Author Description

In a world where burnout is rising and toxic cultures quietly erode organizations from the inside, many leaders are asking the same question: How did we get here—and how do we fix it? In STRIVE to HEAL, leadership expert Dr. Gye Johnson offers a powerful and timely answer: sustainable change starts not with systems, but with self. Through the journey of Buck—a mid-level leader navigating exhaustion, fear, and a crumbling workplace—readers confront a hard truth: even the well-intentioned can become complicit in dysfunction. Buck’s path to healing begins the moment he chooses courage over comfort, and integrity over silence. His story is a mirror for anyone who has felt the weight of compromise in their leadership role. More than a leadership fable, this book introduces two transformative frameworks: STRIVE (Six essential outward-facing practices): Strategic Vision, Trust & Integrity, Resilience, Innovation, Valor, and Empathy. HEAL our internal disciplines that help leaders manage ego, confront fear, and lead with greater authenticity and self-awareness. With research-backed insights, reflective prompts, and practical tools, STRIVE to HEAL challenges conventional leadership advice by showing that cultural transformation begins at the individual level. It calls leaders to do the deep work that fuels meaningful, sustainable impact. Perfect for managers, executives, team leads, and emerging leaders, this book is a must-read for anyone ready to stop performing leadership and start embodying it. If you're ready to face uncomfortable truths and lead with courageous clarity, STRIVE to HEAL is your roadmap.