In a world where workplace anxiety is at an all-time high and employee disengagement has reached crisis levels, one veteran management scholar is asking a question that many leaders are afraid to confront: Is fear silently destroying your organization?
Today, David Van Fleet, a professor emeritus at Arizona State University with over fifty years of experience in organizational behavior, answers that question with a resounding “yes”, and offers a powerful solution in his timely new book, Courage in Organizations.
“This book was born from a simple observation,” says Van Fleet. “I have spent my entire career inside organizations, and what I have seen time and again is that fear is the invisible hand holding people back. It stops innovation. It crushes trust. It makes people miserable. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Courage is not just a virtue; it is a competitive advantage.”
The Hidden Crisis Nobody Is Talking About
Van Fleet’s research reveals a startling truth: the vast majority of organizations today are trapped in what he calls a “Vulture Culture.” It is a toxic workplace environment where gossip, blame, and self-protection thrive. Employees stop caring. They stop trying. They survive.
But here is the twist: most leaders are completely unaware that this is happening in their own organizations. They believe everything is fine. Meanwhile, their best employees are quietly updating their resumes and planning their exit.
The book exposes these eroding factors with unflinching honesty. It provides a practical framework, the V-REEL® Framework, that empowers leaders to diagnose and dismantle the forces of fear and replace them with a culture of courage.
A Simple Framework for Real Change
At the heart of Courage in Organizations lies the V-REEL® Framework, which breaks down into five essential components. The first is Value, because courage creates measurable results such as greater innovation, higher engagement, and better performance. The second is Rareness, as true courage is rare, making it an even more valuable asset for organizations that dare to embrace it. The third is Eroding Factors, which include fear, poor leadership, blame culture, and resistance to change; these are the silent killers that must be rooted out. The fourth is Enabling Factors, such as psychological safety, transparent communication, and supportive leadership, which are the building blocks of courage. Finally, there is Longevity, because courage is not a one-time fix; it must be nurtured over time for lasting transformation.
Real Stories That Inspire and Empower
Unlike dry academic textbooks, Courage in Organizations is filled with gripping, real-life stories that bring the concepts to life. Readers will be moved by the story of Private Sven Eriksson, a young soldier in Vietnam who faced an impossible moral choice. They will be inspired by Saima, a Pakistani woman who defied all odds to build a successful fashion empire after a painful divorce. They will learn from Progressive Insurance, a company that actually celebrates disagreement and diversity of thought.
“These stories are not just illustrations,” Van Fleet explains. “They are powerful reminders that courage is not some abstract idea; it is a choice that real people make every day, often in the face of overwhelming fear.”
Why This Book Matters Right Now
In an era of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and shifting workplace dynamics, fear is spreading like wildfire. Organizations that fail to address this crisis will be left behind. But those who embrace courage will not only survive but also thrive.
Courage in Organizations is a must-read for CEOs, managers, HR professionals, and employees alike. It is a practical, accessible, and deeply human guide to building workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work.
GRAB YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK, NOW AVAILABLE ON ITS OFFICIAL WEBSITE AND ALSO ON AMAZON.
About the Author
David Van Fleet is a Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, where he spent decades shaping the minds of future leaders. With over fifty years of experience in the practice, teaching, and research of management and organizational behavior, he is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in his field.
Throughout his distinguished career, Van Fleet has taught at the University of Tennessee, the University of Akron, and Texas A&M University, covering subjects such as human relations management, organizational behavior, leadership, and management. He has published over 100 journal articles and book chapters, with his work appearing in prestigious outlets, including the Journal of Managerial Issues, the Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, and the Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship.
Van Fleet is also the author of numerous influential books, including Bullying and Harassment at Work, Dysfunctional Organizations, and The Violence Volcano. His work has been instrumental in helping organizations understand and address the darker sides of workplace behavior.
Beyond his academic achievements, Van Fleet is a passionate advocate for treating all employees with dignity and respect. His writing is characterized by its readability, practical insights, and deep human empathy. He believes that organizations are not just machines for profit; they are communities of people who deserve to feel safe, valued, and inspired.
Courage in Organizations is the culmination of his life’s work, a heartfelt and practical guide to building a better, braver world of work.