Super U Podcast | Humane Leadership with Marcel Schwantes
Today, Erik sits down with Marcel Schwantes. Marcel is a speaker, author, acclaimed executive coach, and an Inc. Magazine Contributing Editor with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. Marcel hosts the popular “Love in Action” podcast, heard in over 160 countries.
Need a sneak peek? Below are the main takeaways from the episode.
Super U Podcast | Humane Leadership with Marcel Schwantes
Episode Preview:
“What’s a common thread that you see with all the people you coach or maybe people you don’t coach as well?”
“There’s a common theme I see—the number one thing holding most people back is self-awareness, or the lack of it. I wonder if you notice this too. It’s the inability to step back and look at your own behaviors, your own systems—even the way you run your business.
It comes down to systems, processes, and people. You need to step back and build awareness around what’s really going on—what your current reality is. Too many leaders just put the pedal down and keep barreling forward. They don’t slow down enough to look at their surroundings, seek perspective, get curious, and recognize limitations—their own limitations. That’s where blind spots come in.
It’s not just personal blind spots, but also those of your management team. How are they viewing the work around them? What blind spots are affecting everyday decision-making? As leaders, we make decisions hourly—sometimes minute by minute. So we have to ask: how are we contributing to the problem, if there is one?
It starts with us—self-assessing first. From there, we can start to shift behavior patterns. So yes, it all begins with building self-awareness.”
About the Book
Marcel Schwantes’ book, Humane Leadership, is a practical guide to building workplaces where people thrive—not just survive. Centered on the concept of “Love in Action,” the book introduces a framework for humane leadership based on five core principles:
- Leadership is Patient
- Leadership is Kind
- Leadership is Humble
- Leadership Advocates for People
- Leadership is Trustworthy
Drawing on cutting-edge research and real-world case studies, Schwantes demonstrates that leading with love isn’t just beneficial for individuals—it’s also a winning strategy for organizations. This book is designed for leaders who are ready to challenge outdated norms and cultivate workplaces that foster engagement, loyalty, and exceptional performance.
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The Super U Podcast is hosted by #1 bestselling author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman.
