The ROI of Love in Business

The ROI of Love in Business, what a title – right? We all know love is vast, immeasurable, and fundamental to life. So how can one possibly measure its return on investment? We can’t. That said, the inquiry I am inviting in this post is to ask – what would happen if love became the central focus of business?

Now bear with me, I know this is a stretch for many who may read this. I mean do love and business mix? But if you are willing to read on, I believe this very post could lead to a great epiphany. For those executives who get this, I am revealing an incredibly powerful opportunity to expand your impact while still doing quite well financially.

Is Our Current Approach to Business Generating Great Value?

The question above is the first question we must honestly answer. Is our current approach to business fully maximizing our ability to create the broadest value possible? Has the more linear MBA mindset that has taken over our approach to business serving us?

Those who profit from it will probably say yes. However, Gallup’s 2018 employee engagement survey states that over 80% of employees are not engaging fully at work. Given that the question becomes, is there a way to widen both individual fulfillment and expand access to wealth? Unfortunately, the current game of business is set up so that there are winners and losers. And an argument can be made this approach has led to:

• A growing divide between the wealthy and poor
• Rising disparities between CEO and employee compensation
• A level of access to health care based on one’s socioeconomic status
• The need to pay outlandish fees for an education.
• A decreasing engagement of employees who witness the disparities

The Main Underlying Cause of These Disparities

Most will say, those are complicated issues with no clear solution. Because of this, these challenges are growing larger in scope. But there is a simple solution. This solution requires a kind of wake up call in the business person to fully engage it. The main reason all of these issues exists is due to the misguided notion.  A notion that we buy hook, line, and sinker.

This notion is that we are separate and different from others. And yet if you take the time to investigate, you will find there is no separation between us.  In this investigation it becomes self evident that we are all profoundly connected.   For example, when you go to the grocery store do you ever ask “how did this food get here and who did all of this?”  Normally, we just walk in without thinking and pick up what we need.  Yet, hundreds of people conspire to create that ease for you.   That is but a small example.  I could go on and on.

In addition, if we take into account the human experience, we will find more commonalities than differences in how we experience life.  If we start taking the time to genuinely understand how others engage life, we would again see there are more similarities than differences.   We may come from varying backgrounds and experiences but the nature of experiencing this diversity is the same. Yet, somehow when we rise in life we lose contact with our connection to others and life itself.  In short, we live in our bubble – thinking it is real.

Given the false conclusion that we are separate and different, there is this belief that we must carve out a spot for ourselves. When this is the case, and we feel separate from other, fear runs the show.  Based on this we feel that we must compete with others for apparently limited opportunities and resources. And it is this underlying fear and the sense of limitations that is the basis for the outcomes I note above.

How Business Perpetuates Fear as a Motivator

The task of the school systems has become to train us for this competition by grading us on subjects that may or may not align with our natural talents. Given this, millions of kids go through the mill of education that is highly programmatic.  Because of this, as we move forward, the underlying fear continues to expand.  We look out at the world, wondering how we are going to fit in.  This continues as we progress through college and move into our first job. If we are ‘fortunate’ we find early success.

For most engaging the corporate life, this early success leads us to land in an organization that asks us to climb a ladder. The promise is that if you reach the top, you will have found the promise land.  However to rise, you must compete for fewer and fewer opportunities. And yet many who reach the pinnacle of the executive suite tend to deal with overwhelming stress and a large number burn out.  And then one day, we retire.  At this point, for some, the question becomes – what has it all added up to?

What if Love Rules the Business Day?

But I want to offer an alternative approach to consider.  This solution would not have you fighting competition.  It would allow you to gain deeper fulfillment during your working years.   It would allow you to leverage the power of business for good.

The solution shifts the primary focus of the business world to one that spreads and fosters love.  This approach requires the business leader to look out and see how it can be most loving and supportive to all its stakeholders. Doing this would require us to recognize the truth.  To realize that we are not separate.  And most importantly commit to lifting all boats in service.

Certainly, we live in a corporate world that is bound by corporate law. And the corporate law states that we must satisfy the shareholder. But let’s take a moment to imagine a world that focuses on lifting everyone up. Again, this is one small blog post. I don’t expect this to change the world.   That said, I will ask you to take a moment and consider what business would be like if love ruled the day?

But That’s Not How We Do Business, Right?

The fear will likely rise on many that if we did this, we would be soft. The worry is that we would not create profitable businesses. That if we led from the heart, employees might take advantage. But again these are all misguided, made up concerns. When in actuality there is far more evidence that the opposite is true.

Again, I am not saying we should not be mindful of our P&Ls or let people get away with bad behavior. I am talking about being loving and having our organizations be ambassadors for love, not winning or losing.  The good news is we have plenty of examples of organizations which operate from a basis of love first, profit second. I believe companies like Starbucks, Southwest, COSCO, CARMAX, Newman’s Own, and Virgin Brand are in this category.

These companies are far from perfect, but they also tend to be ranked high on the best places to work.  And in studies, these companies outperform the S&P in cumulative returns by a significant amount. These companies also tend to give back to their communities more than others. So the adage there is no room for love in business is just wrong. I would go so far as to say that the key to leading a successful organization that creates value in the world is to orient primarily from love.  And inherent in that value is an expansion of profitability.

No, The ROI of Love is Not Naive Sentimentality

For many who read this, this message may appear to be simplistic or naive. But if you made it this far, maybe you have secretly been sensing there is a better way to do business. My stand here is that running an organization based on fear as well as emphasizing profit and power over love misses the more significant opportunity that a business can bring.

I believe a business mindset can be a force for good in the world. Further, I think that any company delivering such value will be profitable. I would go so far as to say, any leader who commits to love as a fundamental operating guideline will create far more value in the world than those who do not.

That said, it takes courage to go against the grain. But in the end, following this path to emphasize love first is a journey in leadership. And the tide is already starting to turn, and in time, those that have been hypnotized by the belief in profit above all will have to wake up as well. It is just not sustainable.

If you are an executive who resonates with the points here, I would like to hear from you and offer any support I can. But I am here to tell you, any executive that commits to love above all will be on a growing wave that in the not too distant future will become the new operating system for business. It is already gaining momentum, so I encourage you to get on the train and do what you can to engage the ROI of love!