Bend, Don’t Break
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Product Details
Publisher: GFB
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Formats: Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: PB: 978-1-967510-26-9; EB: 978-1-967510-27-6
Trim: 5.5 x 8.5
Page Count: 226
How to Adapt in the New World of Work
Matt A. West
The future of work isn’t waiting for you to catch up.
AI is reshaping jobs. Entire industries are shifting faster than most of us can catch our breath. The new competitive edge isn’t expertise—it’s adaptability.
But real adaptability isn’t just about being flexible. It’s about building a system that helps you evolve without losing what matters most. In Bend, Don’t Break, Matt A. West introduces the Adaptability System—a practical, research-backed framework for navigating change with purpose. With relatable stories and hands-on tools, this book will help you:
Spot and break free from the patterns of resistance that keep you stuck.
Overcome Frozen Expertise—when what you once mastered starts weighing you down instead of lifting you up.
Escape the Business of Busyness and focus on what actually moves you forward.
Embrace the Grow in Beta mindset—experiment, adapt, and upgrade continuously instead of bracing for perfection.
Adapt alongside AI while protecting your uniquely human edge.
Whether you’re leading through uncertainty or simply trying to stay relevant, Bend, Don’t Break will help you meet the future with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
About the Author
Matt A. West is a leadership coach, facilitator, trainer, speaker, and consultant who has spent over two decades helping people and organizations grow stronger in times of change. Drawing on a mix of learning and development, communications strategy, organizational behavior, and creative design, he's worked with global teams at Adobe, Unilever, LEGO, McDonald’s, and Walmart. Bend, Don’t Break is his first book.
Reviews
“Through relatable stories, research-backed insights, and hands-on challenges, this book shows you how to evolve continuously without losing yourself, break free from resistance patterns that keep you stuck, and thrive alongside AI by embracing your uniquely human edge. This is a must-read for today’s (and tomorrow’s) leaders.”
—Deborah Grayson Riegel, Harvard Business Review columnist, and bestselling author of Go to Help and Overcoming Overthinking
“In Bend, Don’t Break, Matt West offers a timely, deeply human guide for navigating the transition we’re all experiencing with AI and beyond. He reminds us that adaptability isn’t a skill—it’s a system—a way to stay grounded, grow through uncertainty, and lead ourselves and others with clarity and courage in a world of constant change.” —Charlie Hugh-Jones, leadership advisor, executive coach, and author of Be More: What to Do When You Can’t Do Any More!