“Lead with Love”: A mantra for my leadership style
In 2018, I picked up The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein. For the first time, a book articulated a truth I had always felt but hadn’t fully embraced: I could lead and live with my whole, authentic self.
(Spoiler: This isn’t a business leadership book—it’s a personal growth book. But for me, leadership and life are inseparable.)
At the time, I was a Principal of Data, Analytics, and CRM at The Richards Group. I spent nearly 13 years, in partnership with two amazing women (who also became dear friends) building our data-driven arm of the business and growing our team from three to 45 people. I brought my A-game every single day. I was structured, driven, and hardwired to overachieve.
But I was also a nurturer, a cheerleader, and a deeply empathetic human. These qualities, often brushed off as “cute” or a side effect of being a young working mom, weren’t always seen as strengths in leadership.
Then I read The Universe Has Your Back, and everything changed.
Choosing Love Over Fear
Bernstein writes, “Our happiness is a direct reflection of how quickly we can restore our fear back to love.” That line changed everything for me.
This was my breakthrough moment. For years, I had operated in environments that ran on fear—tight deadlines, high stakes, and constant pressure to deliver. At work, I was fined for being a minute late. At home, I was racing the clock to pick up my babies from daycare, terrified of being the mom who failed.
Reading this book reminded me: I have a choice. I could choose to lead with love, to approach life with compassion and authenticity, rather than anxiety and fear.
And so I did.
When I felt nervous before a big pitch or faced a tough situation, I shifted my mindset—and my body language. I had learned from Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk, ‘Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are’ that confidence is not just a feeling but a posture. Standing tall, pulling my shoulders back, and smiling wasn’t just an act—it was a way to embody leadership.
This approach, to claim myself, and lead with love (not fear), also gave me the courage to explore what was next in my career, which led me to Team One. I was only nine months in, leading a team of 26, when the pandemic hit in March 2020. And, you know what happened next.
I was determined, more than ever before, to “lead with love.”
This article highlights my leadership experience during this time.
What Does Leading With Love Look Like in the Workplace?
Leading with love isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a tangible leadership philosophy. For me, it meant leaning into my natural instincts to care, nurture, and connect with people on a human level. Here’s what it looked like:
Showing Up for People: I made it a priority to check in with my team—not just about work, but about their lives. I wanted to know about their dogs, kids, gardens, or weekend plans. These moments of connection weren’t distractions; they were foundational to trust and teamwork.
Assuming Good Intentions: If someone missed a deadline or was late to a meeting, I didn’t jump to criticism. Instead, I asked questions to understand their perspective. One of my go-to lines is, “Criticism is the lack of understanding.”
Balancing Strength with Warmth: Being empathetic and nurturing didn’t mean lowering my standards. I was still the same structured, driven leader—but now I brought my whole self to the table, without fear of how I’d be perceived.
Leading With Love at Sunny
At Sunny, where our mission is to create a more meaningfully connected world, leading with love isn’t just my approach—it’s aligned with everything we do.
My team knows I’m a structured thinker, a mom, a nurturer, and a champion of people. They know me, and I strive to know and champion them in return.
Leading with love isn’t just a mantra; it’s a mindset. It’s about creating space for humanity in the workplace, building trust through empathy, and fostering a culture where people feel seen and supported.
Because when we lead with love, amazing things happen.
#LeadWithLove #AuthenticLeadership #EmpathyInAction #PurposeDrivenWork #WorkplaceCulture