Bruna Martinuzzi > Quotes

“Hire people who are smarter than you are—whose talents surpass yours—and give them opportunities for growth. It's the smart thing to do and it is a sign of high personal humility.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow

“Something interesting happens when we approach situations from a perspective of humility—it opens us up to possibilities as we choose open-mindedness and curiosity over protecting our point of view. We spend more time in that wonderful space of the 'beginner's mind,' willing to learn from what others have to offer. This translates into moving away from pushing to allowing, from insecure to secure, from seeking approval to seeking enlightenment.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow

“A leader's upbeat mood metaphorically oxygenates the blood of followers—its' a transfusion into the corporate arteries.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi

“When someone has wronged you, continue to treat them with civility. It’s the ultimate mark of a mensch.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow

“A brief, well-crafted story that is relevant to your topic is one of the most potent ways to maintain the attention of your audience. But the story must be kind. Benjamin Disraeli said: "Never tell unkind stories." Inconsiderate and insensitive stories do not bring grace to those who hear them, and may actually leave the audience dispirited.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, Presenting with Credibility

“We will never known what opportunities we may have missed in life by showing up tight-fisted. It is hard to receive anything if we don't open our hands to give.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow

“Metaphors are one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal as a presenter. In today's fast-paced world of communication, a well-thought-out metaphor acts as a shortcut to meaning.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi

“Being a little nervous when you present means that you really care about what you have to say. Audience members see this as a signal that you are solicitous of their esteem—there is a graceful humility this—and that you care enough to want to do a great job. Caring for your audience almost always has a boomerang effect.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, Presenting with Credibility

“Emotional leakage refers to emotional information that we pass on to others through our body language. This information might be conveyed unintentionally, through a threatening gaze, a haughty stare, or a cold or aloof manner. These micro-expressions may be fleeting, but audiences are able
to detect them. Guard against emotional leakage.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, Presenting with Credibility

“Mensch is a German word meaning human being or person, It has no gender. In Yiddish, it is a popular word with deep connotations. It has been variously translated as a man (or woman) of integrity and honor, an upstanding individual, a decent person with admirable characteristics. It describes an individual who is higher on the evolutionary scale, a person in whose presence we feel safe; a person who makes us we feel good about ourselves. It is someone we want to work for, someone we want as our spouse or business partner– it is someone that we would welcome as a friend. Among the admirable characteristics of a Mensch are humility, authenticity, integrity, fairness, accountability, dependability, conscientiousness, empathy, composure, optimism, generosity, and appreciation — to name a few. There are no organizational assessments for Menschhood. You know when you are in the presence of a Mensch. They have a calm presence and they exude credibility. They earn respect without demanding it. They will often lead from the side, just by the sheer force of their example, whether in the boardroom, classroom or living room. These are individuals with high emotional intelligence. To be called a Mensch, is the greatest compliment one can give you.”
― Bruna Martinuzzi, The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow