Forthcoming 2026/2027

Raising the Dead

How to Transform Disengaged Zombies into Engaged Zealots

26 chapters. 4 parts. 4 appendices. The complete framework for measuring and improving employee engagement—with the only live diagnostic instrument in the management literature.

79,985 words26 chapters

Raising the Dead

Jerry Peterson

Coming 2026/2027

What Makes This Book Different

Not another engagement theory book. A complete diagnostic and intervention system with live instruments readers can use immediately.

Live Diagnostics

The only engagement book with live, scored diagnostic instruments readers can take while reading.

Human-TOC Synthesis

The first integration of Goldratt's Theory of Constraints with human motivation and engagement science.

Compensation Architecture

Complete framework for aligning compensation systems with engagement drivers—not against them.

AI Readiness Framework

Why AI transformation requires engagement transformation—and how to sequence them correctly.

Table of Contents

26 chapters across 4 parts, from diagnosis to implementation

Part I: The Zombie Apocalypse
  • 1. The Walking Disengaged
  • 2. The $8.9 Trillion Problem
  • 3. The Gallup Reality
  • 4. Why Traditional Solutions Fail
Part II: The Z Scale Framework
  • 5. Five Stages of Engagement
  • 6. The Zombie
  • 7. The Zoner
  • 8. The Zephyr
  • 9. The Zealot
  • 10. The Zealot Leader
Part III: The AMP Transformation
  • 11. Autonomy: The Freedom to Decide
  • 12. Mastery: The Pursuit of Better
  • 13. Purpose: The Reason Why
  • 14. The Human Constraint
  • 15. The Dormant Zealot Hypothesis
Part IV: The Implementation
  • 16. Diagnostic Instruments
  • 17. The ZTI in Practice
  • 18. Environmental Interventions
  • 19. The Five Ideals
  • 20. The Three Ways
  • 21. Compensation Architecture
  • 22. Leadership Development
  • 23. Measuring Transformation
  • 24. The Quarterly Listening Chain
  • 25. AI Readiness and Engagement
  • 26. Raising the Dead

Plus 4 Appendices:

A. Complete Instrument Specifications
B. Intervention Playbooks
C. Research Bibliography
D. Implementation Checklists

The Core Thesis

"Inside almost every Zombie is a Dormant Zealot waiting for it to be safe to return. The Zombie state is not permanent—it is a reversible adaptation to a devaluing environment. Fix the environment, and the Zealot re-emerges."

This book provides the diagnostic instruments to measure it, the framework to understand it, and the interventions to change it.

Publication Status

Manuscript complete. Currently in agent submission with target publication in 2026/2027.

Manuscript: CompleteAgent Submissions: ActiveTarget: 2026/2027

Don't Wait for the Book

The framework is live now. Take the ZTI, explore the full methodology, or book a consultation to apply it to your organization today.