Episode 2 – Philosopher Tom Morris

Tom is one of the world’s top public philosophers and pioneering business thinkers. He’s the author of 20 groundbreaking books and is a legendary speaker whose electrifying talks reengage people around their deepest values and reignite their passion for work and life.

A native of Durham, North Carolina and a Distinguished Alumnus of Durham Academy, Tom was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, which has honored him, along with Michael Jordan, as a recipient of their “Distinguished Young Alumnus Award.” He holds two masters degrees as well as a joint Ph.D. in both Philosophy and Religious Studies from Yale University, as well as other, honorary doctorates in recognition of his public work of bringing practical philosophy back into the cultural mix. Tom served for fifteen years as a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, where he quickly became a campus legend, in many years having an eighth of the entire student body in his classes. He is now Chairman of the Morris Institute for Human Values in Wilmington, NC.

• Twitter:     https://twitter.com/TomVMorris
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-morris-0955474
• Website’s: http://www.tomvmorris.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tom.morris.562329

Summary & Ideas for Action

Tom asks us to take a break and think – and know yourself. He views philosophy as a mirror to understand one’s true values and beliefs. Being self-reflective is not to slow you down, but make you better. He also said that sometimes, “Talking is a firm of thinking – not just communicating.” Great people and great leaders create great relationships, and these same people know that you have to grow people to have great results. He went on to say the most common mistake is “assumptions,” and thinking that everyone is clear on their goals. He talked about the need to balance Nobility and Humility and that you must allow yourself to be vulnerable. Lastly, he believes the centerpiece of culture in an effective organization is where leaders develop people in every aspect of their lives.

Quotable Quote

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” -Socrates 

Books (many!) Mentioned on the Show

• Plato’s Famous Apology – Trial of Socrates
• Authentic Leadership by Bill George
• The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch
• True Success: A New Philosophy of Excellence by Tom Morris
• If Aristotle Ran General Motors by Tom Morris
• The Art of Achievement: Mastering The 7 Cs of Success in Business and Life by Tom Morris
• The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation by Tom Morris
• The Golden Palace: A Journey of Beginnings by Tom Morris
• Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story by Peter Guber
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings By J.R.R. Tolkein
• The Epic of Gilgamesh
• Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem
• *The Education of Cyrus by Xenophon (Peter Drucker’s #1 book on leadership)
• Don Quixote Paperback by Miguel De Cervantes
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
• The Call of the Wild by Jack London
• White Fang by Jack London
• The Sea-Wolf by Jack London
• Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities by Paul Stoltz
• Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Points to Ponder

1. Regarding the Quotable Quote above, you may know yourself, but do you know your effect on those around you?
2. Are you a good listener in that you know the difference when people are trying to communicate, and when they’re talking as a form of thinking/problem solving?
3. What did you learn from an assumption you made that turned out to be incorrect? What were the implications, and how did you rectify the situation?
4. How are you at balancing Nobility and Humility – and showing vulnerability?
5. Do you think developing people in every aspect of their lives is over-reaching for most organizations, or the duty of a leader?