Stoic Empathy: The Art of Balancing Reason and Connection For a Richer Life (feat. Shermin Kruse)
Imagine if the ability to change your life, lead with intention, and build connections with others was found at the crossroads of two timeless ideas: Stoicism and Empathy.
My guest, Shermin Kruse, is convinced that this can be achieved. She will showcase how to harmonize resilience with kindness, helping us find the clarity and strength needed to face the challenges of our current world.
Shermin Kruse is an award-winning idea curator, a globally recognized negotiation consultant, law professor, and author, whose transformative work in empathy, stoicism, and complex negotiation has influenced audiences from corporate boardrooms to university classrooms and international stages. As a partner at the prestigious law firm Barack Ferrazzano, she spent nearly two decades representing Fortune 500 clients. Shermin is also the author of the critically acclaimed novel Butterfly Stitching, the textbook Global Transactions and Regulation, produced and scripted over 80 TEDx talks and performances, and given three viral TEDx talks on advocacy, stoicism, and strategic empathy.
In this discussion, Shermin will demonstrate how the seemingly opposing forces of Stoicism and empathy, when combined, can transform your life. We'll explore strategies and perspectives to tackle challenges, foster meaningful connections, and make ethical choices in a world that is becoming more complex.
Interview timestamps
Chapter 1: Origin Story and Early Experiences
5:46│Shermin shares her story amidst the Iranian revolution and immigration to Canada.
6:06│How early experiences shape our outlook on life.
8:37│The impact of instability and turmoil on personal growth and grounding.
Chapter 2: The Practice of Authenticity
10:14│Why unregulated authenticity can be dangerous in certain environments.
13:02│The challenges of being authentic in different cultural contexts and personal environments.
17:26│How to balance authenticity with the need for adaptation in various situations.
17:32│What is strategic empathy and it can help you gain power in your interactions.
23:40│Shermin redefines authenticity and how to tap into it to navigate the complexities of societal norms.
Chapter 3: Stoicism and Empathy in Everyday Life
29:23│The importance of building emotional self-regulation as a foundational practice for personal growth.
32:01│How to balance emotional empathy and cognitive control for effective decision-making.
36:48│Applying stoic empathy to personal and professional challenges.
41:52│How to recognize the limits of control and find power in uncertainty.
45:25│The art of letting go of control and surrendering to the unknown in life's uncertainties.
47:03│ Coping with anxiety and utilizing emotions for productive planning and response.
50:28│ Why it’s important to focus on self-improvement and present actions rather than outcomes.
