2008 Harper Business
Logan, et. al.

While two decades have passed since the A few caveats: we do not believe in Stage Five.  As evidenced by the downfall and tragic death of the book’s Forward writer, Tony Hsieh of Zappos, Stage Five as a permanent state is not sustainable.  The high is addictive.  Leaders must focus on achieving a stable Stage Four culture of “We’re Great”, with periodic big wins that grasp into Stage Five euphoria.  But our advice is to celebrate the win, then have a plan to return to the typical business at hand.  

Stage One “rock bottom” is also a state of mind that is largely glossed over, and we see too many organizations with people internally or whom they serve are in this lowest state, in these times. These might be stakeholders in your internal workforce, supply chain, community, or customers. What to do as a leader in these situations? Dig more into addressing the despair of Stage One, by engaging qualified mental health professionals. This stage is given a drop of water in an age when the dam has broken on many in our society “on the verge of a meltdown”. Take it seriously. Interestingly, the pursuit of Stage Five “Life is Great” is likely what led to Tony Hsieh’s demise, and his tumbling into Stage One, given that his life virtually did melt down.