Being Human at Work: Bringing Somatic Intelligence Into Your Professional Life

by Richard Strozzi-Heckler (Editor)

This anthology of interdisciplinary writings looks at the integration of mind, body, and spirit as it plays out in the workplace—whether in birth coaching, teaching parents, assisting the terminally ill, or working in the military, the classroom, or the corporation. These essays reveal what gets in the way of our humanity in the work world and how to rediscover that humanity. Written by leading professionals in business, education, medicine, technology, finance, psychology, and the military, this collection of essays explores how reconnecting with one’s humanity can result in true leadership in any field.

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Richard Strozzi-Heckler, PhD is founder and Co-Director of Methodology at Strozzi Institute. He has spent over four decades researching, developing and teaching Somatics to business leaders, executive managers, teams from Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, technology start-ups, non-profits, the U.S. government and military.

He was named one of the Top 50 Executive Coaches in The Art and Practice of Leadership Coaching, and in Profiles in Coaching. He is the co-founder of the Mideast Aikido Project (MAP), which brings together Palestinians and Israelis through the practice of Aikido.

Richard is the author of eight books, including The Leadership Dojo, In Search of the Warrior Spirit, The Anatomy of Change, Holding the Center and The Art of Somatic Coaching: Embodying Skillful Action, Wisdom, and Compassion. From 2002 to 2007 he was an advisor to NATO and the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe (SACEUR) General Jim Jones, formally the National Security Advisor.

Richard has a PhD in Psychology and is a sixth degree black belt in the martial art of Aikido.

Reviews

[Matthieu Cornillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who should read this book?
• People curious about somatics

This collection of essays is varied, but reading it, one gets a feel for some of the major reasons to delve into somatics. The variety of authors also tells you a little bit about the breadth of applicability. It will not tell you what somatics is, and certainly won't give you much about how to do it. It feels almost more like a book-length sales pitch on the idea that somatics have a lot to offer, but with just enough depth that it doesn't feel like snake oil (one essay excepted). I'm intrigued to read more.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having submitted a chapter (under my maiden name, Bowen-Davies) how can I do anything but rate this a five star?!Acknowledging my bias, I will move swiftly along and say this is a useful resource for those interested in how a somatic sensibility informs the way we show up in different professional domains, from business to education to health. The illustrious Dr. Richard Strozzi-Heckler brings this anthology together as editor and I thank him for the opportunity to contribute.