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The Secrets of Resilient Leadership: When Failure Is Not an Option Six Essential Characteristics for Leading in Adversity
Resilient leadership helps individuals, organizations, and even nations rebound from disaster. The leader who instills resilience is the leader who encourages us during crisis, when times are most troubled and when we doubt our own abilities. Resilient leadership inspires us to go places we would never have gone and to attempt things we never would have dared on our own. This book describes the six key principles of resilient leadership: following the moral compass of integrity, using the power of communication, optimism, and the self-fulfilling prophecy, taking responsibility for one’s actions, building a resilient culture, and honing physical health as a competitive advantage. It then shows how they can be easily integrated into daily life, letting managers, friends, mentors, teachers, coaches, and even parents instill resilience. With this book, anyone, no matter what their role in life, can improve their ability to guide others through difficult times.
- GenresLeadership
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 21, 2023
After nearing the end of a 30+ year career in corporate America, albeit in research & development in a pharmaceutical company, I find most books on leadership to be self aggrandizing or after-the-fact claims to fame by corporate titans who've ruled by fiat or were successful for reasons outside of themselves. You can tell by their dearth of words, wide margins, and thick & extra blank pages (they make excellent kindling). But this one was excellent, it was a signed copy I apparently purchased in LaGuardia airport in 2010, fresh after the financial debacle of the the 2008 era. The book relied heavily on that time, and from 2001, where leadership was needed in the individuals who navigated these very different flavors of chaos. What I found interesting is the way in which individuals in history, some of them militarily (e.g. Lee and Chamberlain in the civil war at Gettysburg which I have read much about) and what made them helpful to their people. Lee's reputation was untarnished after he was soundly defeated and caused the death of 10,000s of his men, due to the integrity he had established for himself and how he conducted himself in defeat.
Going through a restructuring at my company now, as a leader of leaders I feel the weight and the duty to be the best I can be. This was the right book and it shows that leadership must be developed over time by first gaining respect and trust in those you might eventually lead. It's old school in that integrity matters, and your behaviors matter more than words. I highly recommend this to aspiring leaders, who need to learn what matters most and how to make their organizations resilient to inevitable change, and how to balance and unleash talent (there's some corporate speak for you!) not only when the business is thriving, but when it must reinvent itself. It is really about the people, and the culture they create, that makes the difference. And great leaders know how to foster it & stay out of the way.
Going through a restructuring at my company now, as a leader of leaders I feel the weight and the duty to be the best I can be. This was the right book and it shows that leadership must be developed over time by first gaining respect and trust in those you might eventually lead. It's old school in that integrity matters, and your behaviors matter more than words. I highly recommend this to aspiring leaders, who need to learn what matters most and how to make their organizations resilient to inevitable change, and how to balance and unleash talent (there's some corporate speak for you!) not only when the business is thriving, but when it must reinvent itself. It is really about the people, and the culture they create, that makes the difference. And great leaders know how to foster it & stay out of the way.
April 15, 2025
3.5 Rounded up to 4.
Dr. George Everly Jr. brings his impressive career and deep experience in leadership and crisis response to bear in The Secrets of Resilient Leadership. The result is a well-written, accessible guide that offers practical wisdom for anyone in a leadership role—whether you're leading a small team, a large organization, or simply trying to better lead yourself through adversity.
One of the strengths of this book is its tone. Despite Everly’s academic and clinical background, the book doesn’t read like a research paper. Instead, it’s conversational, easy to digest, and peppered with strong insights that readers from all backgrounds can appreciate. It’s clearly written for application, not just theory.
Everly is generous with quotes throughout, which adds richness and context to many of his points. I personally enjoy a quote-heavy book, especially when they’re used to reinforce key messages, but at times it did feel like certain quotes were repeated or leaned on a bit too heavily. A bit more variety or restraint in that department might have sharpened the message even further.
The historical examples used in the book are compelling. Everly draws from the likes of Churchill and FDR, providing concrete, relatable illustrations of leadership under pressure. However, the Civil War era dominates much of the historical narrative—with leaders like Lincoln, Lee, and Chamberlain featured repeatedly. While these are undoubtedly strong figures in the context of resilient leadership, a broader range of modern or diverse examples could have added new dimensions and perspectives.
What stands out most are the takeaways. The book doesn't just talk about resilience in theory—it breaks it down into traits, habits, and behaviors that readers can work on developing in themselves and in those they lead. Whether you're facing organizational challenges, managing a team through uncertainty, or just trying to show up more effectively day to day, there's something useful here.
Overall, The Secrets of Resilient Leadership is a solid, thoughtful read. It’s a helpful resource for leaders at any level and strikes a great balance between being intellectually grounded and practically useful. While not groundbreaking (15 years later), it’s filled with reliable, relevant advice that will stick with readers long after the final chapter.
Dr. George Everly Jr. brings his impressive career and deep experience in leadership and crisis response to bear in The Secrets of Resilient Leadership. The result is a well-written, accessible guide that offers practical wisdom for anyone in a leadership role—whether you're leading a small team, a large organization, or simply trying to better lead yourself through adversity.
One of the strengths of this book is its tone. Despite Everly’s academic and clinical background, the book doesn’t read like a research paper. Instead, it’s conversational, easy to digest, and peppered with strong insights that readers from all backgrounds can appreciate. It’s clearly written for application, not just theory.
Everly is generous with quotes throughout, which adds richness and context to many of his points. I personally enjoy a quote-heavy book, especially when they’re used to reinforce key messages, but at times it did feel like certain quotes were repeated or leaned on a bit too heavily. A bit more variety or restraint in that department might have sharpened the message even further.
The historical examples used in the book are compelling. Everly draws from the likes of Churchill and FDR, providing concrete, relatable illustrations of leadership under pressure. However, the Civil War era dominates much of the historical narrative—with leaders like Lincoln, Lee, and Chamberlain featured repeatedly. While these are undoubtedly strong figures in the context of resilient leadership, a broader range of modern or diverse examples could have added new dimensions and perspectives.
What stands out most are the takeaways. The book doesn't just talk about resilience in theory—it breaks it down into traits, habits, and behaviors that readers can work on developing in themselves and in those they lead. Whether you're facing organizational challenges, managing a team through uncertainty, or just trying to show up more effectively day to day, there's something useful here.
Overall, The Secrets of Resilient Leadership is a solid, thoughtful read. It’s a helpful resource for leaders at any level and strikes a great balance between being intellectually grounded and practically useful. While not groundbreaking (15 years later), it’s filled with reliable, relevant advice that will stick with readers long after the final chapter.
January 9, 2011
This book was surprisingly written very well and relevant for today's (up and coming) leaders. It is not an academic type of book, but written very simple and practical. It provides recent and past situations in our history where leadership failed. It also provides some examples and scenarios to assist a new leader in their journey.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews