It’s not very often that I get to sit down with a fellow leader who not only aligns with my leadership beliefs but also happens to share, of all things, many of my dinnertime memories growing up.
Tina DeSalvo and I have an Italian parent and Polish parent. And after she and I satisfied our enthusiasm for all things Italo-Polish, such as our love for the holy grail of blended households—pierogies and pizza—we could get down to business and talk shop.
Tina is a successful corporate consultant and founder of the Living Life on Purpose program, and in the spirit of blending all that is good in the world, she recently joined me for a conversation around five related themes that that have been pivotal to our respective success in the workplace. It was one of those conversations that hit all the high notes, so I felt compelled to share them with you in one post.
If you’re willing to reflect on these themes as you head into the coming months, you’ll discover why both of us have found these topics to be meaningful in our own lives. I hope they serve you well too.
- Core Values and Influence: In light of our similar priorities surrounding values and influence, I asked Tina about the source of her inspiration on both counts. Tina credits her father’s discipline and her mother’s empathy and optimism for shaping her values. Both of their examples inspired her commitment to authenticity and purpose-driven leadership. As a result, every one of her client partnerships is built on helping leaders develop their own set of values and diligently setting a course to follow them and influence their teams accordingly. Think about the people in your life you admire and what values describe them. How might you make them your own and spread your influence to those around you?
- Purpose and Resilience: Tina’s Living Life on Purpose program guides leaders to define their values and align their daily actions with their purpose. Like me, Tina found Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning profoundly impactful, and the book influenced her perspective on finding purpose in the midst of adversity. Frankl was captive at Auschwitz during WWII, and in spite of the atrocities he experienced, he survived the mental anguish by focusing on his future and that which his captors could never encroach: his mind. Your higher purpose at work and in life serves as an armor when crucible moments strike. Do you know your purpose? My friend and colleague Steve White likes to test his purpose by asking, “Does what you say feel human-centered or self-centered?”
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- Addressing Anxiety in Leadership: Every leader experiences fear and anxiety. Some choose to hide it, while others show moments of vulnerability. Tina teaches leaders to manage anxiety by focusing on their circle of control and reframing negative-thought patterns. When leaders focus on what they can control, they’re better equipped to manage anxiety. When they allow themselves to be authentic with their teams and show vulnerability when it counts rather than arbitrarily, leaders demonstrate their humanity and build healthier, more resilient teams. Leaders can also manage their self-limiting behaviors by journaling. Journaling is a proven practice that helps leaders reflect, identify consistent triggers, and learn from their experiences. This learning builds self-awareness and enables leaders to compare their behaviors with expressed values. Check out my Monday Playbook post about how to start journaling.
- Transparency and Truth: Transparency is one of the leadership principles that inspired my book, so I was keen to hear Tina’s insights, since a memorable quote by Aaron Digman occupies her home page: “An organization’s health is directly proportional to the speed at which truth passes through it.” Tina highlighted the critical role of transparency in building strong organizational cultures. Leaders must model openness to foster trust and ensure that truth flows throughout their teams. Consider the different ways you model truth at home and at work. How does transparency play out in the way you talk, behave, and interact with everyone around you?
- Gratitude and Connection: Tina practices gratitude daily and encourages leaders to do the same, noting its transformative impact on mindset and relationships. She treasures moments of connection, whether through shared meals or meaningful conversations. Gratitude is part of my daily ritual too and has become an important part of my connections with others. Studies reveal that gratitude is a predictor of two emotions we should never find ourselves in short supply of: hope and happiness. Researchers say that hope and happiness are inextricably linked and affect our past, present, and future:
- Past – Gratitude is the appreciation for something received.
- Present – Happiness is the enjoyment of the present state of good.
- Future – Hope is the desire for a valued outcome.
As you reflect on these ideas, I encourage you to make space for them in your own life—whether that’s in the workplace or around the dinner table. Journaling to manage anxiety, practicing gratitude to deepen connections, or aligning your actions with your values: Every practice has the power to transform not only your leadership but also the lives of those around you. And as Tina and I both agree, leading with a blend of heart and purpose is how we create lasting impact. So here’s to a blend of meaningful leadership values—and maybe a pierogi and pizza party to celebrate it. Want to catch my conversation with Tina? Watch this Off the Rak episode.
