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WAYNE PARTELLO

Topic

Leadership

People, culture, decision-making and the realities of leading organizations.

Lead Idea

Sebastian Maniscalco at a SiriusXM Comedy Radio microphone beside the text "Unpopular opinion: Evolve or dissolve. 537 fewer comedians receiving airplay."

Observation

Evolve or Dissolve

Unpopular opinion: Sebastian Maniscalco isn't responsible for protecting hundreds of other comedians' income.

Supporting Content

Graphic reading "Great at the job. Bad at leading people." with two ID badges, Individual Contributor and People Leader.

Observation

A Great Worker Isn't Always a Great Leader

We have a tendency in business to take people who are great at their jobs and eventually put people underneath them.

Graphic reading "Don't add to the chaos. Fast. Precise. Calm." beside a tangle of red cord resolving into a straight line.

Observation

Be the Calmest Person in the Room

Earlier in my career, I completely misread one of the best leadership lessons I was being taught.

Latest

Wayne wearing a black CUENTO cap in an office setting, with bold text overlay reading 'The Fastest Path to Change: The Truth.'

Observation

"Can you come into my office? We need to chat about something..."

"Can you come into my office? We need to chat about something..."

Wayne and four friends posing with a chef in a restaurant kitchen.1 / 4

Observation

A few weeks ago Katie Jackson called me and said, “I have a crazy idea…”

A few weeks ago Katie Jackson called me and said, “I have a crazy idea…”

Wayne taking a selfie with two colleagues at an outdoor evening event with string lights and a food truck in the background.

Observation

My advice to people that want to work in sports that you either…

My advice to people that want to work in sports that you either…

Decorative confetti-bordered photo collage: Wayne on a baseball field with colleagues, and Wayne smiling with a friend at a bar with a game on TV screens behind them.

Observation

When something goes wrong, it can feel like the whole world is watching—but what if they…

When something goes wrong, it can feel like the whole world is watching—but what if they really were? 😬

Nine-photo grid collage of Wayne with various friends and colleagues at restaurants, bars, a concert, and other outings.

Observation

"You don’t realize how good of a team you had and how great it was until you’re gone." - a…

"You don’t realize how good of a team you had and how great it was until you’re gone." - a former colleague

Wayne, wearing a CUENTO cap, smiling with his former teacher in a television broadcast control room full of monitors.

Observation

His favorite teacher wasn't officially a teacher; he taught the way Wayne needed to learn.

As we head back into another school years and on the heels of a quick visit back to Boston for me, I’m reminded of how special teachers are.

Observation

It's been busy! You're feeling it, but the goal is right in front of you. Don’t get…

It's been busy! You're feeling it, but the goal is right in front of you. Don’t get distracted now! 🚀

Wayne wearing a CUENTO cap and shirt, making a surprised face, beside a comic-book-style 'WTF?!' explosion graphic and the quote 'Hey Wayne, we're bringing in a consultant to ensure we're on the right path as a brand.' - My boss in December 2016.

Observation

Resenting a brand consultant in 2016 taught him the power of fresh eyes, which inspired CUENTO.

“Hey Wayne, we’re bringing in a consultant to ensure we’re on the right path as a brand.” - my boss in December 2016

Close-up selfie of Wayne wearing a dark cap with a sunburst logo, making a skeptical expression.

Observation

Stop crediting other people’s “luck” as the reason they are winning.

Stop crediting other people’s “luck” as the reason they are winning.

Wayne, wearing a CUENTO cap, and his co-founder Katie smiling together in a selfie, with an American flag and 'Independence Every Day' text graphic overlay.

Observation

CUENTO Marketing is not financially backed by anyone other than the two people in this picture.

CUENTO Marketing is not financially backed by anyone other than the two people in this picture.

Observation

I saw this pic the other day and all I could think about was: Remember to be the pink dolphin!

I saw this pic the other day and all I could think about was: Remember to be the pink dolphin!

Wayne smiling in a selfie at an airport terminal, wearing a black CUENTO cap.

Observation

Your internal voice matters; he's trained himself to stay confident because "I'm all I got."

I had the opportunity to attend an event this week where we discussed an interesting topic:

Wayne sitting in a convertible car at night, making an expressive hand gesture toward the camera.

Observation

Breakups can be hard… but they don’t need to be in business.

Breakups can be hard… but they don’t need to be in business.

An old family photo of a young Wayne singing into a toy microphone next to his father at a family gathering, with a quote from his father overlaid: 'I was wrong. I've never seen you happier and more focused. Go after this goal with everything you have and money will come.' - My Dad.

Observation

Monday would have been my dad’s birthday. I spent a little time looking at old pics.

Monday would have been my dad’s birthday. I spent a little time looking at old pics.

Wayne speaking on a school auditorium stage with a microphone, in front of a large CUENTO-branded presentation slide reading 'Happiness is when... you realize your children have turned out to be good people.'

Observation

I recently had the pleasure to speak to a group of middle school and high school boys about…

I recently had the pleasure to speak to a group of middle school and high school boys about my life.

Wayne, wearing a CUENTO cap and sunglasses, holding a gimbal camera rig on the football field at a stadium during an SDSU Athletics showcase.

Observation

One of my favorite things about starting CUENTO Marketing is being able to actually create…

One of my favorite things about starting CUENTO Marketing is being able to actually create again.

Observation

A lesson I wished I learned earlier in my career. 🤔

A lesson I wished I learned earlier in my career. 🤔

Observation

Making time for networking is key to growth; LinkedIn allows networking every day.

I love this quote from my former boss and now partner, Claudia Lezcano from this week’s Forbes 30/50 event in Abu Dhabi.

Wayne and a colleague giving a brand presentation to seated Padres players in the team clubhouse.

Observation

An essential lesson from sports: Communicate your goals throughout the ENTIRE organization. 🌟

An essential lesson from sports: Communicate your goals throughout the ENTIRE organization. 🌟

Wayne making a skeptical expression in an outdoor selfie, wearing a CUENTO cap and hoodie under a palm tree.

Observation

Honesty is simple when dealing with others but challenging when speaking to oneself.

Honesty is simple when dealing with others but challenging when speaking to oneself.

Wayne making an exaggerated shrugging expression in a casual selfie at home, gesturing with one hand.

Observation

“I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability on the things you share.”

“I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability on the things you share.”

Observation

Are you crazy?!?! Why are you doing that for your job?

Are you crazy?!?! Why are you doing that for your job?

CUENTO Marketing meme graphic reading 'Screw Ups Happen' with Wayne holding his head in his hands, wearing a black cap and hoodie.

Observation

This is difficult to admit, but I’m feeling brave today, so here it is…

This is difficult to admit, but I’m feeling brave today, so here it is…

Four-panel collage of vintage childhood dance recital photos captioned 'Dance Like Nobody Is Watching.'

Observation

The times in my life when things didn’t go the best were the moments I tried to fit in.

The times in my life when things didn’t go the best were the moments I tried to fit in.