Innovator’s Survival Guide: Breaking Through Without Breaking Down

Kevin William Grant

Mar 2025 · Workplace Mental Health Series Book 4 · Kevin William Grant

About this ebook

Innovation is essential for progress, but the journey is often fraught with challenges that can take a serious toll on mental health. From navigating workplace politics and dealing with resistance to managing the emotional ups and downs of risk-taking, the path of an innovator can be as overwhelming as it is rewarding. The Innovator’s Survival Guide is designed to help entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and change-makers push boundaries without sacrificing their well-being.

Blending real-world corporate experience with insights from clinical psychology, coaching, and leadership development, Kevin William Grant explores the intersection of innovation, resilience, and mental health. This book provides a framework for understanding the psychological challenges innovators face and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to navigate them effectively.

What You’ll Learn:

The Psychological Cost of Innovation – Why innovators often struggle with stress, imposter syndrome, and burnout, and how to recognize the early warning signs before they take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.

Managing Resistance and Workplace Politics – How to deal with corporate inertia, toxic workplace cultures, power struggles, and stakeholders who resist change. Learn how to advocate for ideas while maintaining professional and emotional balance.

The Neuroscience of Creativity and Resilience – How innovation impacts the brain and how to harness cognitive flexibility, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking to enhance creative problem-solving.

Fail Fast, Adapt Faster – How to reframe failure as an opportunity, use iterative learning techniques, and develop the mindset necessary to navigate setbacks without losing momentum.

Sustaining an Innovation Culture – How leaders can create environments that foster psychological safety, encourage experimentation, and support long-term creative success without burnout.

Work-Life Balance for High Performers – How to set boundaries, maintain personal well-being, and prevent the exhaustion that often comes with high-stakes problem-solving and constant reinvention.

This book goes beyond traditional innovation theory by addressing the human side of change-making—the emotional, psychological, and practical realities of challenging the status quo. It provides actionable strategies to help innovators sustain their energy, stay mentally strong, and continue to drive meaningful progress without losing themselves in the process.

Whether you're building a startup, leading transformation in a corporate setting, or striving to bring new ideas to life, The Innovator’s Survival Guide equips you with the insights and tools to succeed without sacrificing your well-being.

About the author

Kevin William Grant is a Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Counselling Therapist, and Psychological Associate in Supervised Practice (at the time of publishing). He specializes in mental resilience, leadership, and workplace well-being, applying psychodynamic, trauma-informed, cognitive, and solution-focused therapies to support personal and professional growth. With experience in Big Tech (Microsoft, Mozilla), banking (TD Bank), telecom (Bell Canada), and digital media (The Globe and Mail), Kevin understands the psychological challenges of high-performance environments. As a Professional Certified Coach (ICF), he helps individuals and organizations navigate transformation while maintaining mental well-being.

Blending psychology, business strategy, and innovation, Kevin equips leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals with tools to thrive—without burning out.