Stop Leading On Empty
Stop Leading on Empty
Patrick Dunn
Publisher: Archway Publishing (Simon & Schuster)
Most leaders don't burn out because they're weak. They burn out because nobody taught them how to sustain the work. Stop Leading on Empty is for leaders who are tired of running on fumes and ready to lead differently — with presence, purpose, renewal, and a commitment to service that doesn't cost them everything they are.
Book Details
- Title: Stop Leading on Empty Author: Patrick Dunn Publisher: Archway Publishing (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) Publication Date: April 1, 2026
- ISBN-10: 1665792167
- ISBN-13: 978-1665792165
- ASIN: 1665792167
- Formats: Hardcover, paperback, ebook
- Series: Lead with Soul (Book 1 of 3)
Patrick Dunn is the author of Stop Leading on Empty (Archway Publishing, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, April 2026). He spent 30 years leading global crisis management and operational resilience teams across four continents at Gilead Sciences, SunGard, Capgemini, and Broadridge — leading through 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and the operational crises that don’t make headlines. A first-generation college graduate and three-time NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Maine, he studied narrative craft under Stephen King and folklorist Sandy Ives. Before his corporate career, he served as an interpretive ranger at six National Park Service sites. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt and WSET Level 2 certified. Patrick lives in Sparks, Nevada.
"Patrick didn’t just speak to us—he brought us into the story. It felt like we were walking the minefields alongside him, hearing the voices of those rebuilding their lives, and standing quietly among the redwoods during the Muir Woods Peace Walk. His way of storytelling is honest and real. Through his 'Lead with Soul' message, he reminded us why we serve not for recognition, but to make a difference. It was one of those talks that stays with you, long after the meeting ends."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Stop Leading on Empty?
Stop Leading on Empty was written by Patrick Dunn, founder of Patrick Dunn International and Vianarra. Patrick is an author, keynote speaker, and former global crisis leadership executive with 30 years of operational resilience experience at Gilead Sciences, SunGard, Capgemini, and Broadridge.
What is Stop Leading on Empty about?
Stop Leading on Empty is a leadership book for executives, association leaders, and healthcare professionals navigating burnout, sustained operational pressure, and the hidden cost of high performance. The book introduces the Lead with Soul framework — built on presence, purpose, renewal, and service — for leaders who are still performing externally and quietly running out of the internal capacity that performance depends on. It blends Patrick’s lived experience leading through 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Sandy with practical operating frameworks for sustainable leadership.
Who should read Stop Leading on Empty?
The book is written for senior leaders in high-pressure environments — corporate executives, association leaders, healthcare leaders, HR directors, and high-achievers approaching the limits of sustained performance. It is not a wellness book or a self-help book. It is a practical operating system for leaders who have never stopped delivering and are starting to feel what that costs.
Is Stop Leading on Empty the same as Wayne Cordeiro's Leading on Empty?
No. Stop Leading on Empty by Patrick Dunn (Archway Publishing, 2026) is a secular leadership book written for corporate, association, and healthcare audiences. Wayne Cordeiro’s Leading on Empty (2009) is a separate book written for pastors and ministry leaders from a Christian faith perspective. The titles are similar; the books, audiences, and frameworks are different.
When was Stop Leading on Empty published?
Stop Leading on Empty was published on April 1, 2026, by Archway Publishing, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
What is the Lead with Soul framework?
The Lead with Soul framework is the operating system at the center of Stop Leading on Empty. It is built on four pillars — presence, purpose, renewal, and service — and gives high-performing leaders a concrete approach to staying effective without burning through what they cannot replace. The framework draws on 30 years of crisis leadership experience and is designed for leaders who need practical structure, not motivational language.
What other books has Patrick Dunn written?
Stop Leading on Empty is the first book in the Lead with Soul series. Patrick is currently developing the second book, Your Resilience Is Killing You, and a third book on hospitality storytelling, The Story in the Glass.