Shermin Kruse: Why Stoic Empathy is the Balance Leaders Need

What can stoicism teach us about empathy in modern life? This centuries-old philosophy can be directly applied to what we face now in our workplaces and our world.

Shermin Kruse is here to talk to us about her latest book, Stoic Empathy. She shares what stoic empathy means and how the fusion of these seemingly opposing forces is particularly relevant today. She shares her personal story and how her immigrant journey shaped her understanding of empathy and stoicism. Sher also talks about how she leveraged stoic empathy as a lawyer to great success. We discuss practical tools for building influence and emotional regulation that you can start using today with your employees, your partner, or your kids!

Whether you’re a corporate leader, educator, parent, or simply seeking tools to navigate personal and professional challenges with integrity, you will love this conversation!

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Most of our relationships are long-term. Those are whom you owe a long-term duty to engage in and sustain that relationship.
• Our control in this world is not fixed - everything changes, everything evolves, and we need to be able to accept that we can’t change and control everything.
• Stoicism allows you to make informed and deliberate decisions rather than reactive decisions, especially in difficult situations.
• Create relationships where you feel safe and are willing to trust the other person, even if you may not understand or agree in the moment.

"Know that silence is not submission, pause is not acceptance, and that even understanding is not agreement." —  Shermin Kruse

Episode References: 

• Robin Dreeke: Spycraft and the Leadership Code of Trust
• Chris L. Johnson: When Leaders Pause, They Win
• Renee Metty: Why Mindfulness Makes You a Better Leader
• Laura Vanderkam: https://lauravanderkam.com/ 

From Our Partner:

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About Shermin Kruse: Corporate Advisor, Law Professor, and Author of Stoic Empathy

Shermin Kruse is a globally recognized author, negotiation consultant, law professor, and TEDx producer specializing in stoic Empathy, leadership, and complex negotiation, leadership, and complex negotiation. Born in Tehran during political upheaval, she immigrated to Canada as a child, later earning degrees in philosophy and neuropsychology from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

She is the author of Butterfly Stitching, a critically acclaimed novel, and Global Transactions and Regulation, a key resource for law and business professionals. Her latest book, Stoic Empathy, blends cognitive empathy with stoic principles to offer a transformative framework for leadership, influence, and resilience.

Shermin continues to champion empathy, resilience, and ethical leadership through her work in academia, business, and the non-profit sector.

Connect with Shermin ("Sher") Kruse:

Website: sherminkruse.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shermin-kruse

Facebook: facebook.com/sher.kruse

Instagram: instagram.com/sher_kruse

Book: Stoic Empathy. Also on her website.

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

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