TLP290: "How can I be a good person and do well at work?"

Scott Shute was the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion Programs at LinkedIn, and specializes in combining the practicalities of leading in the modern business world with the wisdom of ancient traditions to help individuals and companies be leaders in conscious business. He is also the author of “The Full Body Yes,” that shows how to find a meaningful life, and meaningful work. Scott brings his years of expertise in mental well-being to share how leaders can better support their staff when so many people are currently disengaged.   Key Takeaways [3:50] Companies that have fully transferred into the information age, like LinkedIn, have no hard assets. Their only asset of value is their people. [6:15] Jobs aren’t fun. Leaders need to think about different ways on how to design a job that’s engaging. [6:20] Scott shares his definition of compassion and how it works in a business setting. [7:45] If you only focus on shareholder interests, you are less profitable. However, if you focus on providing value for employees and customers, you perform better than the S&P 500. [9:00] If you treat all of your employees the same, then guess what, they’ll look for a more engaging boss that cares. [10:50] You often hear, “bring your whole self to work” but no one wants to hear about your messy divorce every day at work. Scott explores what this phrase really means. [13:25] Scott realizes that most of the classes he took in university were useless for the real world. [13:55] Our well-being used to be taboo to talk about, but now the dialogue has opened up because of what we’re going through as a collective. [21:15] When you want truth as much as you want air to breathe, then that’s when you’ll find it. [27:20] Scott talks about the concept of Ikigai and how it can be used as a good filter to determine whether you’re on the right path. [32:50] Every tough situation we go through only builds self-awareness and compassion for other people. [37:50] A good exercise is to keep asking yourself why. Why do you want what you currently want? Why, why, why? You’ll often discover that you just want to be fulfilled and achieve happiness. [39:55] With everything happening “now” or in an instant, Scott shares how leaders can help train their team to practice delayed gratification. [42:00] Listener challenge: Take a moment to say I love you to yourself.   Quotable Quotes “Fifty-six percent of Americans are currently actively looking for their next role. My belief is that that 56% will find leaders that do invest in them.” “To be a great leader, you have to be a student of the game. You watch great leaders and listen to podcasts, and have a growth mindset.” “Why are you being so upset? I realized it was because I was so invested and attached to the outcome.” “It starts with self-compassion. It starts with the idea that you love yourself.”   Resources Mentioned Sponsored by: Grab Scott’s book,