Friction:
How Tension, Emotion, and Change Reveal Better Leaders
In Friction, leadership researchers and organizational psychologists Maggie Sass and Ross Blankenship make the case that friction isn’t random, it isn’t weakness, and it isn’t just “bad communication.” It’s a predictable force that shows up in three distinct places — inside you, between people, and in the systems and structures around you — and it’s quietly shaping everything from your own performance to your team’s culture.
Drawing on findings from their National Emotions Survey of U.S. working adults, Blankenship and Sass introduce a practical framework for understanding how emotional tension actually works at work, and what you can do to reduce the costly kind while using productive friction to sharpen thinking, deepen trust, and improve outcomes
“If you want to grow as a leader, this is a great place to start.” - Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager
“Friction is in your future. Your near future. This book will help you make the most of it, for your sake and for others. - Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habit
“A deeply useful guide to turning moments of tension into opportunities for discovery.” - Anne-Laure Le Cunff, author of Tiny Experiments
“This lively and readable book will change the way you think about the inevitable clashes and disappointments that are a part of life, as well as the emotions that go with them, which will help you both as a person and a leader.” - James E. Ryan, President Emeritus and Professor, University of Virginia
“Insightful, grounded, and deeply practical—Friction gives leaders a new playbook for turning emotional tension into a strategic advantage.” - Dr. Jean Greaves, coauthor of the bestseller Emotional Intelligence 2.0
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