GENTLE POWER IS ABOUT ACTION
Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead, and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu!
Power is fundamental in our lives―we express it in every conversation, relationship, and choice we make. All too often, we equate force and domination with power, while gentleness and compassion are considered “soft” or “weak.” The destructive nature of this skewed perspective has never been more obvious, yet there is reason to hope. Gentle Power is a guide to a very much emergent shift in the way how we define true strength―a paradigm that balances resolve with reason, grit with compassion, and personal success with service to the collective good.
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Available as an audio (read by the author), at bookstores across the U.S. and via Sounds True. In Finland and Sweden order yours at Adlibris.
VIDEOS
VIDEOS
Reflections on a 2400km run/bike journey across New Zealand
A live TV interview with Duncan Garner/TVNZ (2018)
ARTICLES
Gloria
Magazine
An In-depth
Personal Interview
(in Finnish)
PhD: Sisu as Guts Grace and Gentleness: A Way of Life, Growth and Being in Times of Adversity (2022)
BBC World
Sisu: The Finnish Art
of Inner Strength
BOOKS IN FINNISH
Positiivisen psykologian voima 2!
The Finnish Educational Textbook
on Positive Psychology
New and updated version of the best-selling educational resource book for Positive Psychology in Finland (in Finnish). New materials on select topics from 17 experts including a chapter on sisu entitled: "Sisu: Gentleness, self-awareness and wise action in the face of adversity (Sisu: Armollisuutta, itsetuntemusta ja viisasta vahvuutta vastoinkäymisten äärellä) that discusses sisu from a vantage point of long-term good action, intestinal fortitude, and systems intelligence.
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Positiivisen psykologian voima (2023) for sisu lab friends via this link for 36,70 eur (reg. 45,90 eur).
Sisu: Tarinoita itsensä ylittämisestä
The Finnish Book on Sisu
This book shares the stories of Finnish people from all walks of life as they overcome adversity, use creativity to transform barriers into frontiers, and take action against all odds.
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It outlines a message of hope in tough times and shows us that there is always more to us than meets the eye. One way to remember this inner fortitude within us is through witnessing and celebrating the inspirational stories of all the many sisuesque humans in our world.
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Order Sisu: Tarinoita itsensä ylittämisestä ja yhdessä tekemisestä with a sisu lab discount here.
ADDITIONAL SELECT WORKS
Sisun alkemia is out on April 9th, 2025!
In a world shaken by uncertainty, sisu serves as a positive counterforce—one that generates action, courage, and endurance under pressure. The realities of life can be demanding—we need sisu to be honest with what's around us and to also take action. Otherwise, the risk is living in a bubble or fantasy or becoming immobilized by fear and anxiety. Life is transformed for the better by small micro-actions of sisu each day.
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At its best, understanding sisu leads to a deeper understanding of ourselves and, in turn, a connection with our inner strength—one that fosters a more balanced and secure world. Sisun alkemia (The Alchemy of Sisu) shares research-based insights on sisu while simultaneously taking readers on a personal journey into its deepest essence. Drawing from real-life survival stories, Elisabet’s decade-long exploration of sisu, and practical applications, the book helps readers understand the power of sisu as a tool for everyday life.
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The book ventures into the realms of ultrarunning and martial arts as metaphors for endurance and mastery, and explores inner strength from the perspectives of the human nervous system, the mind, self-leadership, and relationships.
Pre-order your signed copy of Sisun alkemia (in Finnish) here!
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Leaders Should use 'Gentle Power' to Unite and Encourage Teams During Uncertain Times