Teri Burgos-Gutierrez, Corporate Trainer

Teri Gutierrez is a corporate trainer, author, speaker, and web columnist. She can be reached at gutierrez_teri@yahoo.com.

KEEP THE BURNING LOVE IN THE WORKPLACE 2007

“In the arena of human life, the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.” Aristotle

Love is the most important word in the English language. Everyone agrees that love plays a central role in life. We have heard clichés such as “love makes the world go round”, “what the world needs now is love sweet love”, and “love is a many-splendored thing.” Themes of thousands of books, movies, songs, and literary works continue to dwell on this immortal topic.

                                                  Primary Human Need

Psychologists have concluded that the need to feel loved is a primary human emotional need. Again as sayings go, one can climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest sea, traverse the most distant desert, and endure the most difficult hardships---all for the sake of love.

                                                Keeping the Love Burning

If we all agree that the word love permeates human society in the past and in the present, we must also agree that it is also most essential to keep it burning in the workplace where we spend most of our time other than home.

As we start the New Year, let us fill the workplace with simple acts of love with our co-workers and friends. We all believe that our lives have meanings and that we are able to positively impact the workplace around us. But sometimes one wonders: what can just one person do?

                                                      Love Action Plan
              
With sage advice, engaging style, and a great sense of humor, this simple list invites you to set aside excuses and reservations to begin 2007 by changing your workplace – one moment and one co-worker at a time. You may not be able to save all the fish in the ocean or inspire world leaders to live in peace, but your single act of love and kindness can make a difference in the lives of your co-workers you see each day.

1. Speak with kind words and tone.
2. Listen to your co-workers.
3. Offer to help with workload.
4. Compliment your friends at work.
5. Do some “dirty work” for your colleagues.
6. Buy goodies or share your food.
7. Invite your co-worker to walk with you.
8. Send congratulatory card or e-mail.
9. Ask for advice.
10. Smile. 

These are but a few examples to get you started at work. After you’ve tried doing some of them, note the changes you have seen in your co-worker. Then, note the changes you have seen in yourself, too. These can help you find peace in yourself and attain better relationships in your workplace.