In his latest offering, “Hour of the Heart: Connecting in the Here and Now,” legendary psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom invites readers into a deeply personal and surprisingly revolutionary chapter of his illustrious career. Faced with ageing, including memory loss and the isolating backdrop of a global pandemic, Yalom, at 93, has re-imagined the very structure of his therapeutic practice. The result is a profound meditation on the essence of human connection, encapsulated in intense, one-hour, one-time-only consultations. Yalom’s existential approach and emphasis on the therapeutic relationship demonstrate extraordinary adaptability in this book.
Each chapter presents a vignette of a single session, revealing how profound breakthroughs and deep connections can be forged in a mere sixty minutes. Yalom’s Hour of the Heart is a masterclass in emotional presence, which is precisely what leaders need in today’s high-complexity, high-velocity world.
For leaders, this serves as a blueprint for holding space in high-stakes moments.
Using self-disclosure thoughtfully to unlock team trust.
Balancing authority with vulnerability (the new credibility). Inviting more authenticity from others.
Cultivating loyalty, not just compliance.
Normalising imperfection, which accelerates innovation.
It’s a playbook for leading in complexity. These sessions aren’t tidy. They’re emotional, existential, and ambiguous—just like authentic leadership. Yalom teaches you how to: Stay present without solving, Sit with discomfort, and help others find their clarity, not just deliver yours.
The Hour of the Heart is a leadership manual disguised as a therapy book. It’s not about learning a new framework—it’s about enhancing your presence, listening, and humanity. And that’s the kind of leadership the world needs right now.
Want to lead better in this messy human world? Start by reading Yalom. Then, practise showing up as he does: real, raw, and radically present.
Reference Hour of the Heart: Connecting in the Here and Now by Irvin D. Yalom.