Have you ever paused to consider what drives your daily interactions, both personal and professional? What is motivating you as you relate with different people and make multiple decisions during the day? What is behind your self-talk? It boils down to two powerful motivators: fear and love. Jack Russell's new book, "Lead with Love: A Journey of Discovery," explores this dichotomy, revealing how fear and love profoundly impact our lives.

A Personal Journey

Russell begins by sharing his deeply personal journey. He was a proven, hands-on leader and had dedicated his life to service to others as an Army officer, in multiple jobs, and in his community. He was constantly on the go, physically pushing himself, until one day fatigue hit him like never before. He went from being a jogger to struggling to walk short distances. He began to listen to his body and emotions; to be vulnerable with himself. He began to practice loving himself with empathy, compassion, patience, and forgiveness. Then his belove wife died after a short illness. In the midst of his deepest dark despair, he experienced the embracing power and presence of love. He also realized that this love had healed his debilitating fatigue.

What is this love that comforted and healed him? How do we practice loving ourselves so we can love others more deeply? How does love guide us to know what is the morally right things to do in our daily lives and relationships? Why is self-love so important, and how do we practice it? What does love have to do with leadership?  How does fear and love motivate us in everything we do? What are the different forms of fear that negatively impact our relationships including with ourselves? After a decade of exploration, Russell shares how the answers to these questions impact all of our relationships—personal and professional—and with ourselves.    

The Fear-to-Love Spectrum

The Fear-to-Love Spectrum presented in the book is a proven, powerful tool for helping to identify what is motivating  us or someone else in a situation. It highlights the fluidity of human emotions, behavior, and moral courage. At one end of the spectrum is fear resulting in separation, conflict, and reactive, gut-feeling decisions. At the other end is love, a proactive, inclusive, and empowering force that fosters connection, trust, and decisions that support the collective well-being and productivity.

In conclusion

“Lead with Love: A Journey of Discovery” challenges the traditional models of leadership based on hierarchical power and control, and influencing people to get a job done. True leadership is about relationships; how we connect heart-to-heart regardless of who we are. It’s being love-in-action, beginning with ourselves, in our professional and personal lives. It’s when fear collides with love, and love wins!