262: How to Nurture the Antidote to a Fear-based Organizational Culture

This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Please take a look at episode 261 for Part 1.

“I was in a room of four hundred public employees at a continuous improvement conference. And I said that if it's a leader’s job to eliminate fear, then love is the thing that takes its place.” — Renée Smith

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My guest

Renée Smith, MSOD (she/her) is the founder and CEO of A Human Workplace, a global movement and consultancy committed to making work more human. She led award-winning culture work as a state executive and served in the Governor’s Office as Director of Workplace Transformation for the State of Washington. Smith is a researcher, writer, and speaker who’s reached hundreds of audiences worldwide, making the business case for a human workplace.

Summary

In Part 2 of this episode, Renée and I explored the antidote to fear in the workplace: love. Love can manifest itself in various ways in professional settings:

> Leaders providing genuine care for employees by showing interest and respect and by creating an environment of belonging

> Workgroups functioning like a family – team building and acknowledgment of accomplishments

> Supporting individuals during personal crises.

Other critical considerations for a love-based culture include

> Sustainability, as new employees join the organization and the challenge of leadership turnover.

> Screening job candidates for their capacity for love.

> Leading with human-centered messaging.