• by Jen Kaplan , Op-Ed Contributor, February 13, 2019

My heart knows no bounds. I lead with my heart in business as much as I do in my personal life. In fact, it’s one of my guiding mantras. As Valentine’s Day is upon us, I’ve been thinking a lot about love in the workplace. While taboo to some, I unabashedly subscribe to showering the people I work with love. 

Not only does it feel great, but it ups results. People who feel love at work tend to be more engaged. I’m not talking romantic love, but the love that comes from authentic compassion, the heartfelt caring about a coworker’s home life and a client’s personal and professional struggles. It’s as important to show up for triumphs as it is to be there to lend a loving hand during stumbles. 

Warmth, affection, and true connections pave the way for collaboration and real partnerships. The power of love expressed through gratitude and friendship ignites sparks that fan flames and light up organizations. 

Let’s face it. We spend a tremendous amount of time with clients and coworkers. As IN GOOD CO has a no-assholes policy, I’m surrounded by clients and coworkers I genuinely like and admire. Having just finished helping my daughter create the cards she will giddily give to her classmates tomorrow, the spirit of Valentine’s Day is top of mind. Showing love and appreciation on Valentine’s Day isn’t just reserved for lovers. It’s a great day to remember that empathic love has a place in business. Love, kindness, and authentic interest humanizes business relationships and takes them to higher levels. 

Love is part of our company culture. We work hard to create an environment that welcomes and encourages employees and clients to bond. We love to love, and it powers our consultancy. 

Reports in the Harvard Business Review and other leading publications indicate that walls between work and life are coming down. Social media has boosted connectivity and the time of workplace neutrality has passed. 

Finally! 

My teammates and clients don’t want fancy gifts on Valentine’s Day. They don’t expect hard-to-get tickets or an extravagant and costly dinner at a trendy restaurant. What they want on Valentine’s Day and every other day is compassion -- perhaps an extra pair of hands after welcoming a new baby or a donation in their honor to a charity they support. 

I’m using Valentine’s Day to make sure I’m speaking the right “love language” to those in my midst: the love language Gary Chapman espoused in his New York Times bestseller "The Five Love Languages." It’s a language Cosmopolitan magazine says “everyone in a relationship should understand.” People tend to give love the way they prefer to receive love. But that’s not always a recipe for success.

Better communication comes when love is delivered in the language the recipient understands. That comes from observation and a commitment to understanding how those you care for accept and embrace kindness and affection. Keys, of course, to healthy and happy relationships. 

Speaking in a clear love language helps ignite sparks that fuel relationships. 

Yes, I have 10 Slack channels going with one client and daily video calls with another. I would use a messenger pigeon to authentically communicate with a client if that would resonate. Speaking their love language leads to commitment and true partnership. Everyone is hyper-busy and always on in our overly connected world. Making my clients' daily lives even a bit smoother is a gift. It frees them up to do their jobs better and gives them a little time back to live. 

Same holds true for the members of our consultancy. We’ve taken away the bullshit angst that comes from perpetual doubt and office backstabbing. We fully believe that how we work directly affects the work our clients receive. We go above and beyond to help team members facing personal issues as we genuinely care about each other. 

Invest in love on Valentine’s Day and beyond. The payoff potential is massive, as it builds strong bonds and loyalty. Take the time to make sure you are speaking the right love language to those in your midst. It works, and it just feels damn good.