The Compass Within - by Robert Glazer (Hardcover)

About the Book

"We all want to be our most authentic selves in every space that we are in-in our relationships, our work, and our communities. But often we feel a disconnect, a tension between who we are and what the people around us expect from us. How do we find authenticity and fulfillment in every area of our lives? This is the question at the heart of The Compass Within. In this enlightening workplace parable, Jamie Hynes is a high achieving, early-career manager trying to reconcile his career ambitions with the ethically murky situations his new boss keeps putting him in. Jamie and his new fiance are also busy making plans for their wedding, facing new decisions everyday about where they'll live and how they'll make a life together in a community where Jamie feels increasingly out of place. When a member of Jamie's Emerging Sales & Marketing Leaders forum shares how her life was transformed when she got clear on her values, Jamie takes notice-and soon finds himself meeting with Jack Reardon, the forward-thinking CEO of Compass Media. Jack mentors Jamie in a holistic process to discover his "core values" and align his life to them, prompting him to start making changes and ultimately find the job, partner, and community that will allow him to be his truest, most authentic self. The process that Jamie learns is a model for all of us to be more deeply connected to the values and principles we care about, gently guiding us in making the tough calls that are sometimes necessary in order to find happiness in every area of our lives. If you've been feeling stuck, The Compass Within is the comprehensive roadmap you need to greater clarity and courage in life, love, and work"--

Book Synopsis

The instant USA Today bestseller!

Discover your core values and find your place in life, love, and work.

We all want to be our most authentic selves in every space that we are in--in our relationships, our work, and our communities. But often we feel a disconnect, a tension between who we are and what the people around us expect from us.

How do we find authenticity and fulfillment in every area of our lives?

This is the question at the heart of The Compass Within. In this enlightening workplace parable, Jamie Hynes is a high achieving, early-career manager trying to reconcile his career ambitions with the ethically murky situations his new boss keeps putting him in. Jamie and his new fiancée are also busy making plans for their wedding, facing new decisions everyday about where they'll live and how they'll make a life together in a community where Jamie feels increasingly out of place.

When a member of Jamie's Emerging Sales & Marketing Leaders forum shares how her life was transformed when she got clear on her values, Jamie takes notice--and soon finds himself meeting with Jack Reardon, the forward-thinking CEO of Compass Media. Jack mentors Jamie in a holistic process to discover his "core values" and align his life to them, prompting him to start making changes and ultimately find the job, partner, and community that will allow him to be his truest, most authentic self.

The process that Jamie learns is a model for all of us to be more deeply connected to the values and principles we care about, gently guiding us in making the tough calls that are sometimes necessary in order to find happiness in every area of our lives. If you've been feeling stuck, The Compass Within is the comprehensive roadmap you need to greater clarity and courage in life, love, and work.

Review Quotes

"The Compass Within is a must-read for anyone seeking clarity, purpose, and deeper alignment in life and leadership. With honesty and insight, Robert guides readers through a powerful journey of values discovery that's both deeply personal and universally relevant. Whether you're at a crossroads or simply craving more meaning in your day-to-day, this book is a practical, thoughtful companion that delivers both heart and guidance. It will stay with you long after the final page." -- Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There

"A magnificent addition to the pantheon of business parables. Through a masterfully crafted story, Glazer illuminates the path to uncovering our core values--those hidden drivers shaping every decision. For anyone who's ever felt the disconnect between who they are and the life they're living, this isn't just a book--it's your guide to coming home to yourself." -- Whitney Johnson, CEO, Disruption Advisors, Global Top 10 Management Thinker, WSJ bestselling author, Smart Growth

"An incredibly valuable lesson wrapped in a captivating and enduring story. The Compass Within offers a powerfully clear azimuth for the life journey each of us makes. It's never simple but knowing our core values and having them guide us provides a reassuring clarity through the inevitable challenging times." -- Stan McChrystal: Retired four-star Army general, former commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, and author of the New York Times bestsellers, On Character & Team of Teams

"Arguably life's most important concept brilliantly shared within an absolutely beautifully written story! This book--destined to be a classic--should not only be a treasured part of your personal and business library; it should be studied until its wisdom is part of your very being. Then buy a copy for everyone you love who you would like to see live a happier and more fulfilled life, and for every team member whose potential you'd like to help develop to its fullest." -- Bob Burg, bestselling coauthor of The Go-Giver

"In a world where so many drift without direction, The Compass Within will help you find your guiding principles. Robert Glazer gives you the tools to discover your core values and use them to uplift others." -- Jeff Hoffman, Chairman of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, Former Leader at Priceline.com, Booking.com, uBid.com

"In the months after graduation, most MBAs can easily share their ideal job title and target salary. But ask them to name their core values, and many come up short. In The Compass Within, Robert Glazer delivers a powerful reminder that values alignment is not a luxury--it is essential. Through a compelling story, he shows that living out of sync with our values drains us emotionally and spiritually, while clarity creates the foundation for purpose, fulfillment, and meaningful success. This is a timely and important read for anyone facing major life decisions." -- Ari Weinzweig, Co-Founding Partner, Zingerman's Community of Businesses and author, "A Revolution of Dignity in the Twenty-First Century Workplace"

"Robert Glazer masterfully illuminates how aligning our actions with our deepest values is the essential ingredient to true fulfillment and lasting success. The Compass Within is both a practical guide and a thoughtful parable that encourages readers to courageously choose authenticity over conformity." -- Dorie Clark Executive Education Faculty at Columbia Business School and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Long Game

"Through a compelling story, The Compass Within reveals how discovering and living by your core values isn't just a path to success; it's the key to peace of mind, resilience, and meaningful leadership. This book will change how you make decisions, both big and small." -- Howard Behar, Former President of Starbucks Coffee

"You have three big decisions to make in your life, that will make you or break you. This book shares--through an engaging and entertaining parable--what these three are and how to navigate your way to making the right decisions. It's a simple yet profound process. Enjoy." -- Verne Harnish, Founder of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and author of numerous books on Scaling Up

"The Compass Within has the power to transform! Glazer delivers a narrative that is both relatable and powerful and provides a framework that will help you align your core values with their decisions. If you want to lead with authenticity and unlock potential in yourself and others, this book is your foundation." -- Liz Wiseman, bestselling author of Multipliers and Impact Players, and CEO of The Wiseman Group

"The Compass Within is a gripping parable that will challenge everything you thought you knew about success and fulfillment. A must-read." -- Harry Kraemer Jr., Former CEO of Baxter International and Professor of Leadership and Kellogg School of Business

"A must-read journey into self-discovery and values-driven living; this book is a game-changer for everyone from the student to the CEO." -- Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement and author of Modern Achievement

"Glazer's engaging parable illustrates how defining and aligning with core values leads to better choices and a more fulfilling life. The Compass Within is a must-read for anyone looking to make the big decisions in life with confidence and clarity." -- Annie Duke, New York Times bestselling author of Quit and Thinking in Bets

"If you have that nagging feeling that you have not yet fulfilled your potential, The Compass Within could be the book you've been looking for!" -- Brian Scudamore, founder & CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and author of WTF?! (Willing to Fail)

"In a world full of noise and uncertainty, The Compass Within is the ultimate guide to clarity and purpose. This life-changing book provides the tools to make decisions with confidence and live a life of meaning and impact." -- Jesse Cole, Founder and CEO of the Savannah Bananas and bestselling author of Fans First and Find Your Yellow Tux

"Robert Glazer's The Compass Within: A Little Book About The Values That Guide Us is a powerful exploration of aligning personal and professional life with core values, delivered through an engaging and relatable narrative. This book masterfully combines introspection and actionable guidance, much like Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or Simon Sinek's Start with Why. With its storytelling approach, it resonates deeply, offering readers a framework for uncovering their values and making choices that foster authentic fulfillment. Glazer's insight and empathy shine through, making this an essential read for anyone seeking clarity and alignment in a complex and distressing world." -- Jerry Colonna, author of Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong and Reboot

"Glazer has written a winner! The Compass Within is more than excellent storytelling--it's a timeless parable that illustrates the power of living and leading in alignment with your personal core values." -- Patrick Lencioni, New York Times bestselling author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage

"Robert Glazer's The Compass Within beautifully guides readers to do the introspective work needed to truly live authentically and stay true to their values. His breakthrough book demonstrates conclusively that living in accordance with your core values aligns who we are with the decisions we make in our work, relationships, and communities." -- Bill George, Harvard Business School Executive Fellow, author of True North, and former Chair & CEO, Medtronic

About the Author

Robert Glazer is the founder and Chairman of The Board of global partner marketing agency, Acceleration Partners. A serial entrepreneur, Bob has a passion for helping individuals and organizations build their capacity to elevate.

Under his leadership, Acceleration Partners received numerous industry and company culture awards, including Glassdoor's Employees' Choice Awards (2 years in a row), Ad Age's Best Place to Work, Entrepreneur's Top Company Culture (2 years in a row), Great Place to Work & Fortune's Best Small & Medium Workplaces (3 years in a row) and Boston Globe's Top Workplaces (2 years in a row). Bob was also named to Glassdoor's list of Top CEO of Small and Medium Companies in the US, ranking #2.

Bob's writing reaches millions of people around the globe each year who resonate with his topics, which range from performance marketing and entrepreneurship to company culture, capacity building, and leadership. Worldwide, he is also a sought-after keynote speaker by companies and organizations on subjects related to business growth, culture, building capacity and performance.

Bob is the #1 Wall Street Journal, USA Today and international bestselling author of six books including Elevate, How To Thrive In The Virtual Workplace, Friday Forward, and Moving to Outcomes. He is also the host of the Elevate Podcast, a top 1% podcast globally with over 1,000,0000 downloads.

Bob is a sought-after keynote speaker by companies and organizations around the world. He shares ideas and insights around these topics via Friday Forward, a weekly inspirational newsletter that reaches over 200,000 individuals and business leaders across 60+ countries.

Outside of work, Bob can likely be found skiing, cycling, reading, traveling, spending quality time with his family or overseeing some sort of home renovation project.