062: "Why Most Leaders Aren’t Self-Aware (and How to Change That)" ft. Tulio SIragusa

Tulio Siragusa has led in New York, London, Silicon Valley, and Latin America—and his leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy, not ego. In this conversation, Tulio and Erik dive into the real mechanics of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, intention-based design, and how adversity reshapes who we become. From losing it all in the 2008 crash to reshaping how leaders think, this is a vulnerable and high-level look at what it really takes to evolve as a human being and a leader.

👤 About the Guest

Tulio Siragusa is a seasoned technology executive, leadership coach, and the founder of the EmpathIQ framework and Intention-Based Design. With a background spanning some of the world’s most influential markets—including New York, Silicon Valley, London, India, and Latin America—Tulio brings a rare, multi-market perspective to leadership. His work focuses on embedding empathy, wisdom, and emotional intelligence into business and life.

🧭 Conversation Highlights

• How living and working in diverse global markets shaped Tulio’s leadership lens
• The difference between conviction and wisdom—and why letting go of being “right” matters
• Tulio’s 2008 collapse, bankruptcy, and how it shattered his identity (in a good way)
• Why volunteering in a dusty warehouse changed his life
• The epidemic of low self-worth and how it blocks growth and empathy
• Creating the EmpathIQ framework: the blend of design thinking, empathy, and intentionality
• Can self-awareness be taught? And what’s the best way to start?
• Why leaders should run from false certainty—and choose grounded honesty instead

💡 Key Takeaways

• Adversity is a catalyst for empathy. Often, a breakdown is what opens the door to wisdom and emotional depth.
• Self-awareness starts with self-honesty. You can’t grow if you’re lying to yourself about where you really are.
• Empathy is more than kindness—it's wisdom in action. It’s about considering human emotion in every decision you make.
• Design your leadership. Tulio’s Intention-Based Design invites leaders to act with purpose and empathy, not just efficiency.
• You can’t fake your way to trust. Influence comes from presence, clarity, and owning both your strengths and your shadows.

❓ Questions That Mattered

• “Can you teach self-awareness? And if so, how the heck do we do it?”
• “Where did your global perspective on leadership come from?”
• “What caused you to become obsessed with empathy?”
• “What does a collapse reveal about your sense of self-worth?”
• “How do we activate grace—for others and for ourselves?”

🗣️ Notable Quotes

“Conviction is dangerous. It stops you from learning.” — Tulio Siragusa

“Self-awareness starts with accepting that you are capable of both incredible grace and terrible mistakes.” — Tulio Siragusa

“You can’t grow from where you think you are. You have to grow from where you actually are.” — Tulio Siragusa

“Volunteering in a dusty warehouse taught me more about leadership than my biggest wins.” — Tulio Siragusa

“Empathy isn’t soft. It’s the foundation of wisdom.” — Erik Berglund

🔗 Links & Resources

• Learn more about Tulio’s work: LinkedIn
• Tulio’s framework: EmpathIQ and Intention-Based Design
• Mentioned in the episode: Coaching Salespeople into Sales Champions by Keith Rosen. Find it on Amazon