Tony Martignetti is the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Partners. He is the author of “Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life.”
Tony shares how meditation and therapy helped him rediscover purpose during a dark time, and he shares insights on leadership and self-awareness.
Through his “grounded leadership” approach, Tony advises leaders to stay intentional and true to their values, especially in challenging times.
To cultivate compassion, Tony recommends vulnerability and authentic engagement with teams. He shares advice on overcoming fear when stepping out of comfort zones and encourages reconnecting with past contacts to spark new opportunities.
Key Takeaways
[06:34] Tony describes a period in his life when he felt disconnected from himself and burnt out in a corporate role that didn’t align with his true identity. This challenging time led him to meditation and therapy as tools to restore “color” and purpose to his life. He shares how practices like meditation can increase self-awareness, helping individuals reconnect with their values and passions.
[11:36] As a leadership coach, Tony emphasizes “grounded leadership”—an approach to staying intentional and focused, especially during periods of rapid change. Grounded leaders understand their core values and make deliberate decisions rather than reacting to external pressures. This framework encourages leaders to reconnect with who they are, why they lead, and the purpose that drives their actions.
[14:41] In his book Climbing the Right Mountain, Tony addresses purpose-driven leadership and how leaders can assess whether they’re truly on the right path for themselves and their organizations. He shares a practical exercise, asking leaders to review their upcoming week. If nothing excites them, it may signal disconnection from their values, prompting a reevaluation. Purposeful leadership doesn’t always mean drastic career shifts; sometimes, it involves a simple mindset change to realign with one’s “why.”
[21:40] Tony recalls working under Henry Tamir, a CEO who embodied compassionate leadership. By centering every decision on the wellbeing of patients, Tamir inspired a purpose-driven culture within the organization. Tony explains that authentic compassion in leadership requires vulnerability and genuine concern for team members, beyond superficial gestures.
[26:50] Tony speaks to the fear leaders often face when considering a move out of comfortable roles, particularly for those in mid-career. He recommends a balanced approach, leveraging experience in ways that provide security—such as consulting or board work—while still pursuing fulfilling challenges. He believes that settling without pursuing one’s potential leads to regret, encouraging leaders to make bold but strategic decisions.
[32:20] Tony’s biggest leadership takeaway from his journey is that no one succeeds alone. He highlights the importance of having a supportive network of people who believe in you, even before you believe in yourself. This support helps overcome personal limitations and fosters expanded perspectives and growth.
[36:29] Tony challenges listeners to reconnect with old contacts, emphasizing that leadership is ultimately about fostering connection. In his experience, reviving past relationships can open doors to new possibilities and enrich one’s personal and professional life. Connection, Tony believes, is essential not only for growth but for building a fulfilling, purpose-driven career.
[37:44] And remember, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club” – Jack London
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Quotable Quotes
"I need to leave this room to change this room." Share on X "If you're willing to feel everything, you can have anything." Share on X "You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." Share on X "Expand your vision, narrow your focus." Share on X "We don’t go it alone. We have people on the journey, even if we don’t recognize it." Share on X "Just because the world around us is moving fast, doesn’t mean we have to make fast decisions." Share on X "Compassionate leadership is so important; it’s putting the patient at the center of every decision." Share on X
This is the book mentioned in this episode
Climbing The Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life
Climbing the right mountain will require you to get clear about what you want, who you want to be, and how to get there. Tony will take you through these guideposts to help you navigate the way: Evaluate Where You Are, Connect with the Leader Within, Calibrate Your Being, Check Your Surroundings, Be Ready to Adapt, Get Your Bearings, Evaluate Your Footprint, and Make a Meaningful Impact.
We rarely speak about how many people get to the top of the mountain only to realize they gave everything they had only to summit the wrong peak. If you are a leader who has had success in the past, but feels unfulfilled and wants more out of life, then you have the right book in your hands.
If you want to have a more meaningful impact and are motivated and ready to do something about it, I invite you to climb the right mountain.
Tony guides leaders and their teams to design their work and life to feel fulfilled and live an inspired life. He creates space for people to open their minds, expand their world, imagine new possibilities, and inspire bold actions. Tony inspires leaders to disrupt their thinking patterns, make a more meaningful impact, and shape their legacy.
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Resources Mentioned
- The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com
- Sponsored by | www.darley.com
- Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com
- Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com
- Website | Inspired Purpose Partners
- LinkedIn | Tony Martignetti
- Instagram | @inspiredpurposecoach
- X | @tonymartignett1
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