Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times

This is a strategy “playbook” in the best sense. It is practice driven and full of case vignettes. A book of great relevance to smaller emerging growth companies. It is not an academic tome. That said, Rebecca Homkes knows the strategy literature. She has solid academic credentials and is adept at synthesizing complex ideas into diagnostic checklists and brings considerable fieldwork know how to this book. Most importantly, she is attentive to the importance of strategy execution and the need for both operational discipline and learning agility. Leadership tasks I call “painting with two hands”. This is a core executive skill in my experience. As a playbook, the book has a much needed pragmatic tone and feel to it with solid content. The strengths of the book are many and are supported with templates and checklists useful in structuring and facilitating strategy “reset” sessions. That said, the many strengths of this book are also its core weakness. She goes wide vs deep with few deep dives offering the reader what anthropologists call “thick descriptions” of clients needs. I wish she brought more of a reflective voice to the book drawing on her own learnings as a practitioner. Also, I think she under-attends to the complexity of the “survive” task when financial resources (balance sheet and cash) are thin making “playing offense” very tricky. Also, the many diagnostic checklists in the book would be better served if organized in a master appendix. In sum, strategy is dynamic and context specific. No plug and play formulas work. Nuanced thinking is needed and great skill in leading change. In sum, this book offers the thoughtful reader rich content which can be adapted to your situation. Well worth a read.

As an entrepreneur and mother, I found the framework set forth by Dr. Homkes in Survive, Reset, Thrive to be as applicable to building a business as it is to navigating the wild west of raising small humans. To be clear - there is no parenting advice in this book, but mindset is half the battle in both professional and personal life, and reframing my perspective on uncertainty has been a game-changer. Full of insightful examples and practical guidance, this book has given me tools to more confidently and competently identify, assess, and manage the uncertainty inherent in doing hard things; and not only that but also to harness the uncertainty for my strategic advantage! A must-read for anyone looking to inject their business with some fresh energy and a strategic edge.

I spent numerous years of my career working in strategy development for large, publicly-traded corporations, so when my current company undertook the SRT process with Dr. Homkes I expected a similarly facilitated approach. What I experienced, and what she expertly articulates in the book, is a strategy process that flows with the needs and cycles of your business, less driven by a planning calendar and to do list, and more focused towards what truly moves the value needle for your company. If you engage in SRT the way Dr. Homkes and her book teach, I think you'll find the process to flow naturally, practically, and efficiently. I also think you will derive value throughout the process, not just at the end, and you'll feel less like you are "checking the box" of a non-value adding process. Additionally, and importantly, your leadership teams should benefit greatly from the sharing of perspectives as you discuss and debate key needle movers and how best to maximize them as you execute on the strategic plans you align upon. Ultimately, the strategy process is important and a strong one has a better chance of leading to a robust strategy. Whether you are currently a senior leader or executive, or if you hope to become one in the future, I think you will find Survive, Reset, Thrive an important read and trusted reference manual you'll turn to often in your career.

Dr. Homkes does a great job laying out a practical system for modern strategy execution. More than that it is actually geared toward creating a thriving business and thriving culture. So often I read these and the material assumes we can have "strategic planning" as a linear process. This system highlights learning velocity and adaptability. The material is well researched, the concepts are well explained and broken down into logical pieces. Again I like most that the system is designed for learning velocity and executing in "loops not lines". Also the concept of actually stating and tracking one's beliefs has been super useful and I've recommended to many people I advise. Because of my job I read a lot on these topics, this was a refreshing take and one I keep coming back to. Well done.

I'll admit I thought this book was going to be too dense and too theoretic to be actionable. But then I couldn't put the book down once I got into it. This is certainly a book I wish I had in 2020 as my company was navigating the changes of the pandemic. I'm helping a friend start a company, and I gave her this book - I just told her to start at Reset and the book is just as relevant as many of the lauded startup books, with many more insights per page. This book makes you pause and think a lot, and your business will be better off for it. This is one of those books that you'll want to reference quarterly or every six months at least for the strategy exercises to keep yourself sharp. It is not just for when the next big shock hits your industry, which is likely sooner than you think. The case studies, exercises, and takeaways make this a great reference.

This book starts with the brilliant, simple insight that uncertainty is a given, and high growth companies are those who succeed in capitalizing on uncertainty. We’ve been conditioned to view uncertainty as bad for business; SRT strategy views uncertainty as opportunity for growth. Homkes lays out a playbook for sustainable growth with practical frameworks and power moves that can be applied in any business. No matter where you are in the Survive-Reset-Thrive cycle, this book provides insights and leadership guidance to keep you from falling into common traps and instead position your company for growth.

Rebecca Homkes has hit a home run with SRT! Her ability to give shape to a dynamic growth strategy is nothing short of brilliant! I lead a rapidly growing educational services organization with 1000+ employees, and as a team, we want to be thoughtful about our growth, making intentional and calculated decisions and adapting as the world and our capacity continues to shift. SRT is flexible enough to be responsive and resilient yet provides an architecture that gives enough structure so the team can still work a plan toward common goals. Our team read the book and utilized the framework in our recent Director's Retreat. It created momentum, alignment and buy-in as we developed the Must Win Battles (MWB's) together. We now we have a common vocabulary and tools to see the plan through. I highly recommend this for entrepreneurial leaders who are looking for breakthrough impact.

This must read strategy book offers a comprehensive toolkit for individuals facing unpredictable circumstances professionally. The author adeptly delves into the nature of uncertainty, providing readers with insights into managing the unknowns and making sound decisions amidst chaos. From practical frameworks to real-life case studies, the book equips readers with adaptable strategies applicable across various domains. The emphasis on loops, resilience and flexibility underscores the keen understanding of the dynamic nature of uncertainty. This book is as a strategy resource: guiding light for those seeking to thrive in turbulent times, offering both solace and practical wisdom for navigating the unpredictable (and thriving).

Me encantaría que existiera la versión en español.

Survive, Reset, Thrive isn’t just a timely read — it’s a necessary one. Rebecca Homkes delivers a practical and energizing playbook for navigating uncertainty, making bold yet thoughtful decisions, and leading with strategic clarity in volatile times. What makes this book stand out is its core framework: the SRT loop--a dynamic process of stabilizing (Survive), rethinking and realigning (Reset), and executing for long-term growth (Thrive). It’s a structure that feels deeply grounded in reality, not just theory. One concept that really struck me was belief-driven decision making--the idea that leaders must act based on informed beliefs about the future, even when data is incomplete or ambiguous. As someone currently leading through an extended period of organizational uncertainty, this reframing was powerful. It gave language to the tension many of us feel between waiting for certainty and the need to move forward. While the book is written with senior executives in mind, Rebecca is clear from the outset that functional leaders--those leading teams or business units--can absolutely use this playbook. That inclusiveness matters. Many of us are leading from the middle, trying to make sense of fast-moving change, and Survive, Reset, Thrive offers tools and insights we can apply immediately, even without being at the very top. This book doesn’t offer easy answers, but it offers something far more valuable: clarity, structure, and a sense of agency. Whether your organization is in survival mode or seeking your next wave of growth, this is a book you’ll want to keep close--and revisit often.

In a world of linear thinking Rebecca Homkes loops us in. Enter Survive, Reset, Thrive (SRT) - and it’s 250 pages of informative & transformative thinking. The book stands out for its pragmatic approach, appealing to both seasoned leaders and those new to #leadership concepts. Its strength lies in the synthesis of varied dynamics into a cohesive and well-articulated narrative. The book never forces its ideas but instead presents them in a manner that feels natural and intuitive. The strategic use of tables and charts throughout enhances its accessibility, particularly for visual learners, reinforcing key points and facilitating understanding. Structurally, the book is divided into three main parts, covering the SRT principles. The portrayal of SRT as a flexible, loop process that one can engage with at any point is particularly enlightening. The narrative is organised around those pivotal stages: (In my words) Issue Identification, Transformation, and Growth. Each section is imbued with actionable insights and strategies. The introduction of "power moves" to navigate the Survival stage and the emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in strategic thinking are important. The examination of how trends, beliefs, and assumptions intersect offers moments of profound reflection. An additional layer of depth is provided through practical case studies, such as the WD-40 Company's application in the Reset phase. The discussion around the distinction between precision and accuracy emerges as a critical takeaway, highlighting an often-overlooked aspect of strategic planning. As the book progresses to the Thrive stage, it outlines essential victories and warns against potential pitfalls with compelling language, such as the concept of "false air cover." In concluding, the book impresses upon the reader the importance of integrating end-to-end elements, suggesting its utility as a comprehensive ‘field manual’. Although there may be divergences in opinion regarding some of the finer points, the overall framework and strategic flow of the book are undeniably impactful. In essence, "Survive, Reset, Thrive" is a compelling and insightful read, offering valuable perspectives and methodologies for managers at all levels. It does require an investment of time and effort, but promises rich dividends in understanding.

A well written and powerful book. It's clear that the author has deep expertise both in practice and in theory and this work offers key insights for increasingly volatile times.

Superb book with great insights and techniques