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Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader

How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams

By Jan Rutherford and Jacquie Jordan
Foreword by Stanley A. McChrystal
Published by Matt Holt Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book
Discover the ultimate prescriptive handbook on what it takes to design and lead energized and effective teams in an increasingly complex and uncertain global landscape.

Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader was crafted from author Jan Rutherford’s Crucible® Expedition wilderness experiences. This insightful, practical guide explores each step of the Crucible journey and how its lessons can be applied to today’s leadership challenges.

The lessons are based around the three pillars of Self-Reliant Leadership®—leading yourself, leading others, and leading an organization—and include how to:
  • Develop courage, curiosity, and grit to confront challenges and lead your team effectively
  • Select the right people for your team—people who are selfless, adventurous, and heroic
  • Create the right direction, pace, and tone to sustain a culture of disciplined duty
  • Design and maintain a positive and energized work environment
  • Build mutual, genuine trust among team members and fellow leaders where true commitment versus mere compliance prevails


This compilation of lessons and stories from past expeditions offers business leaders more than just an exciting read—it’s a proven recipe to creating and sustaining high-performing teams.

About The Authors
Jan Rutherford

Jan Rutherford is a former Green Beret and founder of Self-Reliant Leadership® where he coaches executives, and leads Crucible® wilderness expeditions with executives and veterans. Jan has over 25 years of business experience and has held executive roles in business development, marketing, sales, training, product management, and as a CEO. For 15 years, he was a Senior Instructor with the University of Colorado Denver Business School, teaching leadership to MBA students in the U.S. and Ireland. He’s the co-host of The Leadership Podcast, and also serves on numerous boards, and invests time with select DOD units and veteran organizations.

Jacquie Jordan

Jacquie Jordan, a graduate of West Point and Teacher’s College, Columbia University, is passionate about improving work through leader and organizational development. Jacquie cultivated this passion while serving as a logistics officer in the US Army, including assignments as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy, a tour with the United States Army Special Operations Command, and culminating as a Legislative Liaison working to advance US Army personnel policy. Jacquie deployed to combat four times where she led small and large teams in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. As a consultant, Jacquie brings her expertise to teams to increase the capacity of leaders to lead, teams to build trust, and organizations to produce results.

Product Details
  • Publisher: Matt Holt Books (August 20, 2024)
  • Length: 288 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781637745595

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Raves and Reviews

"""Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader collects and distills the wisdom gained from these wilderness journeys, providing the solidly grounded, humble advice necessary for developing the ordinary daily courage it takes to do things right.""
—Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy, Patagonia, and Coauthor, The Future of the Responsible Company

""This book should be read by all leaders looking to accomplish the impossible!""
—Marene Allison, President, West Point Women, Class of 1980 WP and DGA

""This book acts as a compass, guiding the reader to understand that the real transformation begins where comfort zones end. It's a must-read for those ready to face their own crucibles and lead with conviction and clarity.""
—Gino Wickman, Author, Traction and Shine, and Creator, Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)

""Rutherford and Jordan are not only leaders but sages, and this book is a must-read modern classic. The book's chapters pace us through real-life parables that ooze wisdom about business and life . . . This is a life-changing tome.""
—Steve House, Retired Professional Climber, and Founder and CEO, Uphill Athlete

""The stories in this book capture the struggles of taking on the unknown and growing stronger in doing so, while bringing the lessons back to the office. You will laugh, be inspired and become even more self-reliant.""
—Alison Levine, Adventurer, and New York Times Bestselling Author, On the Edge

""Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader is not a precious gem; it's the diamond mine.It is that rare find that actually does more than challenge us to build our own narrative—it shows us the way.This book is a reference guide on how to become a transformational human being.""
—Tim Cole, Founder and CEO, The Compass Alliance"

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Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader

How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams

By Jan Rutherford and Jacquie Jordan
Foreword by Stanley A. McChrystal
Published by Matt Holt Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster