STOP Seeking Common Ground And Start Seeking Higher Ground | feat. Nina Vaca

Lisa Gardner chats with Nina Vaca, the CEO of Pinnacle Group to discuss her personal journey and the key principles that have guided her success, including the importance of a growth mindset, courage, and transparency.  

Nina draws powerful parallels between her experiences as a triathlete and the leadership lessons she has applied in building her company. She emphasizes the value of practicing virtues like resilience, humility, and risk-taking, and how she has instilled these qualities in her organization. Nina also speaks passionately about the significance of diversity and inclusion, explaining how Pinnacle has made this a core part of their culture. She provides concrete advice for companies looking to foster true inclusivity, highlighting the need for intentionality, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

Also in this episode:  

• Courage is essential for leadership - Nina defines courage as the strength and ability to do the uncomfortable. She has cultivated courage through surrounding herself with a supportive network and drawing on her experiences as a triathlete. 

• Practicing virtues builds resilience - Activities like triathlons allow Nina to practice virtues like resilience, humility, and risk-taking. She then applies these lessons to her business, helping her and her team navigate challenges. 

• Responding vs. reacting is crucial - Nina emphasizes the importance of thoughtful responses over knee-jerk reactions. She has instilled this mindset in her organization and personal life, encouraging a pause to consider the best course of action. 

• Seek "higher ground" in communication - Rather than searching for common ground, Nina advocates finding "higher ground" where you can seek to understand others without judgment, even if you don't agree with them. 

• Diversity is a core value, not just a box to check - At Pinnacle, diversity is embedded into the culture from the top down. Nina ensures there is intentionality, accountability, and continuous improvement around building a diverse and inclusive workforce. 

• Leaders must transform themselves first - As Pinnacle has grown, Nina has had to continuously evolve as a leader. She has invested heavily in her own professional development to ensure she can guide the company effectively. 

• Developing people, not just companies - Nina's ultimate goal is to be remembered as someone who built people up, not just built successful businesses. She sees her role as creating the conditions for others to thrive. 

• Transparency and vulnerability are strengths - Nina is willing to share her personal stories and struggles, believing that this openness can inspire and teach others. She sees transparency as essential for effective leadership. 

• Leveraging a "growth mindset" - Throughout her career, Nina has maintained a growth mindset, constantly seeking to learn, adapt, and improve. This mindset has been a key driver of her success and that of her organization.