The Energy Bus - Rule #8

Love Your Passengers

For those of us reading this book to improve our personal lives, then this would be easy to translate.  Our family and our friends often receive our love as a result of the relationship dynamic.  But how does this translate to our professional lives?  Jon Gordon does a great job at showing us that love isn't just the touchy-feely, hugging and kissing display of love.  He tells us that both professionally and personally, love simply comes down to caring enough about the other passengers on our bus to want to see them succeed as we succeed.

"Enthusiasm is important.  But love is the answer.  To really, really, I mean really, tap the power of your heart and lead with positive, contagious energy you must love your passengers.  You've got to become a Love Magnet" (page 114).

Love Magnet!!  I love this!  For years I have heard 'what you focus on expands' and 'what you are you attract.'  So, focus on love...be love!  Make your passengers feel as if you truly care about their personal success by actually caring about their personal success.

"...your team want(s) to know that you are concerned about their future and welfare.  They need to know that you love them.  It can't be just about you and your job.  It also has to be about them" (page 115).

Jon Gordon instructs us to not only invite passengers onto our bus but to get them fired up and excited about the success of the collective.  When people know that you truly do have a vested interest in their success, they will not only work hard for themselves but they will then work hard for you.  They will love you back.  Just as the positive energy that you generate is contagious, so is the love.  Every one has the desire to feel loved -- important, cared about and needed.  That's what it means to love our passengers.

We talked about enthusiasm last time.  Gordon does a fantastic job tying enthusiasm and love together:

"...when your team knows you love them and feel the love from you they will want to stay on your bus wherever it goes.  So enthusiasm gets them excited about being on your bus, but love is what keeps them on the bus" (page 116).

So get them on the bus and then do what is most important to make them stay:  love them.

Gordon gives us five love rules and it's through these five rules that we will find it easy to give love to those around us both personally and professionally.


Five Ways to Love Your Passengers (pages 122-124)

1.  Make Time for Them.  I've always said that 'what is important to you, you will always make time for.'  Gordon says the same thing:  "Just as you would tend to a garden, you need to cultivate your team with love."

2.  Listen to Them.  Having opinions, thoughts and suggestions heard and considered makes people feel significant.  Having an ear to hear and a heart to receive what our passengers have to say is very important.

3.  Recognize Them.  Gordon says it best: "Honor them for who they are and what they do...the more you recognize them for doing things right the more they will do things right."

4.  Serve Them.  As the driver of your bus, it is vitally important that we realize that we are not only there to be the leader of the ride but to take care of the passengers as best as you can.  "The key is to serve their growth, their future, their career, and their spirits so they enjoy work, life, and being on your bus."

5.  Bring Out the Best in Them.  Love does exactly this -- sees the best in a person and does what it takes to bring that very best out.  This is vitally important.  To be truly successful as a team, everyone must be operating as their best selves.  "...the best way any leader can demonstrate their love for their team is to help each person discover their strengths and provide an opportunity for that person to utilize them."

Show your passengers the love they want, need and desire and see that team grow!!