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WAYNE PARTELLO

Topic

Leadership

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

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Wayne Partello points at hand-lettered pink text reading "I'm not OK with just being OK."

Observation

"I'm not OK with just being OK": survivor-culture leaders stifle potential; it's on you to…

I’m not ok with just being ok…

Observation

“What tool or skill did you use to be successful when you were the CMO of a team?”

“What tool or skill did you use to be successful when you were the CMO of a team?”

Observation

Have honest chats about what you and your employees want next, and help them get there even…

I love it when I see something on my feed that makes me pause.

Observation

Let’s create a culture where creativity is encouraged and celebrated.

Let’s create a culture where creativity is encouraged and celebrated.

A patio at sunset with text overlay reading "Positions change, people move around, but how you treat people will never be forgotten."

Observation

“It’s been a pleasure to work with you, I know someday I may end up working for you!”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with you, I know someday I may end up working for you!”

Wayne Partello takes a selfie with a former colleague indoors.

Observation

A great leader taught brand marketing, quiet confidence and executing a strategic plan—and…

Great leaders work hard to help you win in life and your career. I have been so fortunate to have a few incredible leaders in my life…

Wayne Partello points up in front of a red background beneath text reading "Simple advice for those who are seeking advice."

Observation

It’s a great time of year to offer some advice to those seeking advice…

It’s a great time of year to offer some advice to those seeking advice…

Wayne Partello points excitedly next to a wooden ladder, beneath text reading "What will you be known for in 2028?"

Observation

Taking time to care about your “personal brand” doesn’t make you a bad person.

Taking time to care about your “personal brand” doesn’t make you a bad person.

Wayne Partello shrugs between two panels of text reading "THEY should be doing more to help me succeed!" and "I should be doing more to help me succeed!"

Observation

THEY should be doing more to help me succeed!

THEY should be doing more to help me succeed!

A flame-bordered graphic reading "How to get the best fire? Generate vs Amplify" with a campfire icon and a gas can icon.

Observation

Generating excitement is exhilarating but amplifying genuine excitement should always be…

Generating excitement is exhilarating but amplifying genuine excitement should always be the goal.

Split composite: young Wayne holding a microphone on NHS Morning News, March 26, 1993 (top), and present-day Wayne in a CUENTO cap at a podcast microphone (bottom), separated by the text '30 years apart'.

Observation

Advice to his younger self: prove doubters wrong, control perception, surround yourself…

The rollercoaster ride between these two photos had plenty of ups and downs, I just wish I could tell that kid a few things…

Wayne Partello smiling in a selfie with former mentee Allyson Sinkevich (Reilly) outside a shopping center under a clear blue sky.

Observation

That young kid in ticketing that emailed the CMO out of nowhere for career advice many…

That young kid in ticketing that emailed the CMO out of nowhere for career advice many years ago…

Wayne Partello, wearing a CUENTO cap, and Katie smiling in an airport selfie, with overlaid text reading 'Started at the bottom now we're... where?' and 'I have not told this part of our story well enough'.

Observation

CUENTO wasn't funded and they weren't fired; they saved and hustled nights and weekends to…

I often talk about the importance of telling your story, and this week I realized that I haven't done a great job of telling a part of CUENTO's story...

Observation

The darkest moments of business reveal who truly has your back.

In the darkest moments of business, you can learn the greatest lessons about who has your back and who does not.

Colorful sunburst graphic with the words 'ATTITUDE' over 'ABILITY', separated by a horizontal bar.

Observation

Attitude over ability all day everyday.

Attitude over ability all day everyday.

Gold spiked crown prop beside Kings & Convicts K&C IPA beer cans and red snakeskin fabric.1 / 6

Observation

Leading creatives means accepting failure and vulnerability, trusting the team, and…

I love being surprised by our team going above and beyond to bring a brand story to life.

Observation

I once had dinner at Papa John’s house and he gave me some powerful business advice.

I once had dinner at Papa John’s house and he gave me some powerful business advice.

Observation

Stop under communicating!

Stop under communicating!

Dark teal quote card reading 'You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.' attributed to Jim Rohn.

Observation

Three years ago, I was preparing my team for a period of uncertainty like nothing we had…

Three years ago, I was preparing my team for a period of uncertainty like nothing we had ever experienced.

Observation

Strive to be irreplaceable to your teammates; the anonymous team exercise revealed who…

We are all replaceable, but striving to be irreplaceable to your teammates is something that will separate you from the pack.

Observation

Storytelling isn't only for external audiences; consistently share your story internally.

Storytelling isn’t exclusively for external audiences, there is incredible power to consistently share your story with your internal audience.

Photo collage on a glittery background: a '#WhatsYourCUENTO' card, Wayne with friends at a bar, an Oakland A's stadium video board, Wayne and colleagues in front of a Detroit Tigers backdrop, a selfie with an Oakland-themed screen, and fans at a Detroit Tigers venue.

Observation

What if you could appreciate the good ol’ days while you were still in them?

What if you could appreciate the good ol’ days while you were still in them?

Wayne Partello smiling in a selfie with his mentor Tony at a bar/restaurant, both lit by blue and purple ambient lighting.

Observation

Long post alert!!!

Long post alert!!!

Observation

Great people don’t leave great places.

Great people don’t leave great places.