The Art of Presence: Ingredients for Success in Leadership and Life
Guest: Gabriella Salvatore, Global Organizational Effectiveness & Leadership Strategy Advisor
Host: Julie Riga
Overview
In this transformational episode, Julie welcomes Gabriella Salvatore to explore authentic leadership presence. Gabriella shares powerful insights on being truly present in our hyper-connected world. This conversation reveals the deeper practice of presence - how to listen, connect, and lead with clarity even when life pulls us in countless directions. Whether you're a busy professional or entrepreneur struggling with constant distractions, this episode offers practical wisdom for reclaiming your focus and making meaningful connections.
The Art of Presence: Ingredients for Success in Leadership and Life
Gabriella Salvatore is a global organizational effectiveness and leadership strategy advisor who helps enterprises scale with clarity, humanity, and impact. She has led transformational change across biopharma, tech, and financial services, influencing tens of thousands of employees worldwide.
Fun Fact: Gabriella's favorite food is matzo brei - Jewish French toast made with matzo dipped in egg and fried in butter. She shares this unique heritage connection with host Julie Riga, as they're both Italian and Jewish. Gabriella prefers her matzo brei wetted before dipping in egg, served with butter and sugar.
What You'll Learn
• The distinction between being present (focused attention) and having presence (quality of connection)
• How digital distraction undermines leadership and relationships
• Practical strategies: turning off notifications, time-blocking, and teaching stakeholders healthy boundaries
• Why listening to yourself and others is the foundation of all presence
Key Insights
• Presence is a practice, not perfection - even experienced meditators struggle daily
• Model boundaries to teach others that constant connectivity isn't necessary
• Be present to your specific role in each moment and honor what it needs
• Quality over speed - singular focus beats divided attention
Memorable Quotes
"Being present means reducing distraction and listening carefully - both to myself and to the other."
"It's really okay to teach our stakeholders that you can wait."
"It's more powerful to be present than distracted."
"There is no perfection in presence."
Who Should Listen
Leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals overwhelmed by modern life's constant pull. If you're struggling with digital distraction, managing multiple priorities, or feeling never fully present, this conversation offers validation and practical solutions. We're all recovering non-present people - the goal is continuous practice, not perfection.
Your Next Step
Turn off your notifications for one day. Notice what happens. Then experiment with 2-hour time blocks. Presence isn't about perfection - it's about returning to authentic connection with yourself and others.
Connect with Gabriella Salvatore
• LinkedIn: Gabriella D. Salvatore
• Email: gabrielladsalvatore@gmail.com
Connect with Julie Riga
• Website: julieriga.com/lead
• Coaching: Learn more about leadership coaching, personal transformation, and the ingredients for success in life and career
Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts
Share this episode with leaders who need this reminder about the power of presence
#StayOnCourse #LeadershipPresence #AuthenticLeadership #Mindfulness #PurposeDrivenLeadership
