Shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2022

Many of us are striving to reach our full potential at work and beyond - to achieve our goals, rise to challenges and connect well with others. But how can we actively develop our performance, while also taking care of our well-being and life satisfaction? The Performance Curve is a ground-breaking guide to success and happiness in both work and life. Rather than telling you what to do, this book allows you to come up with a roadmap for evolving your inner operating system (your mindsets, emotions and habits) for your unique circumstances.

Crucially, this book explores both how you can improve individual performance and how to build relationships and cultures that bring out the best others. By interweaving individual and collective development, this approach is transformational for building leadership and organizational performance.

The Performance Curve is a powerful combination of neuroscience, psychological research and practical guidance. These concepts are then brought to life through the stories of remarkable individuals from different sectors, including business, the arts, academia and not-for-profits. Laura Watkins and Vanessa Dietzel draw upon their vast experience and research as consultants and leadership coaches to deliver a ground-breaking guide to enhancing your performance in your life and career.

Laura Watkins is a neuroscientist and leadership and organization specialist. She has a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Cambridge University and an MA in Physiology and Psychology from Oxford University. She began her career at McKinsey & Co, where she co-founded the leadership practice in Europe. She has founded The Cognitas Group, a leadership and organizational consultancy, and Jumpstart Development, which provides virtual leadership development.

Vanessa Dietzel brings unique insight from her blend of corporate experience, coaching, and teaching breathwork and yoga. She started her career with Boston Consulting Group and, for the past twenty years, has been working with leaders all over the world on their individual and organizational performance and well-being. She has a BSc in International Relations from LSE and has trained in a range of personal and group development techniques.