The Road to Character David Brooks : A wonderful book on developing yourself through hardship and difficult circumstances. David Brooks shows how the road to character goes down many paths. He shares a really unique perspective in that we have to pursue a purpose that works for us individually but also how powerful it is in our development to subordinate ourselves to the larger team at times.
Mindset Carol Dweck : Dr. Dweck’s research is focused against the difference between “fixed” and “growth” mindsets, and the language and techniques of both. She shows us the language associated with end-state orientation vs. process orientation. Process orientation and growth mindset being the more optimal.
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why Laurence Gonzales : Warrior mindset in survival situations. What does it take and what does it look like to accept where you are right now, no matter how uncomfortable? How do people survive –both mentally and physically – in such horrendous conditions?
Man’s Search For Meaning Victor Frankl : Of course, the gold standard of a survivor’s mindset.
On Combat Dave Grossman : One of my absolute favorite books on the psychology and physiology of stress, and preparation for crisis environments.
Endurance Alfred Lansing, and
Forever on the Mountain. The contrast between these two books together is remarkable. The paradoxes in both style of teamwork and outcomes is a PhD in crisis leadership and decision making.