Marc D. Kirshbaum is a master reconstructionist who believes next-level leadership isn’t about learning something new, but about awakening and reconnecting to the spaces that have made us human all along.
Stand Upright. Walk Boldly.
We are living in a time of rapid innovation and constant disruption, making information and resources more accessible than ever before. Thanks to our tools, we are more linked to one another than ever, and yet we have never felt so isolated and alone. We are drifting from the foundations that once shaped how we think, relate, and lead.
As we stand on the edge of the next great expansion to navigate what comes next, more complexity isn’t the answer. It asks something different of us as leaders.
Next-level leaders must return to the most enduring tools we’ve ever known: the fundamentally human “spaces” that enabled our evolutionary ascent in the first place.
In the Eleven Primal Spaces, Marc D. Kirshbaum explores the individual, communal, and transcendent spaces that have shaped us from the very beginning.
Each of these spaces offers a way to reconnect with how we lead, how we relate, and how we move forward.
Blending anthropology, leadership theory, storytelling, and personal reflection, this book invites leaders to reawaken these spaces; reigniting connection, clarity, and energy in both work and life. Whether you lead a company, a classroom, or a community, the Eleven Primal Spaces offers insights and practical steps to help you reconnect to what matters most.
The Eleven Primal Spaces
Part 1: Personal Spaces
THE FIRST PRIMAL SPACE
Awareness:
The Miracle of Yourself
THE SECOND PRIMAL SPACE
Belief:
The Sanctuary Within
THE THIRD PRIMAL SPACE
Resilience:
The Heroic Myth
Part 2: Shared Spaces
THE FOURTH PRIMAL SPACE
Law:
The Code of Honor
THE FOURTH PRIMAL SPACE
Community:
The Common
THE SIXTH PRIMAL SPACE
Trust:
The Invisible Bond
THE SEVENTH PRIMAL SPACE
Conflict:
Where Truth Emerges
Part 3: Transcendent Spaces
THE EIGHTH PRIMAL SPACE
Empathy:
The Heart of Leadership
THE NINTH PRIMAL SPACE
Creativity:
The Spark of Innovation
THE TENTH PRIMAL SPACE
Death:
The Space of Renewal
THE ELEVENTH PRIMAL SPACE
The Sublime:
Touching the Infinite
Praise for The Eleven Primal Spaces
“The Eleven Primal Spaces is a thoughtful invitation to slow down and remember what we often overlook: Meaningful change begins within. Marc Kirshbaum blends neuroscience, anthropology, and lived experience into an exploration of awareness that feels both timeless and deeply relevant.”
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
“The Eleven Primal Spaces is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for leading in our hyperconnected, fast-changing world. Ignore its wisdom at your own peril. Embrace it to unlock lasting success, trust, and impact.”
Global business advisor and coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
“In boxing, as in life, true greatness comes not just from strength or skill, but from resilience, belief, and the ability to rise after every setback. The Eleven Primal Spaces captures the essence of what it takes to lead, persevere, and inspire. Marc’s approach and efforts directly helped shape the League of Champions Foundation, empowering impoverished young people to be resilient and believe that anything is possible. This book is a powerful reminder that true champions are built from the inside out and that awakening the eleven primal spaces is essential to staying on top, even when you get knocked down.”
Former undisputed and three-time heavyweight champion of the world; founder of the Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation
“The Eleven Primal Spaces offers a compelling reminder that the future of leadership depends not on more technology but on a return to what makes us human. An important guide for anyone seeking to make a meaningful difference in a rapidly changing world.”
New York Times bestselling author of Happier
“Marc Kirshbaum’s genius in The Eleven Primal Spaces is not just identifying the markers of authentic leadership but also tying them back to the most elemental drivers of human behavior. I love his reasoning and coming away from a book thinking, ‘Of course that’s true, and now I understand why.”
Former CEO, Inc. and Fast Company, and founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media
“This book engages the mind and lifts up the spirit. Marc provides real-life illustrations of transcendent principles, driving us to rise beyond the present and embrace the infinite. He combines practical advice on management and interpersonal relations with a focus farther out than any immediate crisis—indeed, a focus on no less than humankind’s evolutionary future. Anthropology, psychology, business sense, and spirituality entwine in every vignette. The lessons of this volume will be treasured for decades to come.”
Former US congressman and former dean of Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Fowler School of Law at Chapman University
“Rooted in both evidence and compassion, this book is a powerful guide to rediscovering the foundational spaces that allow individuals and communities to thrive. Marc’s work honors the science of transformation while never losing sight of the human heart at its core. For anyone seeking to inspire real growth and lasting impact, these insights are both timely and timeless.”
Founder and CEO, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
“In today’s rapidly shifting landscape, this book cuts through the clutter with actionable wisdom and creative clarity. It’s a master class in leading with vision—essential reading for anyone looking to build not just a brand but a legacy.”
CEO, Catalyst Brands LLC (parent of Brooks Brothers, Aeropostale, Nautica, Lucky Brand, and JCPenney)
“This book is a thoughtful, actionable, and deeply inspiring blueprint for principled leadership in a complex world. It’s a must-read for anyone committed to making a positive impact in the boardroom or the community—and written by a person who walks the walk every day.”
Entrepreneur and former US congressman
“Marc’s approach invites readers to reach beyond the ordinary to connect with what truly elevates teams, leaders, and lives. As someone whose career is focused on building great teams on the basketball court, I was especially struck by Marc’s discussion of the sublime as one of the eleven primal spaces, capturing perfectly how teams can perform at levels beyond the talents of any individual.”
Executive director/general manager, UNC men’s basketball, and founder/former president, Tandem Sports + Entertainment
“In my twenty years of knowing Marc, he has always led with clarity and care. In The Eleven Primal Spaces, he offers both in abundance—inviting us to rethink how we engage, lead, and live with purpose. This book offers a pathway to making more intentional choices that amplify engagement in both work and life, and I have already seen the positive impact on my executive clients with whom I have shared Marc’s wisdom.”
Managing director, Sustainable Leadership Consultants, LLC
“The very title of this book opens your mind to intriguing possibilities. This is not a book you read once and put away. I find myself returning time and again to one or another primal space to help me address a challenge I may be facing that day or just to be inspired by one of Marc’s personal experiences. Lyrically written, the tenets of this book are timeless and universal. Having worked closely with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, I recognize in The Eleven Primal Spaces an enduring wisdom with a fresh relevance. It is the most impactful book I have read since The Power of Positive Thinking—a beacon for readers throughout their lifetime.”
President, ST Enterprises, Inc.; chair, board of councilors, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology; former senior vice president, alumni relations, University of Southern California
“In a world hungry for authentic leadership, this book is a powerful reminder that real change begins with the courage to reconnect to what matters most. Marc’s work is both a call to action and a practical guide grounded in wisdom, service, and a deep understanding of what it means to lead with heart. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of Marc’s commitment to purpose-driven collaboration, and I believe this book will inspire leaders to serve boldly and build organizations and communities that thrive.”
Chairman and CEO, Sabra Health Care REIT, and chair, IsraAID (US) board
“The Eleven Primal Spaces weaves an elaborate, intricate narrative that moves from humanity’s earliest evolutionary steps—when we first stood upright and learned to look beyond the horizon—to the social, legal, and moral structures that shape modern societies. Tapping into the author’s own life experiences as well as lessons from history with practical exercises and mindful inquiry, the book bridges methodology and philosophy, science and self-awareness. By the end, readers feel they have traveled through time and into themselves and emerged with the emotional, social, and ethical tools needed to live with clarity, authenticity, and truth.”
Founder, Shifa Precision, Inc.; key contributor to the Human Genome Project; and former professor, Harvard Medical School
Lead Boldly: Partnering with Marc
Marc partners with leaders when established businesses are at pivotal moments or nascent organizations seek to chart their path, build confidence, and execute with clarity.
Whether on stage, helping develop next-level leaders, or serving as a strategic advisor, engage with Marc to fuel collaboration, spark innovation, and achieve mission-driven results.
Explore how to start your own journey through the Eleven Primal Spaces.
Ready to awaken next-level leadership?
Begin Your Primal Spaces Journey
Access exclusive resources to reflect, explore, and engage to bring The Eleven Primal Spaces to life for yourself, your team, and your organization.
Get access to the table of contents, introduction, and first chapter.
The Primal Spaces Codex
An interactive companion to put the ideas of The Eleven Primal Spaces into action as both foundation and method to chart your path to enduring impact that sets next-level leaders apart.
The Primal Spaces Creed
Perfect for your desk or wall, this poetic inspiration of the eleven primal spaces reminds leaders to reconnect every day with what makes us human.
