There are are a couple of wood pigeons that live in our garden. Every year they nest in a small ever green oak tree within sight of our patio doors. They wander up and down the garden, not in the slightest bit bothered by our two cats. They kiss and snuggle up together in the cold and rain. They are very much in love.
Now love as a key part of working life might sound like a very strange idea. But let’s think about it more widely. What is it that keeps soldiers alive in the heat of battle? It’s their love for each other, it’s their willingness to protect each other, to hold each when they are fearful, to weep with each other when a comrade dies, to do everything to keep each other safe.
But love in the modern workplace? Opening up and sharing love between each other in your workplace creates trust, builds honestly, creates space to get cross with each other and make up quickly too. Love in the workplace makes you more likely to protect each other, to support each other when things go well and not so well. Love goes beyond the team you are part of now, it moves with you to new teams you become a part of, without you losing the love you have with your old team.
Compassionate leadership can be faked. Shared team love based leadership can’t.
And my evidence base? I have always shared my love with everyone I have worked with and supported over the the last 40 years. As I approach the end of my life, the love being sent to me from all over the place is magical. All I can do is keep on loving each of you. Thank you x
Jim Thomas
August 2025
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