September 11th is always a heavy day. It reminds us that in a single moment, everything can change. Thousands of lives were lost, families were forever altered, and workplaces across the country faced the unthinkable.
Every year, as this day approaches, I reflect on one powerful truth: tomorrow is not promised.
And as managers with direct reports, this truth carries even greater weight. Because our role isn’t just about hitting numbers or completing projects, it’s about how we treat people while we have the chance.
Think of the person you love most in this world.
How do you want them to be treated at work?
- With patience?
- With care?
- With honesty?
- With respect?
Every employee deserves that same level of love in their workplace.
I’ve seen what happens when managers forget this. One manager, I coached overlooked something simple: a team member’s birthday. Not intentionally, just buried under deadlines. But that silence made the employee feel invisible. Once the manager started making space for milestones, birthdays, work anniversaries, personal wins the energy on team shifted. People felt seen.
I’ve also coached managers who leaned into curiosity when something felt off. Instead of jumping to judgment when a top performer slipped, one manager simply asked, “Are you okay?” That single question opened the door to a deeper truth: the employee was caring for a sick parent. Because the manager led with empathy, they were able to offer flexibility. The employee didn’t just stay, they stayed loyal.
And then there’s the other side of love at work: honesty. One manager avoided giving tough feedback because they didn’t want to hurt feelings. But silence only stalled growth. When they reframed feedback as an investment in the employee’s future, everything changed. Love in leadership sometimes looks like honesty delivered with care.
September 11th reminds us that what lasts isn’t the project updates or the performance dashboards, it’s how people felt in our presence.
- Did they feel valued?
- Did they feel safe?
- Did they feel like they mattered?
So as managers with direct reports, the call is clear: lead with love, not later, but now. Because tomorrow is not promised.
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