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Books & resources

A clearer playbook for becoming a leader.

Starting a new role, learning to lead former peers or working through an operating problem? Choose the book that meets you there. Explore the current reading samples. Paperback and digital editions are in preparation.

The perioperative leadership library

Three books. Three leadership moments.

Each book stands on its own. Together, they connect the personal transition into leadership with the operating discipline required to lead surgical services well.

Front cover of The Perioperative Leader's First 90 by David West
01 First-90-days field guide

The Perioperative Leader's First 90

A Practical Field Guide to Building Trust, Stabilizing Operations, and Delivering Results

A practical guide to understanding your appointment, building trust and choosing useful early priorities. Connect the people, operations and follow-through required in a new role.

Front cover of Nobody Handed Me the Playbook by David West
02 Leadership memoir

Nobody Handed Me the Playbook

What the Operating Room Taught Me About Leading People

A candid memoir about changing relationships, mistakes, responsibility and learning to lead while still finding your way. Read for recognition and perspective; the story stands on its own.

Front cover of Surgical Services by Design by David West
03 Operating guide

Surgical Services by Design

The practical guide to leading people, performance, finance, and growth in the operating room

You know what needs to change. The harder task is getting a decision. Read a complete chapter with three worked staffing, capital and flow briefs—and see how evidence becomes a recommendation.

Books · Preview only

The three books are preview only while final author review continues. Book purchases and preorders are not open. Digital leadership tools are listed separately.

Choose how you want to begin

Read the book or start with the tools.

Choose The Perioperative Leader’s First 90 when you want a fuller explanation of the appointment and transition. Choose the Launch System when you want reusable working pages for the appointment agreement, first week and handover.

The subjects overlap. You do not need both to begin, and the Launch System does not include the book. The book is preview only. The Launch System is a separate digital toolkit; its product page explains the included files, price and first task.

Practical leadership resource

Turn priorities into a clear weekly plan.

The WCL 90-Day Leadership Planner connects one meaningful priority with 13 weekly planning and review spreads, plus 30-, 60- and 90-day checkpoints. Begin any time and use it alongside your existing calendar. The 46-page PDF includes worked examples and fillable planning pages.

Use something today

Prepare for one conversation.

See how to separate facts from assumptions, prepare what to say and agree the next step.

Release information

Know when each title is ready to purchase.

Digital and paperback editions are in preparation. Final formats, prices and purchase links will be confirmed at release.

WCL Leadership Notes

A useful next step.
Straight to your inbox.

An operating-room leadership situation, a worked response and a useful question to take into your week—plus announcements when books and resources are ready.

Occasional emails; no fixed publishing schedule. No purchase required. Read our free worked example without signing up, or download the one-page OR conversation card.