• A clearer definition of your own leadership stance

• Tools for navigating anxious systems without overfunctioning

• A deeper understanding of sabotage and resistance

• A more imaginative, less reactive posture

• A grounded sense of integrity and presence

• A study guide to help you identify and understand the key points in the text.
• A workbook that will help you analyze and prepare for the specific leadership systems that you face.
• Lifetime access to the course recordings, materials and discussion board.

• Understand chronic and systemic anxiety and its impact on leadership.
• Help lead a family, congregation or organization that is stuck in its desire for expertise and empathy.
• Maintain integrity, steadiness and resilience in the face of sabotage.

What previous participants say about this course:

Jack brought the complexities of the book down to everyday life situations. I have already used what I learned to recognize a mistake I was almost making, and chose another, non-anxious, way forward instead. Thank you! – Tim M.

I have studied Bowen Family Systems Theory for many years but Dr. Friedman is seldom mentioned or covered. I really appreciate the focus on his work. It is helpful in daily life and in leadership. – Kathy M.

Jack’s guiding questions, thoughtful commentary, and distilled slides helped make this monumental work digestible. Having been through “Failure of Nerve” a number of times, there are always fresh insights and forgotten gems, and Jack’s ability to answer questions and put the concepts into real-life scenarios made the work that much richer. Highly recommended! – Dave M.

Course Outline (subject to change):

Week 1 — Choosing Adventure over Safety

The characteristics of a chronically anxious society make it difficult for leaders to maintain the adventurous spirit required for meaningful impact.

Chapter 1:

• Imaginative Gridlock and the Spirit of Adventure

Week 2 — Barriers to Imaginative Thinking

Understanding the obstacles to imaginative thinking helps the leader embrace the spirit of adventure.

Chapters 2 & 3:

• A Society in Regression

• The Fallacies of Expertise

Week 3 — The Key to Integrity

Leadership through self‑differentiation understands that presence is more important than method.

Chapters 4 & 5:

• The Fallacies of Empathy
• The Fallacies of Self

Week 4 — You’re Not Leading Unless You Experience Sabotage

Leading as a non‑anxious presence is the key to dealing with sabotage.

Chapters 6-8:

• Take Five
• Emotional Triangles

• Crisis and Sabotage

Epilogue: The Presence of the Past