonging  

As connectors, we thrive on the sense of partnership and community with our people. In this way, we form a strong culture of belonging and build a brand that speaks to shared connection. The best version of this form of love can be felt when we bring our whole, authentic self into play. The caution here is not to fall into others at the expense of ourselves.  

Love as the visionary – seeking love through passion  

The passionate visionary falls in love with ideas and with possibilities. The thrill is in the creation, building a dream. Innovative visionaries like this seek shared love by inspiring others. The caution here is not to burn out, but to find ways to bring a steady energy that spreads to inspire others to carry the flame. Grand visions are great, but dedication to a legacy that drowns out personal intimacy is a lonely journey.  

Love in perfection – seeking love through achievement  

The A-type, hyper achiever will recognise this one, in which we subconsciously seek to earn love through excellence, results and reputation. This drive is often the energy by which great businesses are built. The caution here is to mistake admiration for affection and applause for acceptance. If we immerse ourselves in unbalanced chasing for perfection, we risk losing out on other areas of life, intimacy and love.  

Love in caregiving – seeking love through service  

This form of love is often the centre of non-profit enterprises or charity. We pour ourselves into our team, clients and mission. We seek love by helping others in difficulty. The caution here is that burnout descends when you leak out too much into others without caring for yourself. Self-love is critical to longevity.  

Love in balance – seeking love through balance  

The ultimate form of love is through a combination of all these ways, understanding that love is something that we cultivate from within. It starts with an inner wholeness and self-acceptance. When we work to understand and nurture ourselves, we can build organisations that sustain us and that are both profitable, meaningful and caring to others. We understand how love and leadership go together to build lasting impact.  

The best business is, at its essence, a love story. We fall in love with an idea, a possibility, a dream, and we walk a journey to make this dream come true. Along the way, we journey through all these different ways to love and be loved – and find ways to do this that are sustainable, empowering and impactful.  

What is the love language of your business?