How to Put the Romance Back in Business? With Tim Leberecht
Have you ever wondered about the importance of romance in our lives and that we can find it in and through business? But also how to strike the perfect balance between career ambitions and personal happiness? In today's episode, Emilie Bellet is joined by Tim Leberecht, an author, curator, and entrepreneur, known as the co-founder of the House of Beautiful Business.
How to Put the Romance Back in Business? With Tim Leberecht
You can listen (31 min) and subscribe here:
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PUTTING THE ROMANCE BACK INTO BUSINESS
Tim Leberecht, co-founder of the House of Beautiful Business and a self-proclaimed humanist in Silicon Valley. Tim brings a refreshing take on how artificial intelligence is shaping our lives and workplaces. He's all about designing businesses prioritising more than just dominating the market. Instead, he champions a human-centric approach that makes work truly beautiful and meaningful.
Tim kicks things off by talking about a book that rocked his world a few years back, "The Business Romantic." This book flipped the script on how we see business, suggesting that romance isn't just for love stories—it's part of business too.
The discussion is about the idea of being a "business romantic," which can raise eyebrows in the corporate world. Emilie agrees with Tim—they both see it as embracing strong values and a mindful approach to business.
“Who does not want to be a romantic? People consider it a key ingredient of living a beautiful life, worth living. But when it comes to business, and I ask people who are a business romantic, who is romantic about their work, fewer hands go up. And that is because business and romance at first glance appear to be fundamentally at odds.”
what does it mean to be a business romantic?
The conversation dives deeper into what it means to be a business romantic. While some see it as a clash between romance and practicality in business, Tim argues that the future of business needs both intelligence and heart. He points to leaders like Steve Jobs and Amy Elizabeth Fox as examples of blending rationality with emotional intelligence.
Moving from the world of finance to starting a business is a big shift. It forces a rethink of business and how we fit into it. We've come a long way from the days of Taylorism, where management aimed to control creativity and output with cold efficiency. Then came the digital age, obsessed with data and metrics, leaving little room for beauty or humanity in business.
beyond the metrics
How can we make work more meaningful—even magical?
There's a revolt brewing against this soulless approach to business. Tim and others are leading the way in bringing beauty back into business. They're all about reintroducing emotions, rituals, and depth into a world obsessed with numbers. Sometimes, the best solutions aren't found in spreadsheets but in embracing ambiguity and human complexity.
Platforms like the House of Beautiful Business are leading the way. They're all about creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work. And research backs it up—companies that prioritize things like psychological safety tend to be more successful in the long run.
Beauty in business isn't just about making things pretty. It's about creating workplaces where people can thrive. In a world where AI and automation are taking over, the human touch becomes even more crucial. Businesses can't just be about profits—they need to be about people too.
pushing the boundaries
Finding meaning in work is a universal quest. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or striking out on your own, it's about more than just making money. It's about finding your purpose and making a positive impact on the world.
Priya Parker's book, ‘The Art of Gathering’ has been a game-changer for Tim, offering valuable insights for creating meaningful experiences in business. And the journey of building the House of Beautiful Business has been nothing short of inspiring. It's all about challenging the status quo and creating a space where innovation and imagination can flourish.
But it's not always easy. Balancing tradition with innovation can be a tricky dance. And creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported takes effort. But it's worth it—because when people feel like they belong, they do their best work.
Tim encourages us to keep the conversation going and continue to push the boundaries of what business can be. Because when we bring beauty back into business, we all thrive. And that's a future worth working for.
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RESOURCES:
Tim Leberecht’s page: http://timleberecht.com/
The House of Beautiful Business: https://houseofbeautifulbusiness.com/
Priya Parker's ‘The Art of Gathering’