There are words that when spoken have a certain impact on us. They make us FEEL, which is the whole idea. Feelings are what drive us to take action, and actions are what produce results.

Let’s talk about a few words that I feel create the greatest sense of belonging, trust, acceptance, loyalty, and peace than any other words spoken on the planet. These are the words that every person (including employees, bosses, owners, etc.) longs to hear. It doesn’t matter if you have conquered a nation, walked on the moon, served time in solitary confinement, or worked the normal 9-5 gig your entire life.

Those three words are, “I love you.”

We use these words to describe so many things in life. Falling in love is universal. We talk about the greatest love stories ever told. We talk about falling in love one day and getting married. We talk about the love we have for our children that is indescribable. The power that is associated with this phrase breaks down all kinds of barriers and makes us do and say crazy things.

We will do almost anything for love! Almost.

I’d be willing to bet everyone on the planet has at one time or another felt love. Once we have felt it, we crave that feeling again and again. It’s a drug that is hard to escape because it feels so good. What better thing can we experience in life than to have someone else confirm through words and action their love for us?! Nothing else seems to matter. We become oblivious to the world around us and want to hold on to that adrenaline rush for as long as possible.

What does this have to do with culture?

As people working for most of our lives, we are constantly in need of reassurance that we have something someone else wants. We seek validation and ultimate loyalty from our employees, team members, and bosses. Without that, we feel lost, a bit empty, and unfulfilled. We put ourselves out there at the beginning. We took a risk. We busted our butts to try and be the best version of ourselves in hopes that someone out there would notice us, and want to start a relationship with us (hire us). That “first date” is so important. Our goal is to hear those coveted words. Those words that cause us to feel all giddy inside. The words that show ultimate employee loyalty.

“I love you.”

Once an employee or leader commits to you with the phrase “I love your work ethic!”, “I love your thinking!”, “I love your ability to bring us together!”, or “I love how you always deliver on time!”, that person has decided to invest in us emotionally. They are now brand advocates for us and although the world may throw a few curve balls at us, they will remain by our side.

Let’s go through an exercise together.

I want you to read through each one of these quotes about love and think about them in context of team.

• “To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything.”
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• “I love you. I choose you. And I'll choose you over and over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I'll keep choosing you.”
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• “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Just imagine if those words were uttered from the mouths of your team members (a little creepy, I know)! Maybe not directly to you, but to their friends and family about you! When you think about it, a relationship is a relationship. We are all looking for love, whether that be in our personal lives, as an employee, an employer, or a business. It’s our job to be lovable, to accept that love, to appreciate that love, and not to take it for granted.

There is a reason why love is called the “universal language”.

Love has existed from the beginning of time and will never cease. Everyone, everywhere understands it and knows of the impact it can have on their lives. Make sure you are being the type of person that can both give and receive that love. Then, and only then will you understand the impact of true employee/team loyalty. 

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WANT TO MAKE YOUR CULTURE AND TEAM INVINCIBLE?

You can create a culture of empowerment and liberation through better communication and alignment. We call these invincible teams. Make your team invincible through a data-driven approach that is used by Google, the CDC, the Air Force, Pfizer, and Chick-fil-A. Click here or the image below to learn more.