February 13, 2025 | By David M. Wagner

What words come to mind when you think about football?

(I’ll wait…)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that “love” did not make your top 10 list.

And yet, when Nick Sirianni – head coach of the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles (yes, I’m a fan – Go Birds!) – spoke during the Super Bowl trophy ceremony on Sunday, he talked about love.

Here’s what he said about why his team was successful:

“We have selfless guys, we have guys that don’t want to let each other down…They love each other. Love is a strong thing, and it takes a lot of work to develop that.”

It turns out love wins championships.

Love can also make all the difference for your organization.

The Power of Love

We don’t usually talk about love in the workplace.

Instead, we use words like support. Inclusion. Belonging. Psychological safety.

But aren’t those the same results that love creates?

When people feel loved (supported, included, like they belong, safe), it unleashes their full potential, passion, and commitment.

Imagine what it would be like if your team members brought their all, every day. If your Board and other stakeholders exhibited a true sense of ownership for your mission. If your clients or constituents felt totally embraced by the people doing your work.

That’s the power of what love can do.

Leading with Love

Impactful leaders lead with love and foster an others-centric culture.

Putting love into action means:

• Focusing on relationships, not roles. Take the time to get to really know people and build genuine connections with them, rather than treating each interaction as a transaction with someone just filling a role.

• Acknowledging the whole person. Especially their emotional realities – people aren’t robots, so don’t treat them that way.

• Setting appropriate boundaries. Love isn’t about just letting other people have their way. It also requires knowing when to say “no” (with kindness) to protect others, your organization, and yourself.

• Being direct with hard messages. Beating around the bush does no one any good. Love demands we be transparent and forthright – including about our own mistakes.

• Leading with empathy, compassion, and curiosity. These leadership “super powers” will help you center others’ needs in your decisions, conflicts, and efforts to effect change.

You don’t have to talk about love at work to best support your mission. But it will serve you well to practice it. When you show love to your team, your clients, and your stakeholders, you create a supportive environment in which people, ideas, and your mission can thrive. And remember: fully loving others demands that we show love for ourselves first.

If you or your team could use a little more (non-romantic) love in your workplace, talk with me about how I coach teams to put people at the heart of their work for their mission.

And happy Valentine’s Day!