The Long Win: The search for a better way to succeed

'Powerful and profound.' - Matthew Syed

'Anyone interested in motivation should read this book and think deeply.’ - Margaret Heffernan

***Selected as one of the Financial Times's Best Business Books of 2020***
***THE PEOPLE' BOOK PRIZE 2022/23 SHORTLISTED TITLE***

In this fascinating examination of our widespread obsession with winning, Cath Bishop draws on her personal experience of high-performance environments to trace the idea of winning through history, language and thought to explore how it has come to be a defining concept in fields from sport to business, from politics to education. Faced with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, Cath offers a new, broader approach – The Long Win.

Cath competed as a rower at three Olympic Games, becoming the first British woman to win the World Championships and an Olympic medal in the coxless pairs event. As a senior diplomat, Cath worked on policy and negotiations, specializing in stabilization policy for conflict-affected parts of the world. In business, Cath has acted as a coach and consultant, advising on team and leadership development and organizational culture, and teaches on the Executive Education Faculty at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University.

In this book she brings that extraordinary mix of experience to examine what winning has come to mean to society and to us as individuals and offers a fresh perspective on how we might redefine success – personal and professional - for the longer-term.

‘Looking at life from a different point of view is a rare skill. Built on in-depth research and broad experience as well as original thought, this book will change your outlook on everything.’ - Clare Balding OBE

‘This book is so relevant, timely and exciting for any person or organization wanting to investigate what success means to them. It couldn’t be a more relevant book right now and Cath’s exceptional ability in so many areas of life make it a gripping read with a lot of key takeaways whatever your area of interest. I wish every leader could immediately read this book as the world would be a better place if they did!’ - Goldie Sayers, Olympic Medallist in the Javelin, Coach

‘I love this book. It is a must-read for educators, business executives, policy makers, politicians and indeed anyone who wants to understand why we need a new narrative around winning and success. We need a lot more Long-Win Thinking in our homes, businesses and institutions and Cath’s book is the place to go to find out why – and how we get there.’ - Dame Helena Morrissey

Cath competed in rowing at 3 Olympic Games, winning World Championships gold in 2003 and Olympic silver in Athens 2004. As a diplomat for the British Foreign Office for 12 years, Cath specialized in policy and negotiations on conflict issues, with postings to Bosnia and Iraq. Cath now works as a leadership and culture consultant, executive coach, speaker, facilitator and author.

Cath is a member of the Executive Education faculty at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University. She works with leaders across business, education, and sport to develop high performing teams, resilient and inclusive environments, sustainable performance and cultures where people can thrive. Her approach is one that both challenges and supports leaders to think differently and adopt a human-centred approach.

As well as her coaching and consultancy work, Cath is an Independent Advisor to British Gymnastics on cultural reform and writes on topics relating to culture in sport for The Guardian. Cath is also a Trustee of Love Rowing, British Rowing's charitable foundation that raises funds for projects to increase access to rowing and an Advisor to The True Athlete Project, a non-profit organization which provides holistic development programmes in sport. Cath is a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta and Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge and the University of Wales.