Bibliography

Emotional Regulation

Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life Susan David, 2016

• Summary: Introduces the concept of emotional agility — the skill of navigating emotions with curiosity and flexibility instead of suppression or avoidance. Provides tools for recognising, labelling, and responding to feelings constructively.

• About the Author: Susan David, PhD, is a Harvard Medical School psychologist, co-founder of the Institute of Coaching, and a globally recognised expert in emotions, resilience, and wellbeing.

The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness Steve Peters, 2012

• Summary: Explains a simple model of the mind, with the rational human, the emotional “chimp”, and the computer of habits. Teaches strategies for managing emotions and impulses effectively.

• About the Author: Dr Steve Peters is a UK psychiatrist and performance coach, best known for his work with Olympic athletes, business leaders, and NHS staff.

The Compassionate Mind Paul Gilbert, 2009

• Summary: Shows how cultivating compassion reduces shame, self-criticism, and stress. Provides practical exercises based on Compassion Focused Therapy, rooted in psychology and mindfulness.

• About the Author: Paul Gilbert is a UK clinical psychologist, professor at the University of Derby, and founder of Compassion Focused Therapy.

The Mindful Way Through Stress: The Proven 8-Week Path to Health, Happiness and Wellbeing Shamash Alidina, 2014

• Summary: A structured eight-week programme introducing mindfulness to manage stress, restore calm, and increase focus. Accessible for beginners and professionals.

• About the Author: Shamash Alidina is a UK-based mindfulness teacher and coach, known for applying mindfulness to work and education.

Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness Rick Hanson, 2018

• Summary: Combines neuroscience and mindfulness to show how to “install” positive states of calm, confidence, and contentment into the brain.

• About the Author: Rick Hanson is an American psychologist and senior fellow of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, known for making neuroscience accessible.

Self-Efficacy

Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential Carol Dweck, updated edition 2017 (original 2006)

• Summary: The foundational work on growth mindset, showing how believing abilities can be developed through effort leads to motivation, resilience, and achievement.

• About the Author: Carol Dweck is a Stanford University psychologist whose research on motivation and achievement has influenced education, sport, and organisations worldwide.

Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice Matthew Syed, 2010

• Summary: Debunks the idea of innate talent, showing that practice and mindset shape success. Draws on Syed’s own career as a table-tennis champion.

• About the Author: Matthew Syed is a UK journalist, broadcaster, and former athlete. He writes widely on performance, innovation, and growth mindset.

Black Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth About Success Matthew Syed, 2015

• Summary: Argues that progress comes from learning from mistakes, using aviation’s “black box” as a metaphor for feedback and improvement.

• About the Author: Matthew Syed (see above). His books are widely used in UK leadership and organisational development.

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool, 2016

• Summary: Explains deliberate practice as the key to mastery in any field, challenging the myth of innate genius.

• About the Authors: Anders Ericsson was a Swedish psychologist and leading expert on expertise. Robert Pool is a science writer with a background in physics and mathematics.

The Strengths Book: Discover How to Be Fulfilled in Your Work and Life Sally Bibb, latest edition 2024

• Summary: A practical guide to identifying and applying personal strengths in work and life, with exercises and case studies.

• About the Author: Sally Bibb is a UK author and consultant, known for her work on strengths-based recruitment and organisational culture.

Support Seeking

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience Brené Brown, 2021

• Summary: Explores 87 emotions and experiences that shape human connection. Offers language and frameworks to build clarity, empathy, and deeper relationships.

• About the Author: Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, respected for her work on courage, vulnerability, and connection.

Compassionate Leadership: Sustaining Wisdom, Humanity and Presence in Health and Social CareMichael West, 2021

• Summary: Explores how compassion in leadership creates supportive, resilient workplaces. Though written with health and care systems in mind, its lessons apply across sectors.

• About the Author: Michael West is a senior fellow at The King’s Fund and emeritus professor at Lancaster University, specialising in organisational culture and leadership.

Managing Conflict: A Practical Guide to Resolution in the Workplace David Liddle, 2nd edition 2023 (original 2017)

• Summary: Provides tools for resolving workplace disputes through dialogue, mediation, and cultural change, rather than adversarial processes.

• About the Author: David Liddle is a UK mediator and founder of The TCM Group, specialising in conflict resolution and culture transformation.

Adaptability

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela Duckworth, 2016

• Summary: Introduces grit — sustained passion and perseverance — as a predictor of success. Emphasises effort and resilience over talent.

• About the Author: Angela Duckworth is a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, known globally for her research on grit and self-control.

Fortitude: Unlocking the Secrets of Inner Strength Bruce Daisley, 2022

• Summary: Reframes resilience as something built collectively through belonging, purpose, and support, not just individual toughness.

• About the Author: Bruce Daisley is a UK writer, podcaster, and former VP at Twitter, focusing on workplace culture and resilience.

The Joy of Work: 30 Ways to Fix Your Work Culture and Fall in Love with Your Job Again Bruce Daisley, 2019

• Summary: Offers 30 practical changes to improve energy, culture, and engagement at work.

• About the Author: Bruce Daisley (see above).

Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking Matthew Syed, 2019

• Summary: Shows how cognitive diversity drives adaptability and innovation. Uses real-world case studies to illustrate the power of diverse perspectives.

• About the Author: Matthew Syed (see above).

Building Resilience for Success: A Resource for Managers and Organisations Jill Flint-Taylor, Michael Pearn and Cary L. Cooper, 2013

• Summary: Evidence-based tools for managers and organisations to build resilience at all levels.

• About the Authors: Jill Flint-Taylor and Michael Pearn are UK organisational psychologists. Cary Cooper is a professor at Manchester Business School and one of the UK’s leading experts on workplace wellbeing.

Purpose and Meaning

The Long Win: The Search for a Better Way to Succeed Cath Bishop, 2nd edition 2024 (original 2020)

• Summary: Challenges narrow definitions of success and reframes achievement as learning, collaboration, and long-term impact.

• About the Author: Cath Bishop is a former Olympic rower and diplomat turned leadership coach, based in the UK.

Happiness by Design: Finding Pleasure and Purpose in Everyday Life Paul Dolan, 2014

• Summary: Explains how happiness comes from balancing pleasure and purpose, and how attention shapes wellbeing.

• About the Author: Paul Dolan is a behavioural scientist and professor at the London School of Economics, specialising in wellbeing and public policy.

Positive Psychology at Work: How Positive Leadership and Appreciative Inquiry Create Inspiring Organisations Sarah Lewis, 2011

• Summary: Applies positive psychology to organisational life, focusing on strengths, appreciative inquiry, and building energising cultures.

• About the Author: Sarah Lewis is a UK organisational psychologist and consultant who specialises in applying positive psychology in the workplace.

Beyond Measure: The Big Impact of Small Changes Margaret Heffernan, 2015

• Summary: Demonstrates how small, consistent actions in organisations create trust, collaboration, and meaning.

• About the Author: Margaret Heffernan is a UK-based entrepreneur, CEO, and author on leadership, complexity, and culture.