Musings from Diana Peterson-More, this Month’s Hostess:
Welcome all – the always thoughtful and insightful contributors – and to our valuable readers. In the September Leadership Carnival, please find a wealth of information on a variety of leadership topics that will serve as the launch pad to the balance of the year. And, speaking about the gallop to the New Year, I spent time this summer focusing on what resolutions I made at the beginning of 2025, and where I am – and more importantly – plan to be by year-end.
In addition to the standard, “lose weight and exercise more,” I made work-related New Year’s resolutions. Focusing on that scorecard (and yes, I did make the other two), my list included four:
- Updating and republishing my 2019 book, Consequential Communication in Turbulent Times: A Practical Guide to Leadership
- Converting that and my 2024 book, “Can we all just get along,” Rodney King – Courageous Communication: a Return to Civility, into ebooks
- Starting a podcast, called “Wise Women and Good Men,” and,
- Converting my in-person training into online offerings, beginning with the popular Meeting Management.
I am halfway there, having launched “Wise Women and Good Men,” with Carnival contributors Julie Winkle Giulioni and Chris Edmonds, on the nexus between culture and careers. (If you haven’t yet, you can watch it here). Julie and Chris were excellent inaugural guests, and others are lined up for September and to the end of the year (third Tuesday of the month, 10:00 AM PT – LinkedIn Live then uploaded to YouTube). Both books are now ebooks, available on Amazon, here. And I’ve begun to draft the book update, which will include 20% added information. Other than thinking about the script, I haven’t yet finished the online training module, which will be the first in a series. How about you? Will you achieve your resolutions in the final four months of the year? Eager to hear from you.
The Mute Button on Your Ego: How Active Listening Builds Respect
Dana Theus
Active listening isn’t just a communication tool—it’s a leadership superpower. Rooted in respect and curiosity, it helps you build trust, diffuse conflict, and foster deeper relationships by truly hearing others before responding. When practiced with intention, it transforms both professional and personal interactions, creating a ripple effect of understanding, influence, and inclusive leadership. Connect with Dana on LinkedIn.
The Magic of Word Choice
Diana Peterson-More
In today’s world of nonstop information, polarized perspectives, and always-on digital communication, word choice is more important than ever. With sensitivities heightened, virtual meetings the norm, and social media amplifying both facts and fiction, the opportunities for miscommunication have multiplied. This makes it essential to pause and consider how we communicate, what we project, and how we want to be perceived. Focusing on word choice, one of my favorites is using the word “I” and reducing the word “you” to almost nil. Connect with Diana on LinkedIn.
How to Stay in Love With Life
Marcia Reynolds
How you perceive what is good and bad depends on how you define the world you are living in. This post helps you courageously change your definitions to enhance your creativity and feel more love for life. Connect with Marcia on LinkedIn.
Choose the Harder Right Over the Easier Wrong
Frank Sonnenberg
Navigating with GPS is a breeze, but life doesn’t come with directions. Here are 20 ways to guide you when the path isn’t always clear. Connect with Frank on LinkedIn.
Back To School: Assessments Are Beneficial For Each Phase Of Life
Taylor Simmons
It’s that time again, back to school, back to campus, back to the busyness of fall! As we move to a new season of the year, many of us are also moving to a new phase of life. Assessments can be beneficial at all stages. Here are a few we recommend. Connect with Taylor on LinkedIn.
A Pitch of Uncertainty at the Right Time
Marcella Bremer
If organizations prepare for possible futures, they need to deal with uncertainty. How do you develop your organization’s culture so you keep learning? A pitch of uncertainty at the right time keeps organizations learning and makes them more resilient in the long run. Connect with Marcella on LinkedIn.
Coaching with Courage: Best Practices for Unlocking Growth
Bill Treasurer
Leadership today demands more than strategy and execution. It demands presence, listening, and the courage to ask better questions. In other words, it demands coaching. But what does great coaching actually look like? Connect with Bill on LinkedIn.
Flipping the Script on Growth
Julie Winkle Giulioni
Sometimes growth means letting go of control and flipping into the unknown. What started as an aerial yoga class turned into a lesson on trust, support, and the courage it takes to grow—on and off the mat. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
Growing Leaders, Growing Roots
Angela Hummel
Investing in people is like deepening the roots of a tree. It may be unseen, but it is essential for growth and stability. Development builds stronger performance, greater engagement, and retention, while also being more cost-effective than constant rehiring. Leaders who take small, intentional steps to grow their teams today create the strength their organizations need for tomorrow. Connect with Angela on LinkedIn.
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: The Sustaining Value
David Grossman
The best leaders lead with both their head and their heart. In this article, I unpack what emotional intelligence really looks like in practice – and why it’s one of the most powerful tools a leader can build. From improving performance and culture to preventing burnout and boosting retention, emotionally intelligent leadership isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s essential for sustainable success. Connect with David on LinkedIn.
Parity Can Be A Winning Strategy
John Spence
Chasing endless differences leaves customers confused and leaders stretched thin. Real advantage comes from parity in the basics and clarity in what makes you distinct. This blog breaks down how to compete and win where it matters most. Connect with John on LinkedIn.
Is Workplace Loyalty a Thing of the Past?
S. Chris Edmonds
AT&T CEO John Stankey’s demand for employee loyalty may not sit well with Gen Z and millennials, says S. Chris Edmonds. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.
The Power of Respect
Ann Van Eron
Respect is universal, but not uniform. We all need it, but each of us defines it differently. We often assume that others should inherently know how to respect us, but the reality is that we rarely have the skills to articulate our needs or navigate the conversations that could resolve misunderstandings. Connect with Ann on LinkedIn.
In an AI World SOFT SKILLS are Critical
Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE
“Anyone can learn the mechanics of AI, but without cultivating the most essential ingredient—our human soft skills—the technology alone will only take us so far.” Connect with Eileen on LinkedIn.
The Value of Ratios: How Smart Financial Metrics Drive Business Performance
Jon Verbeck
In business, success doesn’t come from guessing but from reading the signs, and few signs are more revealing than your financial ratios. Whether you’re scaling operations, managing tight margins, or unlocking trapped cash in your balance sheet, these key financial indicators aren’t just numbers. They’re your early warning system, your performance dashboard, and your strategy compass all in one. Connect with Jon on LinkedIn.
Choosing a New Leader: Illusion or Reality
Priscilla Archangel
Selecting a new leader isn’t the time to create an illusion. Both the candidate and the organization must share reality. Pull back the curtains and talk about “how” they operate and get results. Because no one can really do the impossible. Connect with Priscilla on LinkedIn.
How The “Culture Decision Switch” Drives Behaviors and Team Success
Sean Glaze
In every workplace, there’s a metaphorical “railroad switch” that team members come to again and again throughout their day.
It’s not marked with a sign or flashing lights, but it’s just as impactful as any physical junction. That mental “railroad switch” determines the direction of every behavior…
And, ultimately, what I call the “CULTURE DECISION SWITCH” acts just like a railroad switch for your team – and it determines whether your team enjoys a culture of accountability or selfishness. Connect with Sean on LinkedIn.
