Chapter 1: The oldest question.- Chapter 2: In the shadow of death.- Chapter 3: A Zen koan.-Chapter 4: Death as meaning-maker.- Chapter 5: Death anxiety.- Chapter 6: In search for answers.- Chapter 7: Psychologists to the rescue.- Chapter 8: Happiness and meaning.- Chapter 9: Meaning, health, and wellbeing.- Chapter 10: The art of meaning-making.- Chapter 11: Getting to the “how to”.

Written at a time of global pandemic, when we have been forced to confront age-old existential questions—Why are we here? Where are we going?—perhaps for the first time, Quo Vadis? is extraordinarily relevant to leaders, managers and anyone who wants to bring meaning and authenticity into their work and life. Manfred Kets de Vries argues that we need to address these fundamental and disturbing questions if we are to live fully and meaningfully. Too many people wake up on a Monday morning and do the same things they have done every Monday. They go to work and function on autopilot without questioning their purpose. But how can we make sure our lives are rich and fulfilling? How do we know we’re on the right track?

This is a book about death and the fear of death, about angst and absurdity; but it is also about endurance, honesty, well-being, responsibility, living with hard truths, creating meaning—and happiness.

Quo Vadis? makes us look full on at the things we prefer not to see. It is a short book that pulls no punches but is far from bleak. Instead, Kets de Vries shows that our life is enriched, and our ability to make meaning and find happiness is increased, when we acknowledge the inevitable price we have to pay for knowing our own mind and understanding our inevitable end.

-          Christoph Loch, Professor of Operations and Technology Management, Dean at Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

“The purpose of most management literature is to make you feel smart and confident by confirming and articulating thoughts you already have had. This book is very different. Manfred Kets de Vries is a brave person and writer. Reading Quo Vadis?, perhaps the most poignant of all his books, is taking a risk. The risk of being challenged and changed as a leader, manager, and human being, in a way you have not been prepared for.”

-          Ulf Lockowandt, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, EMBA Stockholm School of Economics, Head of Division for Special Operations Stockholm Health Care Services

“Quo Vadis? is Manfred Kets de Vries most profound book yet, challenging not just leaders but every one of us to find our own sweet spot combination of happiness and meaning in life. Every page confronts the reader with past and present choices and what he or she may be running away from. It also provides a guide to finding one’s personal goals, stop wasting time on things that don’t have meaning, and making the changes which may lead to “a life well lived.””

-          PhilippeHaspeslagh, Honorary Dean and Partner Vlerick Business School, President of the Family Business Network Belgium, Chairman of Ardo

“A fascinating journey of coming to terms with life’s final destination. A tour de force from Professor Manfred Kets de Vries, the master of the psychodynamic orientation to management. Drawing on impressive philosophical, literary and scholarly sources, the author offers a unique perspective on handling the inevitability of death with humor, lightness and style. A must read for those considering themselves reflective leaders.”

-          Stanislav Shekshnia, Senior Affiliate Professor, INSEAD, France/ Singapore, Senior Partner, Ward Howell International