Hemstad Launches Book In Stanley
Stanley native Leif Hemstad was in Stanley on Friday, Jan. 30 to launch his book “The Leadership Harvest”. He started his morning at the Stanley High School with students from the AP English class, FBLA and Student Council. In the evening, the Sibyl Center hosted a book launch with a social and then program and discussion.
Hemstad is a 1988 graduate of Stanley High School, the son of the late Curt and Nancy Hemstad. He grew up on a farm three miles northwest of Stanley, where his mom Nancy still lives.
He says that his superpower is boundaryless thinking. He says that growing up in rural North Dakota was the best blessing of his life.
After attending NDSU, he got married and worked for Great Plains Software in finance and account management. He talks about how that company went public and the highs of the stock market, until 2000 when it crashed. Employees were asked to take furlough days and they rallied together and were able to save jobs doing it. Then the company was acquired by Microsoft and since then he has traveled the globe working for them.
The Leadership Harvest was written for his dad, Curt, who passed away nine years ago. He says that is dad started sending handwritten notes and letters that reflected on his mom, gratitude and reflections of growing up. The book carries the spirit of those letters and the insights he gained for them. He says that ordinary people lead extraordinary lives and his dad was quietly one of those.
The book focuses on five lessons that he took with him and carried through to business.
The first is purpose. That includes finding something greater than yourself. In Leif’s case, this book is part of his purpose.
Belief in yourself and finding those leaders who believe in you is second.
Storytelling and connecting with people is the third lesson.
Fourth is that you win with people, making the people around you important.
Finally, is transition. Change happens in life. It can be challenging and that is okay. It is important to count on those people around you who care about you, want you to succeed and do amazing things.
Using these points, he wants to instill that belief in others, saying that when you see others succeed it is amazing.
He points to the power of community, saying that can help you find your greatest strength. It is tough sometimes. He also says that no matter what you may think, being from Stanley is the greatest blessing.
While at the high school he took questions from the students on a wide range of topics. At the Sibyl Center, he enjoyed sharing some of the stories of his father with those attending.
The Leadership Harvest provides timeless lessons from the field and the boardroom to help you lead with purpose, build stronger teams, and leave a lasting legacy. Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or your own family, The Leadership Harvest invites you to plant the seeds of lasting leadership, and reap a life well-lived. Leadership, like a good harvest, requires patience, conviction, and care for people.
Hemstad’s book is available on Amazon and through his website www.leifhemstad.com.