As an author and researcher, Tom Rath has impacted countless people with his ideas on how work can improve human health and wellbeing. His ten books, including How Full Is Your Bucket?, Eat Move Sleep, Wellbeing and Strengths Finder 2.0, have sold more than 10 million copies and have made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists. His latest book, Life's Great Question: Discover How You Best Contribute to the World, seeks to help people bridge the gap between who they are and what the world needs. Tom shares his insights from his personal journey as an author and dealing with health challenges, and highlights the importance of focusing on your strengths. We also discuss the different aspects of wellbeing and how you can discover your best contribution to the world.

 

Key Takeaways:

[3:45] Tom co-wrote the book How Full is Your Bucket? with his grandfather. What was that initial journey like and how did Tom get on the path of writing?

[7:41] There is a lot to be gained and learned just by asking good questions and genuinely listening to others.

[11:18] Tom has dealt with health challenges since he was a teenager, and he shares more about that in his book Eat Move Sleep.

[14:04] Navigating cancer and other health issues is often accompanied by fear and self-pity. How has Tom dealt with that for almost 30 years?

[17:19] What is Tom's advice for people to be able to find good information and not get overwhelmed or freaked out by all the information available?

[20:11] Strengths Finder, as an assessment and the book itself, is something that has resonated with many people and leaders. Tom explains how it helps people develop self-awareness, confidence, and direction.

[24:20] What's the most effective way of doing things that need to be done that aren’t your (or anyone of your team’s) strength or just need doing?

[29:01] What inspired Tom to write the book Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Best Contribute to the World?

[34:15] Tom and Mike discuss the importance of human connection and recognizing people for their personal values and who they are as people rather than just a resume list of their achievements.

[39:55] Financial wellbeing is an important aspect of wellbeing, but beyond a certain point, it is important to focus on other aspects of wellbeing.

[44:31] Tom’s focus is primarily on doing good work and creating things that are valuable rather than marketing and selling, but he still manages to impact numerous people with his work. How does he maintain that balance?

 

Resources:

Purchase Bring Your Whole Self to Work and gain access to bonus material

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Tom Rath

How Full is Your Bucket, by Tom Rath and Don Clifton

Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World, by Tom Rath

Contribify.com

We're All In This Together Podcast Episode: “How to Stay Relevant in Today’s Noisy World with Bill Cates”

Turnitin

We're All in This Together, by Mike Robbins (Pre-Order)

Strengths Finder (Gallup)

Eat Move Sleep, by Tom Rath

Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath

David Brooks — “The Moral Bucket List” (Eulogy Virtues)

Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements, by Tom Rath

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Are You Fully Charged, by Tom Rath

 

Shareables:

 

“Tell people why they matter while you still can.” — @TomCRath

 

“Great leaders are really good at asking questions and listening.” — @TomCRath

 

“We tend to take our strengths for granted, and in turn, we worry more about and spend more time trying to develop areas where we might not have that much room for growth and potential.” — @TomCRath