As artificial intelligence and automation reshape workplaces, bestselling author and top leadership voice Rocky Romanella has released a new four-part leadership series to help leaders stay grounded in timeless principles. Titled "The Mentor: Believing in People Before They Believe in Themselves," the series blends Romanella's decades of leadership experience at UPS and The UPS Store Franchise Network with values-driven lessons he has taught to thousands of leaders nationwide.
Romanella, a respected keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of Tighten the Lug Nuts, created the series to help leaders remain steady and purpose-driven in an era where technology is accelerating change faster than ever. The series emphasizes that while AI can help accomplish many things, there is one thing AI cannot do – it cannot lead. "In the age of AI, leaders must remember that belief, trust, and character are still the foundation of every great organization," Romanella said. "Technology may change how we work, but it will never replace the responsibility leaders have to lift others, mentor with purpose, and leave things a little better than they found them."
The four-part series explores belief as a leadership responsibility, mentorship through Coach Wooden's principles, the UPS promotion from within culture, coachability as the bridge between potential and progress, gratitude as the anchor of leadership, and the "One Word" identity exercise. Romanella also shares personal stories from his leadership journey, including lessons from his father, his time at UPS, and his experience leading the MBE/The UPS Store Franchise Network — all woven into a modern framework for leading with character in the AI era. His long-standing connection to legendary coach John Wooden further reinforces the depth and authenticity of the mentorship principles explored in the series. Romanella's published conversation with Wooden, available on his website, offers readers a rare firsthand look at the values and philosophies of one of history's most respected coaches. Readers can access that conversation at https://www.3sixtymanagementservices.com/category/leadership-training/.
"If you choose to lead, you must choose to be an honest and trusted leader," Romanella added. "Your vision, mission, and values only matter if people trust you enough to follow. In a world of constant change, trustworthiness is your highest honor — and your lasting legacy." The full series will be available starting September 15, 2026, and can be accessed at https://www.3sixtymanagementservices.com/category/newsletters/.
Romanella continues to speak, coach, and write on leadership, ethics, and purpose-driven decision-making, helping organizations build high-character, high-performance cultures in a rapidly evolving business landscape. He offers a number of resources on his website that provide powerful ideas for leaders at any level, including business managers, educators, and small group leaders. A former official member of Forbes Business Council, Romanella's full list of Forbes articles is available at https://www.3sixtymanagementservices.com/forbes-business-council/. He also hosts The Leadership Library Podcast, now in its ninth season, with new shows posted every Tuesday through the end of 2025 at https://tightenthelugnuts.com/.
His book, Tighten The Lug Nuts: The Principles Of Balanced Leadership, recently achieved number one bestseller status in both Business Management and Business Leadership. In it, Romanella uses his forty-plus years of experience at UPS, along with his CEO and Director roles, to explore how a true leader can lead any organization and its people to new levels of success. More information is available at https://3sixtymanagementservices.com.
