In a world where leadership is often equated with flawless execution, one author’s raw take on vulnerability and courage has just earned top honors from a major literary competition. Ralph Kellogg’s Leading While Human: Notes I Wish Someone Had Given Me has won three first-place awards at The BookFest Awards Fall 2026, a recognition that underscores a growing demand for honest, human-centered management.
The book secured first place in three Nonfiction Business Leadership categories: Leadership and Management, Professional Growth, and Psychology and Mindset.
The BookFest recognizes and promotes excellence in literature and elevates authors and creatives who contribute outstanding work to the literary world.
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Leaders don’t need to be perfect. They need to be authentic, willing to walk into hard moments, and courageous enough to lead even when there isn’t a playbook…”— Ralph KelloggOMAHA, NE, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kellogg, chief human resources officer at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, a TEDx speaker, and an executive coach, drew on more than two decades of experience in human resources for the book. Through a series of short letters, he explores what it means to lead while managing anxiety and panic, navigating difficult conversations, and holding people accountable with compassion.
The BookFest, which honors authors who create outstanding fiction and nonfiction, is built on the belief that literature has transformative power. Its mission is to support and celebrate those who create it. Desireé Duffy, founder of The BookFest, highlighted the importance of recognizing authors and creatives for the vital role they play in shaping stories that define our humanity. “Books bring us to new worlds, take us on adventures, give us a means to evaluate our lives and instill a sense of empathy within us,” Duffy said. “I believe that by acknowledging authors and their literary achievements, we lift literature in our world and lift each other in the process.”
Kellogg’s book stands out for its focus on authenticity over perfection. He argues that leaders must be willing to walk into hard moments and lead without a playbook. Duffy added, “I’m thrilled to announce Ralph Kellogg as the winner of Gold Awards at The BookFest Awards. This year’s competition was fierce, and Ralph should be very proud of this stellar accomplishment.”
For more information about The BookFest Awards and to see the full list of winners, visit the Awards Page on The BookFest website.
About the Author
Ralph Kellogg is chief human resources officer at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, a TEDx speaker, and an executive coach. He teaches at Bellevue University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha and consults with nonprofit organizations. He holds the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Learn more at https://ralphkellogg.com.
About The BookFest Adventure®:
The BookFest is the leader in virtual literary events, producing vital conversations on the world’s stage for those who love to read and those who love to write. It launched in May 2020, at a time when many live events were canceled. Free to attend, the biannual event takes place in the spring and fall, streaming panel discussions, conversations, and live interactive sessions. As an award-winning event, The BookFest has received recognition from the Webby Awards with a nomination in 2021, a gold award from the Muse Creative Awards in 2020, and a silver award from the w3 Awards in 2020. The BookFest features an array of literary speakers, experts, and authors, including: Mitch Albom; Kevin J. Anderson; Angela Bole; Mark Coker; James Dashner; Robert G. Diforio; Dr. Michael Greger; Cheryl Willis Hudson; Wade Hudson; Sarah Kendzior; Jonathan Maberry; Josh Malerman; Lisa Morton; Karla Olson; Deborah M. Pratt; James Rollins; Connie Schultz; Michael Shermer; Mark K. Shriver; Danny Trejo; Helene Wecker; Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, and many others. The BookFest is presented by Books That Make You and produced by Black Château Enterprises. The BookFest is a registered trademark of Desireé Duffy, founder of all three. For more information, visit The BookFest.com.
Desiree Duffy
Black Chateau
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Why it matters: This triple win signals a shift in what the business world values in leadership literature—moving away from rigid formulas and toward empathy, mental health awareness, and authenticity. As more organizations grapple with burnout and disengagement, Kellogg’s framework offers a timely alternative for leaders looking to connect with their teams on a human level.
