April 2026 Leadership Development Digest
hosted by Diana Peterson-More
April is the time to reflect upon the seemingly too-fast end of the first quarter 2026, and the heralding of Spring – a time of renewal and new beginnings. For me, I looked back at my resolutions for the year and found mixed results. What about you?
I succeeded in taking the advice of my book mentor, Leadership Development Digest co-host and good friend Julie WG, by focusing my monthly LinkedIn Live/YouTube conversations on matters raised in my books, calling the conversations “Leaders on Leadership.” Thus, the “Wise Women and Good Men” series drilled down to speaking with exceptional leaders offering important advice. Thank you, Julie, for steering me in this direction – you are always a giver of sage advice. (Where I fell short on my resolutions is my penchant for talking aloud to myself while driving, aimed at fellow drivers about the numerous errors they make – I will continue to work on that.)
Exciting news about the offerings in this month’s Leadership Development Digest. We welcome two first-time contributors: Susan Heaton-Wright, a colleague, friend, trainer, podcaster, and exceptional communicator from across the pond, whose blog focuses on communication mistakes we make, and a second Susan to boot (Susan Inouye), whose post stresses the importance of women in leadership roles in corporate America. Does anyone disagree with that? Thank you to both Susans for sharing their perspectives; we hope you contribute each month. (If I goofed and neglected to cite another first-time contributor, let me know. Huge apology in advance.)
Other topics this month range from growth & development, culture, communication, engagement & motivation, to AI and technology, strategy, coaching, team building, and performance and results. Thanks to all who contributed, our readers, followers, and friends.
Lessons from Leaders on Leadership – Diana Peterson-More
How do leaders effectively manage numerous stakeholders? Many workplace leaders have a boss or boss’s, peers and subordinates. What if you were a City Manager and had numerous council people – many at odds with one another – citizens, multiple departments and subordinates, and elected officials passing laws that impact how cities function? Learn from two seasoned city managers how each learned to work effectively with multiple stakeholders. Connect with Diana on LinkedIn.
Dear L&D: Can We Stop Overcomplicating Leadership? – Sara Canaday
When leadership development becomes too complicated, it can slow the very progress organizations need. A better path is to focus on a short list of critical behaviors and equip leaders with practical tools and strategies that help them put those behaviors into action in the flow of work. Connect with Sara on LinkedIn.
Communication Mistakes that Cost Businesses Time and Money – Susan Heaton-Wright
Overcommunication costs money in stress and errors. Awareness of the purpose of the message could transform your organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency. Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.
The Blind Spot Every Leader Has – Jon Verbeck
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that smart people still have blind spots.
In fact, the more experienced someone becomes, the easier it is to fall into familiar patterns. … That’s not a flaw. It’s human nature. Connect with Jon on LinkedIn.
Time Isn’t the Problem — Your Choices Are – Frank Sonnenberg
When you say, “I don’t have the time,” what you really mean is “I won’t make the time.” It’s not that you don’t have time, you’ve just chosen to spend it elsewhere. Connect with Frank on LinkedIn.
Guarding the Warehouse vs. Tending the Greenhouse – Randy Conley
Leaders often view talent development as a warehouse: hire folks, train them up, and stock them in the warehouse until they can plug them in the next available slot in the organization. In this post, Randy Conley says that talent development should be viewed as a greenhouse, where leaders cultivate an environment where people naturally flourish and grow. Connect with Randy on LinkedIn.
Three Workplace Practices Employees Want to Cancel—And How Leaders Can Make Them Work Again – Julie Winkle Giulioni
In a recent LinkedIn poll, employees named performance reviews, engagement surveys, and 360° assessments as the workplace practices they’d most like to eliminate. But the real issue isn’t the tools themselves; it’s how they’re used. This article explores how leaders can reclaim their original intent and leverage it for greater engagement, growth, and results. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
The Leadership Narrative: How Leaders Create Clarity – Priscilla Archangel
One of the most effective ways to boost engagement is to develop a leadership narrative. This isn’t just a speech; it’s a story or analogy used to put complex circumstances into context, providing clarity as the team moves forward. Connect with Priscilla on LinkedIn.
Conflict is Good – Five Ways to Make it Even Better! – Lisa Kohn
Lisa Kohn of Chatsworth Consulting Group presents Conflict is good – five ways to make it even better! on The Thoughtful Leaders™ Blog, where she presents a few simple, but not so easy, steps to take that can help make conflict more effective and productive. Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.
Dealing With A Chronic Spiller – Bill Treasurer
Some leaders lift others up. Others quietly drain the energy from the room. The real challenge isn’t recognizing a Chronic Spiller—it’s knowing how to lead effectively in spite of them, and sometimes because of them. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn.
Timpson’s Upside Down, Colleague-Focused Connection Culture – Michael Lee Stallard
Looking for some inspiration on how to make your workplace culture more connected? Michael Stallard explores Timpson Group’s upside-down management structure and some of the unique practices that contribute to its people-first culture. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.
Is AI Coaching A Good Investment Of Your Time? Use Cases For Business Leaders – Dana Theus
Will AI replace human coaches? I don’t think so. Humans help you grow your soul. That said, AI coaching can be an awesome accelerator and companion on your leadership development journey, making your coaching relationships even more productive. Explore the benefits and pitfalls in this article by Dana Theus. Connect with Dana on LinkedIn.
Coaching People to Lose and Find Themselves – Marcia Reynolds
The most significant leaps in personal growth come from expanding our definition of self, our identity. Coaches can spark this shift with these six steps. Connect with Marcia on LinkedIn.
The Power of Mattering – Ann Van Eron
When our sense of belonging or mattering is threatened, even momentarily, we are more likely to feel worse about ourselves, perform below our potential, behave impulsively, perceive others as hostile, and react defensively. In a world already marked by division and stress, these dynamics can easily amplify fear and polarization. Connect with Ann on LinkedIn.
Good Isn’t Good Enough Anymore – Are You the Leader Your Team Needs? – David Grossman
New research reveals a surprising truth: most employees say their leaders are simply “good” – and that’s not enough. Find out what it takes to cross the line into exceptional. Connect with David on LinkedIn.
Most Strategies Don’t Fail. Their Assumptions Do. – Marcella Bremer
There is a kind of strategic failure that never announces itself. The team is capable. The plan is well-reasoned. Execution has been solid. And yet, something seems off…. Not because the strategy is badly designed. Because it was designed for a world that is changing. Connect with Marcella on LinkedIn.
How Empathy Activities Improve Work Team Relationships and Performance – Sean Glaze
Empathy is the Hidden Skill That Will Improve Performance. What if the difference between an average team and a high-performing one wasn’t strategy, talent, or technology… but empathy? Connect with Sean on LinkedIn.
Corporate America Needs Women’s Leadership—Yet Progress Is Slipping – Susan Inouye
The command and control leadership style that once dominated no longer works; the workforce has fundamentally changed, and the need for emotionally intelligent, human-centered leadership has never been greater. Yet, at the very moment women’s leadership is most needed, organizations are quietly pulling back their commitment to advancing women. This disconnect isn’t just ironic—it’s risky. What happens next will determine not only who leads but how work itself evolves in the years ahead. Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.
