Unbreakable by Bradley L. Kirkman & Adam Stoverink Summary

Unbreakable provides a research-backed framework for creating teams that thrive in turbulent environments. Authors Bradley L. Kirkman and Adam C. Stoverink emphasize four critical resources: team confidence, teamwork roadmaps, improvisation skills, and psychological safety, illustrated through real-world examples like emergency responders and corporate teams navigating crises.

This book is essential for leaders, managers, and professionals guiding teams in dynamic sectors (e.g., tech, healthcare, or remote work). It’s particularly valuable for those addressing challenges like economic shifts, technological disruptions, or hybrid work models.

Bradley L. Kirkman (NC State leadership professor) and Adam C. Stoverink (University of Arkansas management scholar) co-authored the book. Their research on team resilience gained urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspiring practical strategies for collective adversity response.

Yes—the book blends academic rigor with actionable advice, offering step-by-step guidance for fostering resilience in in-person, hybrid, or remote teams. Its focus on psychological safety and improvisation makes it a standout resource for modern leadership challenges.

1. Team confidence: Shared belief in collective abilities.
2. Teamwork roadmaps: Clear processes for collaboration.
3. Capacity to improvise: Adapting to unforeseen challenges.
4. Psychological safety: Trust to voice ideas without fear.

The book highlights strategies for remote teams, such as establishing clear communication norms and fostering trust through transparency. It underscores the role of psychological safety in virtual settings, where misunderstandings are more likely.

Case studies include frontline responders during crises, corporate teams navigating economic turbulence, and R&D groups tackling complex innovation. These stories demonstrate how resilience principles apply across industries.

Psychological safety involves creating environments where members feel secure to take risks, admit mistakes, and propose ideas without retribution. Kirkman and Stoverink tie this directly to improved problem-solving and innovation.

The book provides checklists for building team confidence, templates for designing teamwork roadmaps, and exercises to enhance improvisation. It also includes guidelines for fostering psychological safety through inclusive leadership practices.

Unlike generic leadership guides, Unbreakable focuses specifically on collective resilience rather than individual grit. It complements works like The Fearless Organization (on psychological safety) but adds a unique team-centric lens.

With global disruptions (economic volatility, AI adoption, and climate challenges) accelerating, the book’s emphasis on adaptable, psychologically safe teams remains critical. Its lessons are validated by post-pandemic workplace trends.

Yes—the authors address hybrid environments by advocating for flexible roadmaps, regular confidence-building check-ins, and practices that maintain psychological safety across both physical and digital workspaces.