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What’s love got to do with it?

Everything

Bedrock Leaders must be dedicated students of love. I draw upon Plato’s concept of love, which encompasses multiple forms and manifestations. For Plato, love is not merely physical or emotional attraction but a complex force that drives individuals to pursue the divine and the good. He describes a “Ladder of Love,” a ladder available to every human, though few choose to climb it.

This journey begins with the most basic form of love: physical attraction and desire. As we mature, though not everyone does so in this way, love expands into a spiritual love, a desire for the beauty of the soul and mind. It evolves into love for virtues, wisdom, and goodness in others. Beyond this lies Divine Love, what Plato referred to as the love of the Form of the Good. This is the ultimate principle of reality, truth, and morality, illuminating and giving meaning to all other Forms. It is the light that allows the mind to understand and know all other Forms.

Why Study Love?

Understanding Human Relationships

Bedrock Leaders are leaders in every aspect of their lives; thus, they are relationship builders. Love is a fundamental aspect of human relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic. By studying love, we understand how relationships form, evolve, and sometimes deteriorate. This insight helps us navigate personal connections more effectively, enhancing the leader’s ability to influence others healthily.

Interpersonal Communication

Understanding love enhances communication in relationships. Reflecting on relationships that work and those that don’t, we see a clear connection between communication and love. But which comes first, a mutual ability to communicate or love for your fellow human? Without fail, when communication is suboptimal, it improves immediately when you choose to approach the unique person you are communicating with from a place of love. Of course, there are plenty of situations where this is easier said than done.

Personal Growth and Fulfillment

Love is closely tied to self-identity, self-worth, and personal fulfillment. Exploring different forms of love leads to greater self-awareness and personal development. Understanding love helps leaders better manage emotions, make ethical decisions, and unlock deeper meaning.

Ethical and Moral Development

Love is the cornerstone of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Every major religion has some form of this rule. Love also underpins the Cardinal Virtue of Justice. Throughout history, philosophers have studied love to understand how it shapes virtuous actions and promotes the common good. By examining love, we can explore how it motivates our actions toward others.

Social and Cultural Impact

Love plays a significant role in shaping societies and cultures. Bedrock Leaders continuously study the bigger picture, enhancing their ability to influence social structures, norms, and practices in ways that nurture human flourishing.

Mental and Emotional Health

Feeling love for and from others is essential to physical and emotional well-being. Positive experiences of love and a sense of belonging lead to happiness, resilience, and mental health, while difficulties in love can contribute to emotional distress and physical strain. Understanding the dynamics of love is crucial for fostering physical and psychological well-being.

Philosophical Inquiry

Love is a profound subject of philosophical inquiry, addressing questions about the nature of human experience, ethics, and the good life. For Bedrock Leaders, this matters because of love’s power as a force that drives human actions, informs moral choices, and connects individuals to something greater than themselves. While it’s easy to dismiss these philosophical perspectives as lacking immediate utility, they are invaluable for enhancing critical thinking and expanding our understanding of human nature.

Artistic and Literary Expression

Love is a central theme in art, literature, music, and other forms of creative expression. Studying love through these mediums allows us to explore the complexities of human emotions, desires, and experiences. It also enriches our appreciation of cultural artifacts and their reflection on human life. More than ever, a leader who fails to understand the importance of this becomes an obstacle to their organization’s ability to solve problems.

Conclusion

Love is a high form of the Good. Studying it enhances our understanding of human experience, contributes to personal and societal well-being, and addresses some of the most profound questions about life, ethics, and human nature. Leaders grow in their influence to the degree that they choose the right problems to solve and create healthy space for solutions. When those choices are informed by love, they have the potential to be truly great for humanity.