In the business environment, love is commonly seen as a feeling completely alien to the cultures of most organisations. Some of the renowned authors have even observed that love could undermine important business variables or Key Performance Indicators (e.g., productivity, quality levels, competitiveness, efficiency, etc.). Most companies focus on improving these indicators, instead of centring on love. It is important to pinpoint that these indicators are always a result of the interactions of an organisation and its internal and external stakeholders.
Therefore, when a company adopts a loving attitude toward its stakeholders, these indicators tend to improve naturally. An organisation with a loving attitude develops continuous goodwill and mutually beneficial relationships with all its relevant stakeholders; thus the company is more likely to succeed in the business arena.
All stakeholders have their distinctive objectives and agendas. A company which develops beneficial relationships with its stakeholders is more likely to be supported by them when needed. When a company acts in a considerate manner with the stakeholders, they tend to reciprocate in a similar manner.
In order to strengthen its bonds with its stakeholders, an organisation should identify their distinct needs and expectations in order to cater to them in the most effective way. Some specific tools (e.g., meetings, open telephone lines, emails, surveys, focus groups, etc.) can be used to discover stakeholders’ specific interests. A company should always take into account stakeholders’ unique needs when it develops its strategies and makes relevant business decisions. While a company continually cares for its stakeholders, its public image tends to improve significantly.
As a company adopts a loving attitude, all its activities (e.g., buying, selling, developing, and launching new products, etc.) are based on the development of mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Strong relationships with stakeholders are at all times a relevant source of power, which gives an organisation an edge in the marketplace.
People with an affectionate attitude towards others can connect to the human side of each person inside and outside an organisation. When people working for a company adopt this loving attitude towards all stakeholders, the latter are more inclined to feel acknowledged, recognised, and appreciated. Consequently, a loving attitude creates an atmosphere of deeper communion among people, which in turn improves business activities in a more effortless fashion. s
A very important aspect of a loving attitude is affection. When people are truly affectionate with others, they relate to them in a respectful and caring manner. A loving person makes others feel at peace with themselves and in their own skins, which also makes them more co-operative and easier to deal with. On the contrary, when people are not treated lovingly, they are very prone to behave in an anxious, restless, scared, and even aggressive manner.
When a company adopts a loving attitude toward others, its conflicts with them are handled in a more peaceful and conciliatory fashion. Loving people are more open to consider diverse perspectives on a topic, as those views enrich discussion and understanding.
An interesting question for self-reflection is: “How can I adopt a more loving attitude towards our stakeholders?”
Dr Bruno Roque Cignacco (PhD) is an international business consultant, international speaker and business coach. For over 20 years, he has advised and trained hundreds of companies on international trade activities and international marketing. He is a university lecturer. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA – UK). He is also the author of business and personal development books published in different languages. His new book is titled “The Art of Compassionate Business: Main Principles for the Human-Oriented Enterprise” (2019, Routledge) www.bit.ly/2MAkr4k
His websites are www.humanorientedenterprise.com and www.brunocignacco.com
