Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

LOVE: A Radical Force for Growth How Passion, Purpose, and Connection Shape Our Work and Relationships

What if love wasn’t just a feeling, but a strategy? For individuals and professionals in Maryland and DC, love, when applied with intention, can transform how we lead, relate, and grow. This post explores the work of leadership expert Steve Farber and reflects on how love fuels resilience, connection, and purpose in therapy and life.

LOVE

Steve Farber is a motivational speaker and successful entrepreneur who speaks to big business and small about the power and importance of LOVE. That may sound strange. Does love really belong in the work force? Many recent scandals would tell you that maybe he is on the wrong track. But, he has clearly found the one element that can improve productivity, decrease waist, guarantee quality, and provide meaningful growth for any endeavor. Loving what you do and why you do it is key to success and satisfaction. Check out his daily messages here:

Extreme Leadership Underground Daily Audio Message

What would happen if you applied this principle to your life? Do you love what you do? Did you used to love what you do?

I love the work that I do! From the very beginning of my practice, I have loved working one on one with children, teens and adults. The human spirit is fascinating and the most resilient entity. We are designed to take some hard knocks and get up again. We can choose to use those sometimes-gruesome experiences for growth rather than retain them for harm. Lest you doubt this, I can assure you that even the most physically and emotionally abused can use the remnants of their experiences for growth.

We are born connected to another human being. We seek connection for the rest of our lives. As we connect with others, we tap into different parts of ourselves. This is most evident in adolescence. Teens run a variety of experiments using various parts of themselves. They “try on” different personality traits and different ways of interacting with others. This experimentation is meant to happen in the safety of relationship with their parents. Mom and Dad are to have some flexible boundaries that can tolerate experimentation and provide guidance as well. You might think of adolescence as a child moving into a Bouncy House where the walls and floors are flexible and they can perform various tricks and maneuvers without serious harm as they develop skills for balance, exploration, enthusiasm and purpose in their lives.

Loving your teen requires courage. You have to be willing to stand outside of the Bouncy House and observe carefully while not overreaching with advise and direction.

Whether you’re leading a team or raising a teen, love is a powerful force for transformation. If you’re seeking support in reconnecting with your purpose or navigating relationships with compassion, explore therapy for adults and families in DC or learn more about therapeutic approaches in Maryland and DC that help you lead with heart.