Book Recommendation: Love Works by Joel Manby
I only came across this book by chance and it is one of my absolute favorites. At the time, I was still a junior campaign manager and overheard a conversation between two female managers with a colleague that focused on this book.
I remember reading and consuming it in one go. I was so fascinated by Joel Manby’s description of how he treats his employees and his principles as a leader. A whole new world opened up for me at that time. Looking back today as a team leader, I agree with his description of leadership and take many of his principles to heart.
“Leadership is about the bottom line
and loving the people you work with
and making your community a better place
and feeling sense of satisfaction at the end of every day
and leading employees who can’t imagine working anywhere else”
Joel Manby from his book „Love Works“
What impressed me most at the time was the realization that we can have a say in whether or not we make someone’s day better. I had never been so aware of this until I read his book.
“Every time you walk past someone, you have an opportunity to make their day better or make their day worse”
Joel Manby from his book „Love Works“
He describes that our decisions can also influence those of others. When we make someone’s day better with a compliment, a smile or attention, like holding a door open for a person who has no hand free, it can increase the person’s mood, energy, effectiveness and productivity. He describes how this can be implemented in a business context, using his friend Jack as an example. He reflects every morning on the previous day and „…think about what behavior I saw that should be encouraged, and then I write a note to reinforce it and say thanks“ (p.66). I was so impressed by this way of motivating and recognizing the work of employees that I still remember it years later and try to implement it today. Easier said than done – because how often do we get caught up in our everyday business and forget these things?
Of course this is only one of many examples and principles Joes Manby explains based on his experiences. He shows how to build strong relationships with your employees with love and passion and create a great working atmosphere, taking us through his own journey as a leader. In many ways he has been very inspiring to me and I highly recommend this book to everyone.