Mentor
Scholar
Leader
David D.
Van Fleet
Dr. David D. Van Fleet is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University. He has more than 50 years of experience in the practice, teaching, and research of management and organizations.
During his academic career, he taught at the University of Tennessee, the University of Akron, Texas A&M University, and Arizona State University. His teaching focused on human resource management, organizational behavior, general management, and leadership. Dr. Van Fleet has published over 100 journal articles and book chapters in the fields of management and organizational behavior.
About The Author
David D. Van Fleet
David D. Van Fleet is a distinguished management scholar and expert in organizational behavior with a deep focus on the dynamics of fear and courage in the workplace. He has published over 100 chapters and articles in leading scholarly outlets and is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the antecedents and consequences of workplace behavior.
With decades of research and teaching experience, Dr. Van Fleet explores critical topics that influence organizational performance, employee well-being, and leadership effectiveness.
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.”
— Mark Twain
MAIN BOOK THEMES
Reducing Fear in Organizations
Fear in organizations can impact employee well-being, decision making, and innovation. Discover why reducing fear is essential for a healthier workplace.
Building Courageous Organizations
Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Learn how to create a culture where courage thrives and fear fades.
The Yin-Yang of Fear and Courage
Fear and courage are two sides of the same coin. Explore how understanding this powerful relationship can transform your organization.
COURAGE IN ORGANIZATIONS
Courage in Organizations shows that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it. This book explains how courageous leadership drives innovation, psychological safety, and long-term success in today’s disruptive business environment. It provides practical strategies for leaders to build trust, encourage ethical action, and turn fear into forward momentum.
FEAR IN ORGANIZATIONS
Fear in Organizations examines how fear silently damages decision-making, innovation, and trust within companies. David D. Van Fleet explores fear as a systemic force and offers practical tools for leaders to recognize fear-based cultures and build psychological safety. This book helps organizations replace fear with clarity, courage, and constructive behavior.
Taking ownership of your career
Taking Ownership of Your Career helps individuals evaluate job risks and make informed career decisions. Drawing from research on workplace violence and dysfunctional behavior, this book guides readers on how to identify safer work environments and reduce potential physical or emotional harm while advancing their professional goals.
The manager’s guide to psychological safety
The Manager’s Guide to Psychological Safety presents a clear framework for creating workplaces where employees feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and report mistakes. Using the V-REEL® framework, it shows managers practical ways to build trust, treat people with dignity, and improve both culture and performance.
Ella’s songs
Ella’s Songs is a heartfelt collection of lyrics written by the late wife of David D. Van Fleet. These touching and vibrant songs capture love, emotion, and everyday moments with warmth and creativity. A personal and poetic tribute that offers readers a glimpse into the author’s family life and artistic side.
Dysfunctional organizations
Dysfunctional Organizations explores how negative behaviors create toxic workplaces and provides clear guidance on removing obstacles to psychological safety. Using the V-REEL® framework, this book helps leaders identify eroding factors and build healthier cultures where people are treated with dignity and respect.
Combating workplace violence
Combating Workplace Violence offers practical strategies for preventing and managing violence in the workplace. This book emphasizes proactive policies, leadership commitment, and the V-REEL® framework to create and maintain safe work environments.
Bullying and harassment at work
Bullying and Harassment at Work provides an innovative approach to understanding and preventing toxic behaviors in organizations. Using real cases and the V-REEL® framework, this book shows how to analyze workplace culture and implement effective solutions to eradicate bullying and harassment.
Read Books Sample
About The Book
FEAR IN ORGANIZATIONS
Fear has become a silent force inside most organizations today. It influences decisions, blocks open communication, and weakens overall performance, often without leaders even noticing. In this insightful book, David D. Van Fleet treats fear as more than just a personal feeling. He shows how it becomes a powerful organizational problem that spreads through teams and cultures.
About The Book
COURAGE IN ORGANIZATIONS
In a world full of uncertainty and rapid change, fear is everywhere, but courage is what separates thriving organizations from those that merely survive. David D. Van Fleet reveals that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of it. Drawing from extensive research and real-world experience.
This powerful book shows how individuals and leaders can build workplaces where people feel safe to speak up, challenge the status quo, take smart risks, learn from setbacks, and drive meaningful results.
Reviews By Readers
Fear in Organizations opened my eyes to how deeply fear affects our workplace. This book gave me practical tools to recognize fear and start building a much healthier culture. A game-changer for leaders.”
Lisa Chen
Robert Patel
Both Fear in Organizations and Courage in Organizations are outstanding. Dr. Van Fleet shows the clear connection between the two and provides a powerful framework to move organizations from fear to courage. Highly recommended.”