Ep257 – The Leadership Harvest with Leif Hemstad

Leadership isn’t always loud, polished, or found in boardrooms—it’s often shaped in the quiet, everyday moments that go unnoticed. The most impactful leaders aren’t just skilled strategists; they’re deeply connected, intentional, and human in how they show up. From handwritten notes to unwavering resilience, true leadership is built through actions that create lasting emotional impact. This episode explores how storytelling, connection, and lived experience shape the kind of leadership people never forget. In this episode of The Inside Story Podcast, I sit down with leadership coach and author Leif Hemstad to explore the powerful story behind his new book, The Leadership Harvest. Through heartfelt reflections on his upbringing and the legacy of his parents, Leif shares what it really means to lead with purpose, presence, and humanity. Come and join me and Leaf as we talk about: The unexpected moment that made Leif realize his father’s “ordinary” life had an extraordinary impact on hundreds of people Why handwritten notes might be the most underrated leadership tool (and how they create ripple effects decades later) The powerful duality of leadership: what happens when optimism and realism come together in one household The emotional story behind a eulogy that turned into a life-changing book Why “soft skills” like connection and empathy are actually the hardest—and most important—skills to master The leadership mistake most people make: focusing on results before building real human connection How small, intentional actions today can become the stories people tell about you for the rest of their lives If this conversation sparked something in you, consider this your invitation to start paying closer attention to the stories that have shaped you—and the ones you’re creating every day. Your experiences, your people, your moments—they matter more than you think. Take time this week to reflect on a story you’ve been overlooking and begin to share it. And beyond storytelling, challenge yourself to take one intentional action—whether it’s writing a note, reaching out, or showing up differently—that strengthens a real human connection in your life or leadership.

You can listen to Ep257 – The Leadership Harvest with Leif Hemstad online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Ep257 – The Leadership Harvest with Leif Hemstad is an episode from The Inside Story Podcast with April Adams Pertuis by April Adams Pertuis.

This episode is 53:48 long.

This episode was published on Apr 1, 2026.

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