In Over Our Heads

The Mental Demands of Modern Life

Robert Kegan

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"In Over Our Heads" by Robert Kegan delves deep into the complexities of adult development, examining the psychological challenges faced by individuals in today's rapidly changing world.

Through insightful analysis and compelling case studies, Kegan explores how our personal and professional lives are influenced by the various roles we adopt, such as partner, parent, and employee. He uncovers the hidden conflicts and contradictions that often arise as we navigate these roles, leading to moments where we feel overwhelmed and uncertain.

With meticulous detail, Kegan outlines five stages of adult development, from the socialized mind to the self-authoring mind and beyond. He explores how individuals progress (or sometimes stagnate) through these stages, shedding light on the factors that hinder or promote growth.

Using clear and accessible language, Kegan offers practical strategies for developing a more integrated adult self. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a reflective mindset, allowing us to better understand our own perspectives and those of others. He urges readers to embrace the discomfort of learning and to constantly challenge their assumptions.

"In Over Our Heads" is a thought-provoking book that offers invaluable insights for anyone seeking personal growth and understanding in an increasingly complex world. It serves as a guide for navigating the challenges of adulthood and encourages readers to embrace the journey of self-discovery and development.

Explore More Books

See All
A History of Western Technology
Taxes Have Consequences
The Box
The Healing Journey
The Oxford History of Britain
The River of Doubt
Road to Wigan Pier
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Fewer
Academically Adrift
Raising Girls
Sourdough Culture
The Immateriality of the Material
My Forty Years with Ford
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Visual Explanations
The Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug
More Than You Know
Prisoners of Geography
Netflixed
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
The Big Score
Trading Bases
Living With A SEAL
Trauma
Walden
Primed to Perform
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Flu
Getting to Maybe
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
The Poems of Dylan Thomas
The Farming Ladder
Harvesting the Biosphere
Red Notice
Confessions of a Philosopher
The 80/20 Principle
Leapfrog
How To Turn Down A Billion Dollars
The Plot Against the President
Check Your Financial Privilege
Knowledge and Decisions
Hagakure
City of the Century
An Apology for the Builder
Army Of None
Solution Selling
Andrew Carnegie
Essentialism
The Iliad
The Great Crash of 1929
Exit Interview
The Seventh Sense
First a Dream
The Fatal Conceit
The Way of Kings
True Enough
The Creative Curve
Rework
Alexander Hamilton
Portfolios of the Poor
The City In History
The House of Rothschild
Seeing Like a State
Paradigms Of A.I. Programming
Alpha Girls
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire
Well
Liberty Under Seige
I Seem To Be A Verb
The Hand
Race Matters
Empires of Light
Ask The Dust
The Eden Project
The Things They Carried
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Moby Dick
On Writing
The Great Challenge
Daring Greatly
The German Generals Talk
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Hansel and Gretel
Expert Political Judgement
Bossypants
The Sleepwalkers
Lean In
Fooled By Randomness
New Power
Whole Earth Discipline
Ham on Rye
Brave New Words
Hoover Dam
Out of Many, One
Travels with Charley
Cold Calling Techniques
Hamlet
The Black Jacobins
The Choice