OPINIONS

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE

By The Ambassadors Research Foundation

In the recently published book entitled Love Leadership: What the World Needs Now (New Voices Press, 2007), the author, coach Gregg Cochlan, teaches us that the word LOVE is comprised of more than just four letters! He includes what some of the most influential thinkers of our age have said about Love. By delving into the philosophies and expressions of such notable leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Warren Buffett, Cochlan weaves together a interesting fabric that connects love with leadership.

Mahatma Gandhi once said "wherever there are jars, wherever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love." gandhi who became the independence leader for India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and an icon in 20th century politics, preached non-violence and civil disobedience as a means of creating change. In north America, civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered to his followers a similar message of love. Speaking on interracial relations and calling for an end to segregation in America, King preached that "[h]atred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." The Albanian catholic humanitarian Mother Theresa, who dedicated her life serving the sick and the poor, said " It is not how much we do but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving." And American billionaire investor Warren Buffett said "there is nobody I known who commands the love of others who doesn't feel like a success. And I can't imagine people aren't loved feel very successful."

These statements and many others are the impetus for Cochlans book and opinions. He begins with the importance of understanding the meaning of words. So before understanding the impact of love in fostering and strengthening relationships, once much go to its meaning to its very definition. Once we understand that love is about the expression and actions of showing emotion. The Buddha teaches that "The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings."

Last August, Cochlan created his website LoveLeadership.com which promotes the ideas behind his new book, which urge corporate leaders to dole some good old-fashioned love to warm the cockles of their troops' hearts. He said "these days we are seeing leaders demonstrating emotions in public. Fathers feel freer to hugs their sons, coaches are quick to pat athlete's back, and even politicians are breaking down and showing their human side, such as Senator Hillary Clinton's show of emotion during the last US Democratic Party's nomination campaign." He says "there is nothing more natural than showing our love to babies and nothing more important than telling someone who is dying that we love them. So why then do we not wish to share this same transformative experience with the people we work with everyday."

Cochlan is also careful to caution those who express love in a disingenuous fashion. The power of love as a leadership trait is in its authenticity.

Today, Cochlan works as a consultant to Saskatchewan Telecommunications.