September 11th is always a heavy day. It reminds us that in a single moment, everything can change. Thousands of lives were lost, families were forever altered, and workplaces across the country faced the unthinkable.
Every year, as this day approaches, I reflect on one powerful truth: tomorrow is not promised.
And as managers with direct reports, this truth carries even greater weight. Because our role isn’t just about hitting numbers or completing projects, it’s about how we treat people while we have the chance.
Think of the person you love most in this world.
How do you want them to be treated at work?
- With patience?
- With care?
- With honesty?
- With respect?
Every employee deserves that same level of love in their workplace.
I’ve seen what happens when managers forget this. One manager, I coached overlooked something simple: a team member’s birthday. Not intentionally, just buried under deadlines. But that silence made the employee feel invisible. Once the manager started making space for milestones, birthdays, work anniversaries, personal wins the energy on team shifted. People felt seen.
I’ve also coached managers who leaned into curiosity when something felt off. Instead of jumping to judgment when a top performer slipped, one manager simply asked, “Are you okay?” That single question opened the door to a deeper truth: the employee was caring for a sick parent. Because the manager led with empathy, they were able to offer flexibility. The employee didn’t just stay, they stayed loyal.
And then there’s the other side of love at work: honesty. One manager avoided giving tough feedback because they didn’t want to hurt feelings. But silence only stalled growth. When they reframed feedback as an investment in the employee’s future, everything changed. Love in leadership sometimes looks like honesty delivered with care.
September 11th reminds us that what lasts isn’t the project updates or the performance dashboards, it’s how people felt in our presence.
- Did they feel valued?
- Did they feel safe?
- Did they feel like they mattered?
So as managers with direct reports, the call is clear: lead with love, not later, but now. Because tomorrow is not promised.
Here’s How You Can Amplify My Work (3 Quick Actions):
1️⃣ Tell your HR team about the Supercharged Management Accelerator—a program designed to helps managers at every level navigate various dynamics in organizations.
2️⃣ Pre-order my new book, Supercharged Teams and help spread the word! 📘 Post this message on your LinkedIn feed and tag me:
I just pre-ordered Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence by Netta Jenkins and you should too. You should too!
3️⃣ Leave a Review once you’ve read it. If you’re a manager, aspiring leader, or simply care about building teams that drive real business impact, this book was written with you in mind.
About the Author
From securing an $8M breakthrough inside a global fintech to being named CEO of the very platform she built, Netta Jenkins has mastered the art of turning bold ideas into lasting business transformation. With a LinkedIn community of over 200,000, she’s the CEO redefining how organizations drive employee engagement and performance through AI. A two-time Wiley author, Netta’s work has been amplified by Arianna Huffington to more than 10 million people. Her latest book, Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence, gives leaders the playbook to transform everyday teams into high-performing powerhouses.
As founder of HIC, a workplace consulting firm and creator of HIC HR Hub, a private community for senior HR leaders to share and gain new insights. She also hosts Beyond Management™, a viral LinkedIn leadership series with over 50 million impressions, where she sparks street-level conversations that elevate employer brands, attract top talent, and inspire customers. A seasoned TEDx and international keynote speaker, Netta has energized audiences across the U.S., Ghana, the Netherlands, and Turkey with bold insights and measurable takeaways. With 15+ years of global advisory experience, she shares weekly video tips that empower managers at every level. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, McKinsey, Forbes, Fortune, and more. Named one of CIO Views’ Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow.
Netta helps organizations connect workplace culture, technology, and performance to deliver measurable, lasting impact. Previously serving as VP of Global Inclusive Strategy at IAC, Netta partnered with brands like Match.com, Vimeo, and Daily Beast. She advises Betterment, consults executives via the Intro app, and is pursuing a doctorate in quality systems. Currently, she collaborates with Marc Lore (former CEO of Walmart) and Preet Bharara (former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York) to build Telosa, a visionary new city in America. Residing on the East Coast with her family, Netta continues to make a transformative impact in both the corporate and startup landscapes.
