Awakening Compassion at Work by Monica C. Worline and Jane E. Dutton Summary
Overview of Awakening Compassion at Work
Discover how compassion transforms workplaces in this groundbreaking guide endorsed by Adam Grant and Tom Rath. What if suffering at work isn't inevitable? Using two decades of research, Worline and Dutton reveal how small compassionate actions dramatically boost innovation, retention, and organizational success.
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Key takeaways
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Suffering at Work
Imagine spending over 100,000 hours of your life in an environment that regularly dismisses your pain. This is the reality for millions of workers whose suffering goes unacknowledged daily. Whether it's Patty finding her desk relocated without warning, disconnecting her from meaningful relationships built over years, or LaShonda being denied time off after her mother-in-law's death, workplace suffering is pervasive yet often invisible. The financial impact is staggering. Less than 30% of American employees feel engaged at work-worldwide, it's just 13%. This disengagement manifests in the "Thank God it's Friday" culture, substance abuse to numb workplace pain, and heart attacks spiking 20% on Monday mornings. Our work is literally killing us. When suffering threatens to diminish capabilities like creativity and collaboration, compassion restores and strengthens them. By acknowledging suffering rather than ignoring it, organizations unlock their full human potential and gain significant competitive advantage.
Compassion: The Four-Part Process That Transforms Organizations
The Business Case: When Compassion Drives Performance
Noticing and Interpreting: The First Steps to Compassionate Action
Feeling and Acting: Bringing Compassion to Life
Building Compassion-Competent Organizations
Leading with Compassion in a Changing World
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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