Marcus Buckingham on Why Love Is the Missing Ingredient in Leadership and Business

What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer

What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer
Marcus Buckingham on Why Love Is the Missing Ingredient in Leadership and Business
Jun 04, 2026 Season 1 Episode 140
Silicon Valley Change

In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer sits down with renowned researcher, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Marcus Buckingham for a bold and deeply human conversation about leadership, work, and why love may be the most overlooked driver of performance in business today.

Drawing from his research, his years at Gallup, and his own experience building and selling a company, Marcus makes the case that love is not soft fluff layered on top of business. It is a real force that drives trust, loyalty, energy, creativity, and results.

Marcus and Ilene explore why extreme positive experiences matter more than “pretty good” ones, how leaders can intentionally create more life-giving moments at work, and why small practices like weekly check-ins can have an outsized impact on team performance and human flourishing.

This episode is especially relevant for leaders navigating uncertainty, AI, burnout, and fast change, and looking for a more human, evidence-based way forward.


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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.