In this engaging episode of the *Love, Lead, Change* podcast, hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith sit down with Rick Gage, a seasoned executive leader and current Executive Director of the Center for a Loving Workplace. Known for his transformative approach to leadership and fostering environments that prioritize humanity, Rick shares stories and insights from his 40+ years of experience in roles ranging from operations management to strategic leadership at major organizations.
Rick discusses the pivotal influence of his mentor Nancy, a leader who modeled inclusivity and created a culture that valued each team member deeply. He highlights a powerful process from her team that involved a quarterly check-in where each individual’s growth, challenges, and needs were discussed openly and with respect. This practice left a lasting impact on Rick, solidifying his commitment to fostering workspaces where people feel genuinely supported and valued.
A major theme throughout the conversation is Rick's perspective on love in the workplace. He defines love as “the energy that uplifts and connects,” drawing from the Amare Wave concept by Moshe Engelberg. Rick explains how this energy drives positive change by alleviating suffering, encouraging respect and compassion, and nurturing human potential. He stresses that successful organizations today must move beyond the mechanistic and profit-centered mindsets of the past and embrace innovation, diversity, and the human aspects of work.
The conversation also touches on the challenges Rick has faced in trying to bring compassion to the workplace, especially when operating in profit-driven environments. He shares how cultivating “confident vulnerability” and regular check-ins has allowed him to create more connected teams, dismantling judgment and blame by fostering deeper understanding among team members.
This episode is full of actionable insights, as Rick offers strategies for leaders at all levels to incorporate love into their practices. From individual contributors to senior leaders, Rick encourages listeners to model introspection, cultivate inclusive spaces, and embrace systems that prioritize human connection and growth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rick Gage and His Journey
02:26 Defining Love in the Workplace
04:51 The Shift in Workplace Dynamics
08:10 Experiences Shaping Leadership Philosophy
11:57 The Importance of Employee-Centered Conversations
15:20 Impact of Leadership on Organizational Culture
17:15 Challenges in Implementing Loving Leadership
20:01 Creating Human Connection in Teams
21:57 Leadership at Different Levels
24:43 Reflections on a Meaningful Career
26:11 Looking Ahead: Unleashing Human Potential
If you'd like a copy of the Guide we have created to implement Check-Ins in your workplace, just click this link - https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/check-in-guide-podcast
Connect with the Guest and the Hosts:
Rick Gage - LinkedIn Profile
Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile
Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile
All Music composed by Adam Phillips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
