Episode Summary
Peter Bregman reading from Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s The Invitation and Rumi’s The Guest House, and discussing proper empathy.
Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.
When I was in Lisbon recently, I had one of those lovely moments of meeting a kindred spirit. It’s not the same as meeting someone who’s interesting or lovely, instead, there’s a recognition of ‘you and I, we are similarly weird and interesting.’ I gave Steven D’Souza my book, and he gave me his new book, Not Being. It’s a great book that tries to navigate similar big questions that I mull over. In one section, he wrote: “Now I find more truth in poetry than in prose; in nature than in classrooms. I’ve come to the point where I’m tired of the narrative of development, and exhausted by the imperative for self-improvement. I’m ending the search. I want to enjoy life on the other side of these personal development projects.”
You don’t typically hear the first question I ask my guests; Who are you, what’s your story? Sometimes people plunge into that with gusto, sometimes there’s a bit of a nervous laugh – but Peter Bregman sat with this question longer than most of us, and revealed that he’s more than his résumé of being a coach, teacher, and author.
Peter reads two poems; ‘The Invitation’ by Oriah Mountain Dreamer [reading begins at 11:40], and ‘The Guest House’ by Rumi. [reading begins at 14:40]
Hear us discuss:
- “I live my life in relation to emotion.” [16:51]
- Continuing to be ambitious after achievements. [18:22]
- You Can Change Other People: “We all are learning how to be honest without learning how to be helpful.” [20:46]
- Acknowledging and responding to struggle: “If you can’t empathise, you will never be an ally.” [23:55]
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Resources:
Peter Bregman | Website | Bregman Leadership Podcast | You Can Change Other People: The Four Steps to Help Your Colleagues, Employees―Even Family―Up Their Game | Leading With Emotional Courage: How to Have Hard Conversations, Create Accountability, And Inspire Action On Your Most Important Work
Oriah Mountain Dreamer | The Invitation
Jalaluddin Rumi | The Guest House
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