Books that shift mindsets and build better leaders.

Laura’s books give you the tools to lead with clarity, coach with purpose, and build cultures that last.


From fixing fractured workplace dynamics to scaling franchise success and closing the gap between potential and promotion, each title delivers actionable strategies rooted in real-world experience.

The Great Resignation

Quiet quitting. Burnout. High turnover. It’s not just a talent crisis. It’s a leadership crisis.

In The Great Resignation, Laura Darrell delivers a sharp, practical roadmap for building a culture where people want to stay—and grow. Drawing on over 25 years of experience as a frontline leader, executive, and leadership strategist, she demonstrates why coaching and appreciation are no longer soft skills; they're leadership survival strategies.

This book is for leaders who are done managing symptoms and ready to change the system.

Key Takeaways
How to build a coaching culture that retains talent
Strategies to engage and motivate a multi-generational team
Real-world leadership examples that drive loyalty, not burnout

  • “The Great Resignation” offers excellent insight into today’s workplace retention issues, breaking them down into manageable buckets, which is very helpful”

    - Allison McLaren – National Training Manager, Boston Pizza International

  • "Laura Darrell shows us how to gain an advantage in this labor market. Valuable tools and lessons in an easy-to-read format! This book is now a valuable must-read for all of our management team.”

    Linda McKenna – 42-year Multi-Unit Franchisee – Boston Pizza Restaurants

  • "Team Satisfaction is hyper-important to today’s workers; “The Great Resignation” highlights simple, low to no cost ways to keep your team happy, motivated, and productive. A winning combination in any organization"

    Scott Zulyniak – Regional Manager – Boston Pizza Restaurants

  • ‘The Great Resignation" is crucial for leaders to read as it helps us navigate the complexities of today’s workforce, offering insights into the factors driving employee disengagement and departure and provides valuable strategies on adapting leadership approaches in this evolving workforce”

    Erika Zilkova – District Manager, Starbucks Coffee Company.

  • "If you are a leader in hospitality or retail, this book is a must-read! Growing up in front of screens has changed the motivations of today's youth - in life and at work. If you are not adapting to provide appreciative leadership, you will never inspire your teams to deliver on your vision. “The Great Resignation” unwraps how and why we must evolve our leadership styles and embrace this new reality"

    Darren Flintoff – British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame Inductee and Multi-Unit Franchisee

  • 'The Great Resignation” is rooted in first-hand experience and research data over Laura's 25+ years leading teams. After COVID, what employees seek from their leaders has changed dramatically. This book is a must-read for any leader wanting to stay ahead of the movement and help build a culture of accountability and appreciation that will help retain the greatest teams and draw the right talent to you."

    Lou Day – Senior Vice President of Operations – MrMikes Restaurants – Franchised Locations

  • "Laura unpacks why the great resignation happened. She holds up the mirror for leaders to honestly assess their role in why employees stay or leave. With practical advice on welcoming, developing, and growing the talent we have worked so hard to attract, Laura’s brilliant advice will serve you well"

    Serge Boudreau & Shelley Billinghurst, co-hosts of The Recruitment Flex Podcast

  • "The Great Resignation” is an invaluable roadmap that guides organizations and their leaders toward effectively attracting and retaining invaluable talent. This book is not just a great read; it's packed with interesting insights about Organizational Leadership and the trends that have the potential to reshape our world in the coming years. A must-read for anyone seeking to stay ahead in this ever-evolving landscape."

    Sebastian Aguirre, Film Editor, Marketing, Sales at NiceJob, Netflix

  •  "In the wake of such a notable shift in professional priorities and work/life balance, Laura Darrell offers leaders a fresh perspective on the wants and needs of today’s workforce.  Prioritizing Culture and Development and filled with comprehensive good human strategies, The Great Resignation is sure to leave its readers feeling empowered and motivated to do better by their people."

    Sherri Reinhart – Vice President of People & Culture, Stonewater Restaurant Group

  • "Simple concepts are often the most challenging to put into practice. Laura Darrell’s pragmatic approach to appreciative leadership offers an incremental and lucid roadmap for new and experienced people leaders who want the upper hand in developing successful teams that commit for the long run."

    Joanne Forrester, President and Chief Operating Officer, Moxies Restaurants, North America

The Principles of 
Franchisee Success

A Top 75 Franchise Business Book on Amazon

Franchise success isn’t about luck. It’s about rhythm, relationships, and relentless clarity.

In The Principles of Franchisee Success, Laura Darrell breaks down the core practices that drive thriving franchise businesses. Drawing from her own experience as both a multi-unit franchisee and franchisor executive, she shares real-world strategies to help leaders deliver consistency, strengthen partnerships, and lead with purpose in every location.

Whether you operate one store or fifty, this book gives you the blueprint to scale with intention—and build something that lasts.

Key Takeaways
Building operational rhythms that protect the brand and empower teams
Strengthening communication between franchisees and the head office
Driving consistent results through community engagement and local ownership

Click here to read testimonials from franchisees and field leaders who’ve applied these principles in real time.

The Promotability Gap

As featured in Publishers Weekly’s Indie Spotlight

You’re smart. You’re capable. You’ve done the work. So why aren’t you moving up?

The Promotability Gap reveals the hidden reasons why talented individuals reach a career ceiling, despite meeting all the necessary criteria. Through real-world stories, executive insights, and practical coaching tools, Laura reveals how to identify the invisible barriers holding you back and how to break through them without losing your sense of self in the process.

This is your roadmap for turning stalled potential into upward momentum.

Key Takeaways
Spot the invisible behaviors that block career progression
Build promotable skills—beyond technical expertise
Take ownership of your growth and advancement

Click here to read testimonials from readers who’ve closed their own promotability gap.

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