“A business absolutely devoted to service will have only one worry about profits. They will be embarrassingly large!” — Henry Ford
A seismic shift of positive proportions is already well underway in San Diego. In stark counterpoint to silent killers like heart disease, or silent scourges like depression, or not so silent dividers like polarizing political party affiliations, a stronger silent typography has emerged in America’s finest, kindest and most purpose-filled region.
Like lotus blossoms that thrive in the murkiest of waters, running equally silent and equally deep, there is a steady emergence of heart-centered individuals, organizations and communities committed to a living from a deeper place of being, where love not fear is the prime driver, and elevating humanity is the goal, aim and purpose.
We have witnessed so many people in the workplace and community who have tired of the sordid spectacle of the 24-hour news cycle. We have heard their yearning for real substance and significance, with a ravenous hunger for better ways to define success in life and business, as well as a deep thirst for authentic connection and belonging. We’re seeing more and more individuals and organizations saying enough is enough!
Business and community leaders in San Diego are bucking against the status quo; they are consciously choosing to put people whole-heartedly at the center of their organizations, and shifting mind sets, heart sets and skill sets toward a love-centered approach to work and life. These companies know empirically and intuitively that doing well by doing good generates significant positive implications for attracting today’s workforce, connecting more deeply with customers, and making a difference of consequence for our communities.
Employees who are passionate about the work that they do are more loyal, innovative, creative and inspired, and that translates to great customer experience. They don’t serve others out of obligation, but because of a genuine desire to improve people’s lives.
Sally Hogshead, CEO of Fascinate and New York Times bestselling author of “How the World Sees You” and “Fascinate,” says, “We all know what good business isn’t. It isn’t working your teams to death. Or prioritizing profits above all else. Or clueless hiring and ruthless firing. And it’s no longer enough to be liked, or respected, or even trusted. To succeed in any crowded and distracted market, you must be loved by customers and employees alike.”
While pockets of innovation are found everywhere, San Diego is helping to lead the way to encourage toward building and sustaining business and community cultures centered on love, not hate.
Business is not akin to war. We must stop talking and acting like it is. Deficit thinking is as dated and destructive as bloodletting. Companies that have the courage to lead with love, do better—often much better.
Love is not only appropriate in the context of business, it’s at the very heart of great leadership, and, therefore, the very foundation of a thriving, competitive, sustainable enterprise. When love is intentionally part of an organization’s framework and operationalized in its culture, something transformative and great happens. That’s when you foster loyalty. That’s when you cultivate raving fans. That’s when people love you in return.
No one of us is as powerful as all of us and there is no time for by-standing!
Neville Billimoria is senior vice president for membership and marketing at Mission Federal Credit Union. Steve Farber is a best-selling author whose newest book, “Love Is Just Damn Good Business,” was released Sep. 27. Dr. Moshe Engelberg is founder of ResearchWorks and author of “The Amare Wave: Uplifting Business by Putting Love to Work,” which is due out in November.