The Congruent Life: Following the Inward Path to Fulfilling Work and Inspired Leadership

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.…