Type R: Transformative Resilience for Thriving in a Turbulent World

by Ama Marston, Stephanie Marston

Forget Type As and Bs. The future lies with Type Rs—the individuals, leaders, businesses, families and communities that turn challenges into opportunity in times of upheaval, crisis and change.

In this thought provoking book Ama Marston, an internationally recognized strategist and thought leader on Transformative Resilience and purpose-driven leadership and business teams up with her mother, psychotherapist, stress and work-life expert, and corporate consultant Stephanie Marston. Together they explore the process of Transformative Resilience. And, they look at the mindset, skills and strategies of Type Rs who are finding ways to turn some of the most challenging of circumstances into opportunity—growing from the experience and springing forward rather than bouncing back—and ultimately making a contribution to the world.

Their research spans the personal and professional, the local and the global, combining each of their unique professional insights while reaching across psychology, neuroscience, the natural sciences, business and politics, among other disciplines. And they share inspiring stories that highlight the complexity of the times we live in—unprecedented world events, environmental crises and businesses facing increasing global competition as well the individual and collective triumphs of Type Rs coping with these as well as the stress of daily life, unstable careers, and the challenges and disruptions that will inevitably rattle our lives at some point.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Self Help, Business

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 9, 2018

Reviews

[Dawn Quarles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the message of this book but I found that learning the lessons and enjoying the gifts of being resilient didn't need a novel length book to be understood well. It got very redundant and academic after the first few chapters, and maybe that was the point. I enjoyed what I read but didn't finish because I started feeling like I was doing homework.

[Lecy Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taken from the idea of Type A/B people, this book refers to the Type R (transformative resilience) and shares ideas about turning failures into successes. Although the information could have been inspirational to some, I didn't find anything new or enlightening about what I read. In fact, it seemed to be a scrapbook of all the inspirational material shared over the last several decades, neatly edited into 256 pages to create this book. Most of the chapters are pretty redundant and the book could have been cut down to get rid of some of that repetition. *ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on understanding how to harness the power of challenges and look for deeper meanings and opportunities. The book offers some great stories and action items to take away.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it came at a time in my life
that it really gave me some good ideas and help I needed.
I have always been a resilient person but this wonderful book help you become more so.
I recommend this book 💯 %. I received a ARC.

[Leann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and helpful book with plenty of real-world examples. Ama and Stephanie are smart and engaging as they explain what resilience means in day to day life. I love the use of personal stories to explain proven psychological concepts. I always ask myself if a book is as well researched as it is easy to read, and it's a resounding 'Yes!' for this book.
I love the emphasis on personal choice and living a purposeful life. This is the book I wish I had in the past during difficult transitions and I hope it finds its way into the hands of the people who need it most. It brings hope to the most difficult times in our lives and shows a way forward.

[Dana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overcome adversity. Copy and paste that sentence so that it fills 250 pages. Does that sound fun to read?

[T M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Type R is a remarkable look at how people “spring forward” and transform in positive ways as they navigate challenging, and at times traumatic, events. The authors’ use of peer reviewed research findings coupled with real life examples and inspiring interviews gives this reader hope that we can all find a ways to deepen our own ability to thrive and transform as we traverse difficulty. The material presented here is illustrated with engaging narratives of people from communities and organizations all over the world who have applied Type R strategies to transform during, and after, adversity. One particularly inspiring aspect of this book is the assertion that transformative resilience often does not just stop with our own personal grown, but can lead to contributions to the collective – an idea that gives me hope given current events.

All in all, this is a well-researched and engaging examination of how people can learn, and indeed thrive, as they navigate adversity. Type R offers a deep look at how we can use challenges, both personal and global, to better ourselves and our communities. As a psychologist this book will be added to the list of readings I recommend to my colleagues, trainees, and clients. However, the merits of this book stretch far beyond the clinical and I look forward to recommending this book to my friends as well as encouraging Type R strategies in my community.

[Carrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not great. Apart from its repetitiveness, the authors never clearly define terms. This results in all of the categories running together and creating mush.

Here's an example: Early in the text, the authors present six characteristics of resilience - and proceed to share anecdotes and summarized research studies that exemplify each characteristic, but they never actually define them. Adaptability is the first up, and it's mostly defined as psychological flexibility, whose definition presented includes a variation of "adaptability" in it. Then, derivatives of adapt appear in subsequent descriptions of the remaining five characteristics. I feel like defining your terms that serves as the core model to your book is kinda Writing 101, no?

This book does serve one key purpose: If you're looking for case studies around aspects of resilience, this book is helpful. The authors pull in corporate and personal examples throughout the book - really, to the detriment of the book itself. Anyway, if you need examples to pull into a presentation or speech, then this may prove useful. Also, maybe just ask Google.

[D.R. Oestreicher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Type R by Ama Marston and her mother is a repackaging of the advice to repackage failures as successes. When one door closes, another opens. Advice and anecdotes are collected from the last fifty years and applied to individuals, families, and businesses.

If you’ve never read a self-help or popular management book, this one is a good survey of the genre. Much familiar and proven advice is repackaged into their authors’ Type R (Transformative Resilience) model. A friend of mine observed that such books are repetitive and most of the wisdom can be gotten from the blurb. This one is no exception.

For my detailed report: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2018/0...

Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20... for book recommendations.

[B. Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Type R: Transformative Resilience by Ama and Stephanie Marston serves as a toolkit of anecdotes reminding the reader of the inevitable of failures but the reassuring potential of successes. I actually liked the various real-world stories of survival. I know some people may feel the stories are reductant in the sense that they always present a challenge or problem that must be overcome, and the subject does eventually do so. But, it's the redundancy that enforces the cyclical nature of failing momentarily to succeed long-term. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who may be experiencing a particularly difficult time in their professional or personal lives. Reading the challenges faced by others may give you not only strength but insight in how you can overcome your own.

*I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Claudia Hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful for Coping with Traumatic Loss

I was devastated by the significant deterioration in functioning in a family member who had been diagnosed with a serious, long term medical condition. The authors give many examples of individuals and corporations that demonstrate dramatic growth as they cope with with adverse circumstances. They describe in detail the six qualities that promote “Transformative Resilience.” I was encouraged that I had strengths in some of the qualities, especially love of learning. I also benefitted from the emphasis on the importance of hope and a positive attitude. I highly recommend this book.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do yourself a favor, skip the book and read the last chapter. It's too repetitive otherwise and none of the examples are all that revelatory or worthwhile. Also, the author mentions mindfulness in its pop culture use and reassures readers that it is not rooted in religion. I laughed aloud at this. Maybe she should go and read "What's Wrong with Mindfulness (And What Isn't): Zen Perspectives," as it admonishes people who use mindfulness to become productive corporate zombies, which is exactly how she proposes using it in this book. Overall, I've read way better books on resilience. She says this one won't read like a self-help book, but it totally does.

[Marisa Eikenberry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without getting into nitty gritty details, if you are someone who has faced trauma/adversity that you are still dealing with I would avoid this book like the plague.

The data in it is good but some of the stories in this book almost felt like, "Well so and so lost their legs and now they're great so you can do it too!" and personally, I don't find that inspiring. I find it almost like telling me that I should get over my trauma or that I'm wrong for it still affecting me in the ways that it does.

Maybe it's really helpful for people, and if it is, more power to you. But I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

[Dr.L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring stories, including the authors' own harrowing experiences and triumphs. I loved the research and anecdotes from a number of different fields. I haven't seen other books like this that are talking about personal resilience, business resilience and global resilience together and talking about larger social good. I highly recommend Type R.

[Beth Lorow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really helpful read for me as I assist executives with their communication needs in difficult times. Resilience is an overlooked leadership trait that can make a significant difference in organizations.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is critical reading given the monumental environmental, technological, political and social shifts that we are experiencing in this day and age. The Marstons' reflections on resilience and adaptation in a chaotic world with how-to's along the way is a perfect guide for today's world.

[Karen Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tips and strategies to achieve a higher level of success in your business and life! Inspiration and insights on how to transform , to go from survival to thrival! Karen Briscoe, author and podcast host 5 Minute Success

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I did have a few takeaways and good discussion with my team, it was too simplistic and I wasn’t able to relate to the examples. I like the message and overall concept but it was just too drawn out.

[Mary Nee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought provoking book, of finding ways to turn some of the most challenging of circumstances into opportunity. An interesting read.

[Kathy Cowie · Rating 3 out of 5]

to be reviewed in the March-April 2018 issue of Global Business and Organizational Excellence

[Yoshikage Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book contains many good points and inspiring stories, but can be shortened to 100 pages or so.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, nothing new in terms of resilience concepts.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts are interesting, some were less interesting. Overall it’s an interesting concept as it relates to people and organizations. Resiliency makes a lot of difference in success.

[Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Nothing earth shattering here. Definitely dragged on much longer than it needed to.