Book Briefs
A standing feature in LTEN Focus on Training magazine, Book Briefs lets members share tips and takeaways from their favorite business books. Reading a training-compatible book that you’d like to share with your LTEN colleagues? Complete our simple submission form.
Mel Robbins and Sawyer RobbinsBook briefed by Lauren Harbert
Core Concept (The Elevator Pitch):Mel Robbins — for those who aren’t aware of her work — is a dynamic speaker, author and podcast host focused on mindset, life improvement and behavior change. That clear connection to life sciences training led to her sharing a keynote address at the LTEN annual conference in 2016.
The big idea from her 2025 New York Times bestseller is simple but powerful: Stop trying to control other people. When someone reacts in a way you don’t like, doesn’t meet your expectations or just does their own thing — say “let them” and move on. Instead of wasting energy trying to manage everyone else’s behavior, focus on what you can actually control: your response, your boundaries and your next move.
Who Will Benefit From Reading This Book?This is a book that’s good for anyone, at any stage of their career. The Let Them Theory spoke to me as a team leader and, frankly, as a mother. (If you’re a parent, you’ll see the connection.) Focusing on the workplace though - if you lead people, train or support change in any way, this book will hit home.
Why Should I Read This? (The Takeaways):Robbins’ book is especially helpful if you’ve ever felt frustrated by disengaged learners, resistant teams or people who just don’t show up the way you hoped they would. Here are some key takeaways:
You don’t need to fix everyone to be an effective leader.
Letting go of control actually reduces stress and burnout.
You can lead with clarity and standards without micromanaging.
Strong boundaries make better leaders and healthier teams.
What Else Are You Reading? (If you liked this, you will like these too!):You can find some similar books about building confidence, ownership and emotional intelligence, including:
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb, Ph.D.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
The Let Them Theory is one of those books that made me pause and say, “oh… I do this all the time.”
Robbins breaks down how much energy we waste trying to manage how other people think, feel and act - at work and at home. For leaders and L&D professionals, this message is extremely relevant. Sometimes we’re responsible for outcomes, but not in full control of behavior, and this book helps separate the two.
When someone (an employee or a learner) isn’t engaged, a team resists change or a colleague reacts emotionally, Mel Robbins encourages you to mentally say “let them” and shift your focus to what you can do next.
She doesn’t explain this to mean that we should lower expectations or check out, though. She means it as responding instead of reacting while setting clear expectations and holding boundaries.
This book is easy to read, practical and full of real-life examples that feel familiar. It’s a great reminder that leadership (at work or in the home) isn’t about control — it’s about clarity, consistency and choosing where to spend your energy.
Lauren Harbert is executive director of LTEN. Email Lauren at lharbert@L-TEN.org or connect with her through www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-harbert/.