EPISODE · Jun 11, 2026 · 54 MIN
Can Love Be a Fierce Business Force? | Marcus Buckingham - EP 779
from Passion Struck with John R. Miles · host Passion Struck with John R. Miles
In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Marcus Buckingham, who is a global researcher, pioneer of the strengths movement, and bestselling author of First Break All the Rules, to explore one of the most provocative ideas in modern leadership: love as a fierce business force.Marcus reveals why extreme positive experiences, which people spontaneously describe using the word “love,” are the only true drivers of lasting customer loyalty, employee engagement, resilience, and performance. Drawing on extensive research, he introduces the five sequential feelings (control, harmony, significance, warmth, and growth) that leaders must intentionally design into every experience to help people flourish. In this episode, you'll learn:Why love is the most powerful predictor of productive human behavior in businessThe J-curve effect and why average experiences create zero behavioral changeThe five sequential feelings required to design love into customer and employee experiencesHow to become an “experience maker” who treats every interaction as a cohesive stage playWhy the founder’s flame matters and what happens when organizations drift into loveless machinesThe difference between fleeting moments and transformative experiences that shape long-term loyalty and growthPractical ways to design more loving experiences in meetings, customer interactions, and team leadershipThis conversation reframes leadership as the art of designing human experiences that allow people to shed their armor and become more fully themselves — turning love from a soft concept into a measurable, strategic force for human flourishing and business vitality.Passion Struck is the #1 Health and Wellness Podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.Limited Time Offers:FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order when you go to: ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCKShopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCKFull Show Notes HereDownload the Digital WorkbookRead the Companion Substack ArticleLearn more about Marcus Buckingham:Website: https://marcusbuckingham.com/Book: Design Love InConnect with John Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesChildren’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.DisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Marcus Buckingham, who is a global researcher, pioneer of the strengths movement, and bestselling author of First Break All the Rules, to explore one of the most provocative ideas in modern leadership: love as a fierce business force.Marcus reveals why extreme positive experiences, which people spontaneously describe using the word “love,” are the only true drivers of lasting customer loyalty, employee engagement, resilience, and performance. Drawing on extensive research, he introduces the five sequential feelings (control, harmony, significance, warmth, and growth) that leaders must intentionally design into every experience to help people flourish. In this episode, you'll learn:Why love is the most powerful predictor of productive human behavior in businessThe J-curve effect and why average experiences create zero behavioral changeThe five sequential feelings required to design love into customer and employee experiencesHow to become an “experience maker” who treats every interaction as a cohesive stage playWhy the founder’s flame matters and what happens when organizations drift into loveless machinesThe difference between fleeting moments and transformative experiences that shape long-term loyalty and growthPractical ways to design more loving experiences in meetings, customer interactions, and team leadershipThis conversation reframes leadership as the art of designing human experiences that allow people to shed their armor and become more fully themselves — turning love from a soft concept into a measurable, strategic force for human flourishing and business vitality.Passion Struck is the #1 Health and Wellness Podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.Limited Time Offers:FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order when you go to: ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCKShopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCKFull Show Notes HereDownload the Digital WorkbookRead the Companion Substack ArticleLearn more about Marcus Buckingham:Website: https://marcusbuckingham.com/Book: Design Love InConnect with John Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesChildren’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.DisclaimerThe Passion...
NOW PLAYING
Can Love Be a Fierce Business Force? | Marcus Buckingham - EP 779
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Jan 2, 2026 ·47m
Dec 21, 2025 ·46m