Many perceive the workplace as merely a venue for exchanging skills for a salary. However, the mutual care among colleagues forms an invisible bond crucial for an organization's survival.

In his 2022 TED Talk, American journalist Dan Harris defined "workplace love" as the capacity for care, the instinct for cooperation, and a readiness to spread positivity. From an evolutionary standpoint, this trait enabled humanity's survival and continues to manifest daily in professional settings.

A powerful driver of job satisfaction is the sense of belonging to a community where employees feel understood and respected.

Research by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, co-authors of "Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee," suggests that a supervisor's interest in employees' lives outside work is a precise indicator of their commitment to the team.

Illustration: Pexels.

Conversely, isolation carries severe consequences. Psychological studies show that rejection or isolation within a group environment activates brain regions similar to those associated with physical pain. Loneliness serves as an urgent brain warning signal, akin to hunger or thirst.

In 2023, the US Surgeon General's report warned that chronic social disconnection increases the risk of heart disease, depression, and premature death.

While work cannot resolve every personal crisis, it shapes the relational environment for millions. Leaders who cultivate "love" by valuing employee efforts foster a positive work environment.

Lessons from the forest 'ecosystem'

In a healthy forest, trees are not competitors. Beneath the ground lies a vast root network where they transmit nutrients and send warning signals to each other. Mature trees support saplings, stabilizing the entire ecosystem.

Successful organizations operate similarly, like a "superorganism." High-performing teams are not only efficient but also deeply connected. They share information freely, readily assist overloaded colleagues, and collaborate based on trust rather than confrontation. The pervasive care within an organization, much like forest nutrients, silently but profoundly transforms its vitality.

Cultivating care

Nurturing "workplace love" doesn't require grand gestures or excessive intrusion into personal lives. Instead, it calls for consistent attention and respect:

The power of 40 seconds: Brief yet sincere interactions can forge meaningful connections. Inquiring about a colleague's soccer game or a sick family member demonstrates that their well-being matters beyond their work output.

Eliminating the pressure of 'self-protection': When leaders openly share life lessons or personal values, they signal that the company is a safe space where employees don't need to conceal their true selves. This empowers employees to unleash creative energy rather than expend it on self-defense.

Concrete kindness: Support colleagues through practical actions, such as: sharing professional resources, making introductions to partners, or generously acknowledging their contributions in team meetings.

By Nhat Minh, *Psychology Today*.