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.