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Aspen Root Collective

🌱Rooted in Potential | What's Love Got to do with It? Everything (If You Want to Keep Your Best People)💖

Published 8 months ago • 6 min read

February 2026

What's Love Got to Do with It? Everything (If You Want to Keep Your Best People)đź’–

A Note from the Roots

February has us thinking about love—and we know what you're thinking: "Here we go with the Valentine's hearts and chocolates." But stick with us for a minute.

We grew up being told there were certain things you just don't talk about at work: money, politics, religion, and love. These were the unwritten rules of professional boundaries, the guardrails that kept things "appropriate." And in today's world that seems determined to throw out every old rule in the book (some of which, let's be honest, we wish would stay!), maybe it's time we reconsider at least one of them.

What if the one thing we should be talking about—and doing more of—is showing a little more love at work?

Now, before HR managers everywhere break out in hives, let's be clear: we're not talking about romantic love. Please, PLEASE keep those PDA-ridden HR nightmares at home where they belong. We're talking about a different kind of love entirely.

Love, according to Merriam-Webster, is "a deep affection for someone or something, enthusiasm, warm attachment, or devotion." It's "an unselfish loyalty and a concern for the good of others."

Read that last part again. Unselfish loyalty. Concern for the good of others.

That's not just something HR managers can get behind—that's the very foundation of employee engagement.

When we show our teams genuine care, when we demonstrate that we're invested in their growth and wellbeing, when we create workplaces where people feel valued and supported—that's love in action. And it's not soft or sentimental; it's strategic. The research is clear: engaged employees are more productive, more innovative, and far more likely to stick around.

This month, we're diving deep into what it really means to create a workplace culture worth staying for. We'll be sharing insights about the Gallup Q12 employee engagement survey all month long—the 12 questions that are the gold standard for understanding what matters most to your team.

Make sure to follow us on all the socials (especially LinkedIn at @AspenRootCollective) for:

  • Tips on improving employee engagement that you can implement this week
  • Deep dives into the 12 questions and why they predict performance and retention
  • The greatest myths about team engagement (debunked with data)
  • Real stories of how we've seen this work impact clients right here in Indiana

We've also created a free resource for you this month: 5 Questions Every Leader Should Ask Their Team in Q1 (see below). Because sometimes showing love starts with simply asking the right questions—and actually listening to the answers.

So here's to breaking a few old rules. Here's to bringing a little more heart into our leadership. And here's to discovering what happens when we stop being afraid to care deeply about the people who show up for our organizations every single day.

With love (yes, we said it),

Amy & Sarah ​
Aspen Root Collective

P.S. Who knew that when Tina Turner asked, "What's love got to do with it?", she was talking about employee engagement?

Collective Connections | Love Your LinkedIn

Don't Get Left Out; Get LinkedIn (The Right Way!)

Wednesday, February 11th, from Noon to 1 pm at The DeKalb Chamber Partnership

Remember when we said love at work is about building genuine relationships? Let's talk about how it connects to LinkedIn. Back by Popular Demand, we're offering an opportunity to explore the powerful connection opportunity that can be had by harnessing the power of LinkedIn.

LinkedIn isn't just for job seekers—it's one of the most underutilized tools for cultivating authentic professional relationships. Whether you're a leader building your team's culture, an entrepreneur growing your network, or a community connector amplifying your impact, this workshop will help you tap into LinkedIn's full potential.

We’ll cover:
➡️Why LinkedIn is different from other social platforms (and why it matters)

➡️How to create a profile that invites genuine connection

➡️Simple strategies for posting authentic, value-driven content

➡️Tips to optimize your experience for grounded, lasting growth

Leave with practical tips you can implement immediately—and a network that grows with purpose, not just numbers.

A few important notes: This will be our last official Collective Connections session as we revamp the program for 2026. We're exploring open-enrollment "Introduction to Strengths" sessions and bringing back other client favorites—and we'd love your input on the content you'd like to see and when.

Space is limited, and reservations are requested. Plan to bring your own lunch and leave with a full plate of ideas.

Love is a Battlefield, and a bridge to connection!

Early in my career, I was taught something that took me years to unlearn: "You can't be friends with the people you manage. And if you are, you'll never be able to hold them accountable."

That belief was tested almost immediately when I stepped into my first high-stakes leadership role, where performance mattered—and relationships did too. What I learned instead was the art of tough love: leadership rooted in care, clarity, and an uncompromising commitment to helping people achieve excellence.

Here's what I learned: No one comes to work hoping to fail. And when someone couldn't succeed in their role, the most loving thing we could do was help them find a place where they could—even if that meant letting them go. Years later, I'm still close with people I once had to transition out. Why? Because they weren't blindsided. Because accountability never came as a surprise.

In this month’s Rooted Reflections blog, I’m sharing a story from early in my career—and how it connects to Gallup’s research from their book, First, Break All the Rules, and why love may be one of the most underutilized leadership tools in our workplaces right now.

Rooted Reflections is our monthly dive into the real, messy, beautiful work of leadership. We share what we're learning, what we're unlearning, and what keeps us rooted in this work.

What We're Loving This Month!

First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham, Jim Harter, & Gallup

This book was initially released in 1999, and yet its lessons remain not just relevant but almost revolutionary.

First, Break All the Rules established the science of employee engagement. Since its release, Gallup has helped organizations around the world measure engagement for more than 30 million employees. Over the past three decades, the results are clear: engagement is declining worldwide. But the organizations bucking that trend? They're seeing elite-level performance. And it didn't happen by accident.

They did something intentional and different. They invested in their managers—the people who impact 70% of employee engagement—who have the unique ability to simultaneously look out for the organization's best interest while improving the lives of the people they lead.

This book identifies the key metrics that matter: backed by science, linked to performance, and actionable at the local level. If you're serious about engagement, this is where you start.

But here's the kicker: Right now, the hardcover copy is on sale on Amazon for just $14.07 (61% off). And it comes with an access code to take the CliftonStrengths assessment—which alone is worth $24.99. You're basically getting the book for free AND getting paid $10 to read it. Already taken the assessment? Give the code to someone you love. If you've been waiting for a sign to invest in your leadership toolkit, this is it.

Our take: It's a classic for a reason. And in 2025, we need it more than ever. What's not to love?

Full disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our Amazon link (we're new at this, so we think that's how it works!). Either way, we genuinely love this book and think it's worth every penny—especially at this price.

Downloadable Resource: 5 Questions Every Leader Should Ask in the First Quarter

Start the Conversations That Matter

Love at work starts with listening. These five questions help you check in on engagement before small issues become big problems.

Inside this free guide:

  • Why Q1 is your window of opportunity to prevent turnover
  • Five powerful questions to ask every team member
  • What to listen for in their answers
  • How to turn insights into action

Download your free conversation framework and start showing your team you're paying attention.

Can't Get Enough of Your Love...of Engagement?

As the great Barry White would say, we've got so much more love coming your way.

All February long, we're diving deep into the Q12 engagement survey on social media—these 12 questions are the gold standard for understanding what your team really needs.

Follow us @AspenRootCollective for:

✨ Engagement tips you can implement immediately- without dropping down on one knee
✨ Myth-busting what actually drives engagement- no dark chocolate required
✨ Real stories from Indiana businesses seeing results

Because when it comes to building workplaces people love, we're just getting started.

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Aspen Root Collective

Growing leaders grounded in strengths.

Aspen Root Collective focuses on a strengths-based approach to development and growth for organizations and individuals, maximizing our expertise as certified Gallup™ Global Strengths Coaches.

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