Become a Compassionate Achiever and Fuel Success [REVIEW]

Compassion grows when we talk less and listen more. (Photo by B.B., Flickr)

For years, we’ve been taught to put self first, to push ahead of the crowd if we want to be a success in life. Recent studies show that belief system is antiquated, however, and it’s time for us to make a change. That’s why Christopher L. Kukk, Ph.D. is ready to teach us all how to help others and find lasting success in his new book, The Compassionate Achiever.

HarperOne

Who knew that compassion is one of the strongest characteristics that build success? I didn’t! That’s why I loved reading Dr. Kukk’s book, because through it he has broadened my outlook on compassion.

“Compassion grows when we talk less and listen more.”

This simple sentence is so profound! When I first came across it, it literally forced me to take a step back and analyze if and when I listen to others. It made me ask myself: “If I am not listening, how can I actively be engaged in conversations with others?”

My husband will tell you that like a lot of folks, I am not always comfortable with silence. If it goes on too long, it can become uncomfortable. Kukk introduces a way to embrace the silence.

“Silence offers an opportunity to heighten your awareness of the present moment and assess what’s been said and how it’s been said. Silence is filled with meaning.”

Now I can use these moments to refocus my attention to the conversation at hand.

Sometimes, I get so caught up in getting things accomplished, I forget to stay in the moment with others, including my spouse, friends or colleagues. As a result, I can get impatient because I am so focused on accomplishing my goal I forget to attend to the needs of others. That’s why I truly appreciated reading this book.

Kukk provides practical ways to reorient ourselves so we can maintain our compassion even when we are not in a compassionate state of mind. He calls it, “taking a WIRL (walk, imagine, read and listen).” I, for one, can’t wait to put this into practice in the workplace.

One of the most important concepts Kukk teaches us is that compassion begins and ends with us. Enhancing our current skills by learning new ones, we can improve the quality of life in each of our spheres of operation. But we must be patient and realize that answers don’t always come immediately.

Packed full of easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, The Compassionate Achiever teaches all of us how to Listen, Understand, Connect and Act (LUCA) in a way that benefits us and the people in our lives. So pick up this revolutionary new book today, take Kukk’s compassionate words to heart, and soon all of us will be able to say, “I am LUCA,” and the world will be better off for it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher L. Kukk, Ph.D.

Christopher L. Kukk, Ph.D., is a professor of political science and social science at Western Connecticut State University; founding director of the Center for Compassion, Creativity and Innovation; and faculty advisor for the University and City of Compassion initiatives.

He is also cofounder and CEO of InnovOwl LLC, a research and consulting start-up for solving micro and macro problems through innovative education.

He was an international security fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, a counterintelligence agent for the United States Army, and a research associate for Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

Dr. Kukk lives in Brookfield, Connecticut with his family. For more information, visit his home on the Web and follow him on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

THE COMPASSIONATE ACHIEVER: HOW HELPING OTHERS FUELS SUCCESS
By Christopher L. Kukk, Ph.D.
256 pgs. HarperOne. $26.99.

You may purchase this book at one of these fine online retailers: HarperCollins, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

The Compassionate Achiever is brought to you in association with TLC Book Tours.

Want to find out more about Dr. Kukk’s mission to make compassionate achievers? Watch his Tedx Talk.