Books for Resilience in Times of Crisis
ADAPT AND PLAN
by Gleb Tsipursky
COVID-19 has demonstrated clearly that businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and governments are terrible at dealing effectively with large-scale disasters that take the form of slow-moving train-wrecks. Using cutting-edge research in cognitive neuroscience and behavioral economics on dangerous judgment errors (cognitive biases), this book explains why we respond so poorly to such crises and shares research-based strategies for how organizations and individuals can effectively adapt to and plan for the pandemic.
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is a cognitive neuroscientist, behavioral economist and CEO of the consulting, coaching, and training firm Disaster Avoidance Experts.
AGING IN A TIME OF CRISIS
This book is for those over 65 wrestling with fear, despair, insecurity, and loneliness in these frightening times. A blend of psychology, self-help, and spirituality, it is meant for all who hunger for facts, respect, compassion, and meaningful resources to light their path ahead. The 74-year old author’s goal is to move readers from fear and paralysis to growth and engagement: “Acknowledging the inspiring resilience and wisdom of our hard-won maturity, I invite you on a personal journey of transformation and renewal into a new consciousness and a new world.”
CONNECTING WITH NATURE
Nature is the best medicine. An intimate awareness of the natural world, even within the city, can calm anxieties and help create healthy perspectives during a crisis. Learn how to tune in to the beauty and wonder around you with all your senses, even if your current sphere is a tree outside the window. Nature immersion during stressful times can bring comfort and joy, personal growth, expanded vision and transformation.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley is an award-winning nature author, naturalist and a certified forest therapy guide based in Washington DC.
GOING WITHIN
by P.T. Mistlberger
During a time of crisis, we are presented with something of a fork in the road; we either look within and examine ourselves, or engage in distractions and go back to sleep. This book is intended to be a companion for men and women dedicated to their inner journey. Written by the author of seven books and founder of several personal growth communities and esoteric schools, each chapter offers different paths for exploring your spiritual frontier: advanced meditation techniques, shadow work, conscious relating, dream work, solo retreats, and more. In traversing these challenging times, let this book be your guide.
P.T. Mistlberger has worked as a transpersonal therapist and meditation teacher since 1987. He founded several personal growth and esoteric communities, and is the author of seven books.
GROW STRONGER
Many of us have wondered how we would respond in the midst of a crisis. Some become stronger under pressure. But you are afraid that crisis may bring out your anxiety and your fears. No one knows when things will get better. That’s out of your hands. But you can get better. All it takes is an understanding of how human beings function at their best, the willpower to make small changes in perception and behavior, and a vision for a better future. In this book, you will learn to create the conditions that allow your best self to show up and make a difference - for you and for others.
Linda Ferguson has spent more than thirty years coaching people to see new perspectives, ask better questions, and show up more strongly in work and life. She teaches communication at Sheridan College and is the most innovative trainer in NLP (neurolinguistic programming) in Canada.
HANDLING ANXIETY
It’s a challenging time for people who experience anxiety, and even people who usually don’t experience it are finding their moods are getting the better of them. Anxiety hits hard and its symptoms are unmistakable, but sometimes in the rush and confusion of uncertainty we miss those symptoms until it’s too late. When things seem to be coming undone, it’s still possible to recognize the onset of anxiety and act to prevent the worst of it. The simple steps taught in this book can help you overcome the turmoil.
George Hofmann uses his experience successfully managing bipolar disorder to help others manage difficult moods through his organization Practicing Mental Illness.
THE LIFE-SAVING SKILL OF STORY
Storytelling covers every skill we need in a crisis. We need to share information about how to be safe, how to live together, what to do and not do. We need to talk about what is going on in ways that keep us from freaking out. We need to change our behavior as a human race to save each other and ourselves. We need to imagine a possible future different from the present and work on how to get there. This book will unleash your power to teach, learn, change, soothe, and create community through story.
Michelle Auerbach coaches storytelling for organizations. She has published two novels and was the winner of the 2011 Northern Colorado Fiction Prize.
NAVIGATING LOSS
This book explores the many forms of loss that can happen in times of crisis - ranging from loss of business, financial security, routine, structure to the deeper losses of meaning, purpose or identity. The author draws on her background in transpersonal psychology, integrating spiritual insights and mindfulness practices to take the reader on a journey in which to help them navigate the stages of uncertainty that follow loss. The book provides several practical activities, guided visualization and meditations to cultivate greater resilience, courage and strength and also explores the potential to find greater meaning and purpose through times of crisis.
Jules De Vitto works as a transpersonal coach and holistic therapist. She unites psychological and spiritual perspectives offering a balanced, integrative and embodied approach to transformation.
VIRTUAL TEAMS
In the face of the COVID-19 virus, organizations are shuttering offices and factories, requiring as much work as possible be done from peoples’ homes. The book draws on the insights of the author's earlier book, Lessons from Mars, providing a set of the powerful tools and exercises developed within the Mars Corporation to create high performance teams. These tools have been adapted for teams suddenly forced to work apart, in many cases for the first time. These simple secrets and tested techniques have been used by thousands of teams who know that creating a foundation of team identity and shared meaning makes them resilient, even in a time of crisis
Carlos Valdes-Dapena is a speaker, author and consultant whose ground-breaking research into team effectiveness is changing the way organizations think about and do collaboration.
VIRTUALLY SPEAKING
by Teresa Erickson and Tim Ward
To adapt to a world where you can't meet face to face - with air travel and conferences cancelled, teams working from home - leaders, experts, managers and professionals all need to master the skills of virtual communication. This book tells you how to create impact with your on-screen presence, use powerful language to motivate listening, and design compelling visuals. You will also learn techniques to prevent your audience from losing attention, to keep them engaged from start to finish, and to create a lasting impact.
Teresa Erickson and Tim Ward are the owners of Intermedia Communications Training, and the authors of The Master Communicator’s Handbook.
