Why Fear-Based Workplaces Need to Disappear with Marcel Schwantes

About this episode

Marcel Schwantes discusses the detrimental effects of fear-based workplaces and the importance of human-centered leadership.

Episode recap Don’t forget Marcel’s special offer to join his Substack community for $8.00/month. Subscribe here: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/subscribe In this solo episode, Marcel Schwantes discussed the impact of fear in the workplace, explaining how it stifles creativity, innovation, and collaboration. He highlighted that fear-based environments lead to disengagement, turnover, and low morale, while human-centered leadership fosters psychological safety and trust. Marcel emphasized the importance of leaders addressing their blind spots and modifying behaviors to create a positive workplace culture. He stressed that hiring and developing leaders based on technical competence alone is insufficient, urging a focus on humanity and human-centered attributes. Marcel encouraged listeners to subscribe to his Substack for further insights on effective human-centered leadership. Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. He partners with organizations tired of burnout, disengagement, and hollow cultures — and ready to build something better. Marcel’s work includes: Executive coaching Leadership development programs for…

People in this episode

Host: Marcel Schwantes

Topics covered

• fear in the workplace
• human-centered leadership
• workplace culture
• employee engagement
• leadership development

Keywords

• fear-based environments
• psychological safety
• trust
• creativity
• innovation
• disengagement
• turnover
• low morale
• humanity
• leadership attributes

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Substack

Books & works: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love

More episodes of Love in Action

• Becoming The Kind Of Leader People Wish They Had Growing Up with Marcel Schwantes · May 22, 2026 · 13 min
• The Case for Kindness to Make Our World a Better Place with Steven Sawalich · May 18, 2026 · 40 min
• The World’s First Chief Heart Officer on How to Embrace Being Yourself at Work with Claude Silver · May 8, 2026 · 51 min
• Five Core Values That Shape Who We Are and How We Think, with Andy Crocker · May 1, 2026 · 50 min
• The Mindset to Unlocking Leadership Excellence and Impact with Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore · April 24, 2026 · 58 min
• The Most Important Decisions CEOs Must Make When Stepping Into a New Position, with Mike Robinson · April 17, 2026 · 43 min