Review
"The Congruent Life is by far the clearest and most comprehensive examination of the intellectual, emotional, psychological, and spiritual imperatives that provide the fertile soil in which a rich inner life and a successful business career can grow together." --James A. Autry, author of Real Power: Business Lessons from the TaoTe Ching
"This is a masterful book, at once challenging and encouraging, authoritative and innovative. Thompson's ideas are profound and his research is impeccable, engaging and rich with practical applications." --Gerald G. May, author of Will and Spirit and The Awakened Heart
"Spirituality and work is a popular topic these days, but few who talk or write about it do so with the grounding and insight that Michael Thompson has to offer. Thompson provides a guide to the subject that is sound in its scholarship, compelling in its presentation, and immediately applicable to contemporary lives." --Parker J. Palmer, author of Let Your Life Speak and The Courage to Teach
"Among all the books that have been appearing on this subject, Michael Thompson's voice is one of the calmest, wisest, and most helpful I know. He has something significant to say on every aspect of the subject." --Peter B. Vaill, author, Spirited Leading and Learning: Process Wisdom for a New Age
From the Inside Flap
Amidst the chaos and complexity of our daily lives, most all of us feel the need for a deeper sense of meaning. And more and more of us are searching for that meaning in the offices where we spend the majority of our waking hours. In The Congruent Life, consultant and counselor C. Michael Thompson weaves together the disparate strands of spirituality, depth psychology, and adult development theory to explore what this search consists of, what we may encounter along the way, and what the implications will be for our lives and our organizations.Thompson reunites two subjects that have long been separated--what we do for personal fulfillment and what we do for a living. He traces the history of this separation and examines how a change in our attitudes toward work and a shift in our definition of spirituality can lead us back to a more congruent life. Spirituality, as Thompson defines it, is not adherence to any particular creed or dogma, but a life orientation that creates meaning and purpose in all aspects of our lives, including our work lives. Good leadership is the fruit of that life orientation, rather than a set of skills and competencies. Thompson shows that leadership is a process of growth and maturation fed by the leader's inner spirit and he explains how such inspired leadership is essential in meeting the challenges the future holds for businesses, non-profits, and organizations of all types.Thompson's insights are interwoven with case studies from his work as an executive coach and spiritual director. Each chapter contains questions and exercises for further reflection. Thompson concludes the book with recommended practices, disciplines, and resources that will help readers and their organizations enjoy the outer fruits of a richer inner life.
