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Fortitude

The Myth of Resilience, and the Secrets of Inner Strength: A Sunday Times Bestseller

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Fortitude

By: Bruce Daisley
Narrated by: Bruce Daisley
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

We're endlessly being told that if we want to be successful in life we have to be tough and stubborn. If we struggle, it's because we're weak and uncertain. Bruce Daisley thinks this is simply untrue, and in his new book the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Joy of Work takes the notion of resilience apart, explains how it really works, and puts forward a new programme for building self-confidence and tenacity. He calls it Fortitude.

In this book, Daisley disproves the myth that only extraordinary people are successful, shows how to achieve a sense of control through simple mind exercises, and, above all, demonstrates how we can draw on those around us to empower ourselves and build our inner-strength. Offering empirically tested advice, Fortitude sets out a practical path to greater self-confidence and courage, not just for the elite few, but for us all.

© Bruce Daisley 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

 Career Success Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Political Science Politics & Government Business Mental Health Leadership Health

Critic reviews

I love it . . . it hooked me right in . . . A fantastic book. (Chris Evans)
This is a truly refreshing, captivating and important book that shifted my perception on a topic I thought I knew! A must read. (Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of 'The Diary of a CEO')
A fascinating and important pushback against the narrow, joy-eroding version of 'resilience' that would leave us to sink or swim alone, Fortitude is an indispensable guide to a more energising, human, and effective approach to working and thriving in a post-pandemic world. (Oliver Burkeman, author of 'Four Thousand Weeks')
Surprising and challenging. Fortitude encouraged me to re-think not only my work but how I live my life. (Sarah Ellis, co-author of 'The Squiggly Career')
A book that confirms what I've always believed, that we can't be resilient on our own. In fact resilience is about all of us being stronger than any of us. (Gary Lineker)
A much needed book that unfolds the surprising secrets of resilience. Something I never knew I needed to read but I'm so glad I did, its opened up a whole angle of thinking. (Nadiya Hussain)
A fascinating analysis of resilience - what it is, what is isn't and why, when we develop it together, it becomes something better and more important, fortitude. It seems that resilience is a team game. (Alastair Campbell)
Entertaining. Engaging. Educating. Three words that sum up this cracking read, which offers a timely - and much needed - challenge to the traditional definition on resilience. (Professor Damian Hughes, co-host of the 'High Performance' podcast)
Fortitude explores and validates what most of us who work with people feel in our gut when it comes to debunking doctrine about resilience and singular toughness. A fantastic contribution. (Dr Pippa Grange, author of 'Fearless', former Head of People & Team Development at The Football Association)
Deeply thoughtful, provocative and insightful Fortitude will push you to question assumptions, think again about your life narrative and probably care more about your friends and community. (Professor Lynda Gratton)
All stars
Most relevant
Somewhere between empathy and grit lies fortitude. This book expands on compelling thinking: the things we know about stress, and the people who endure and thrive in spite of it, are considered with both scientific rigour and compassion. I’m a cancer survivor, an immigrant, possessed of a high ACE score and estranged from my birth family, all things that make me high-risk for a number of mental health and physical issues. This research helps me think about the practical measures that I can use to help and protect myself when faced with such odds. As an aside, it’s worth noting that the reader is British, which I find good to listen to.

Better than grit Is fortitude

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Such an interesting collection of case studies that were easy to resonate with but surprising in equal measure. I also enjoyed the critique of modern psychology that appears to have just become received wisdom at this point but is probably widely missing the mark. It’s certainly inspired me to take some of the advice to heart - and also be more introspective about early trauma. Also well read by Bruce, who has a comforting and friendly voice. Thoroughly recommend.

Thought provoking

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Although some echoes of previous management models about employee engagement, things like the SCARF model which talk about the need for identify etc too, I found the case studies and scientific aspect of this really interesting. Bruce talks about being careful regarding data correlation v cause, but feel he falls into the causation trap a couple of times in the latter chapters. Overall a really good read on the topic of resilience.

Really thought provoking

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highly recommend this book. very well researched and enjoyable to listen to. exceptional antidotes for both personal and business life.

an incredibly enjoyable and fascinating read

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Debunks myths, explains old and new research and nicely read by the author - who I’ve seen and heard live at a conference. Impressive speaker, ferociously bright and I’m envious of his memory!

100% worth a listen or read the book

Brilliant new perspectives on resilience

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