Available October 14, 2025
Fostering Potential in People
Great leaders don’t just deliver results. They develop people.
Fostering Potential in People brings together the wisdom of executives, coaches and thought leaders from around the globe to reveal how the world’s best leaders unlock growth in others and themselves.
Through stories, research and practical tools, you’ll discover:
✔️ How to give feedback that inspires change instead of resistance.
✔️ Why nervous system regulation may be your most overlooked leadership asset.
✔️ What separates people who grow quickly from those who stall out.
✔️ How to turn setbacks and criticism into powerful catalysts for growth.
✔️ Why readiness and the right conditions matter more than talent alone.
Whether you’re leading a small team, a global enterprise, or simply want to become the kind of person who lifts others higher, this book will equip you to create a culture where potential thrives.
Because the true measure of leadership isn’t what you achieve, it’s who you help others become.
This Isn't an Ordinary Book. It's a Collaboration of Lessons.
Why clarity of priorities and alignment between life and work goals often matters more than raw talent (Mike Dundas).
Why leadership growth isn’t one-size-fits-all and the eight factors that determine how easily someone can grow (Dale Thompson, Ph.D.).
How to balance truth with tact so your feedback builds trust instead of defensiveness (Miya Maysent).
The surprising impact of lightness and humanity in leadership and how to create workplaces people actually want to be part of (Betsy Davis).
...and more lessons from global executives and thought leaders across industries.
If any of this sticks out to you, join the waitlist.
Meet the authorS
Liana Knudsen
Introduction & Conclusion
Liana Knudsen is an executive coach and organizational development leader with 25 years of experience. She helps leaders grow through self-awareness, resilience, and feedback, using personal transformation as the foundation for developing others.
Mike Dundas
Beyond A, B, and C Players: Helping People Align Performance With Priorities
Mike Dundas is a senior executive who runs an organization at a Fortune 50 corporation of ~5000 people who specializes in helping people align their performance with their priorities. His focus is on clarity, intentional growth, and turning potential into demonstrated results.
Diane Zanner
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Diane Zanner is a director in supply chain at a Fortune 50 corporation who has held global operations roles in Singapore, Ireland, North Carolina, and Texas. She is known for her hands-on leadership style and her commitment to building trust by showing up alongside her teams.
David Jacobson
Relationships Matter
David Jacobson is the founder of Goal Success, Inc. and an internationally recognized thought leader devoted to helping people and organizations achieve ambitious goals. A former leader with the Ken Blanchard Companies® and the Center for Creative Leadership, he has guided clients in the Fortune 50, drawing on 30+ years of global experience in 85+ countries. He is the author of Inspiration to Perspiration: The Four Essential Steps to Achieving Your Goals and creator of GAIN Planning™.
Miya Maysent
The Sweet Spot: Balancing Truth with Tact
Miya Maysent is the CEO of Leadership Worth Following with 20+ years of experience in talent strategy and executive coaching. She holds graduate degrees in Industrial- Organizational Psychology and Counseling Psychology and serves as Board President for City House and an Elder at NorthPark Presbyterian. Her work blends data-driven rigor with human-centered leadership.
Alicia Davis
Reframing Challenges to Success Factors
Alicia Davis is a seasoned technology executive who draws on her leadership journey to help others reframe challenges into growth opportunities. She is passionate about resilience, positivity, and guiding people through feedback and transformation.
Dr. Melissa Lucas
Regulated Leadership: Leading From the Inside Out
Dr. Melissa Lucas is a chiropractor, functional neurologist, and wellness coach who helps high-performing individuals regulate their nervous systems for better leadership. She combines neuroscience and wellness strategies to equip leaders with resilience and presence.
Betsy Davis
Lead with Lightness
Betsy Davis is a former global technology executive at a Fortune 50 corporation who now coaches leaders through personal and organizational transformation. She is known for her approach of “leading with lightness” to drive results while cultivating joy and innovation.
Frank Azor
When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Appears
Frank Azor is the co-founder of Alienware and a veteran technology executive who has held senior leadership roles at Fortune 50 corporations. With over 25 years shaping the gaming and PC industry, he is also a mentor, STEM advocate, and advisor passionate about leadership readiness.
Dale Thompson, Ph.D.
Who Grows Most Easily & Implications for Leadership Development Strategies
A. Dale Thompson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, consultant, and founder of Leadership Worth Following, a Dallas-based leadership consulting firm. He has over four decades of experience advising Fortune 500 companies and is a leading voice in leadership assessment and development.