#167: Why Impact Is a Leadership Responsibility (Not a Marketing Strategy) PART 1: LEADERSHIP THAT GIVES BACK Mini Series
Tue Feb 03 2026
Leadership isn’t shifting, it’s being rewritten in real time, and responsibility is no longer optional. In this shorty episode of Finding the Upside, I’m kicking off Part 1 of my four-part mini series, Leadership That Gives Back, and I’m naming the thing so many leaders tiptoe around: impact is already happening, the only choice is whether it’s intentional.
I break down why “giving back” can’t live as a once-a-year initiative, a marketing campaign, or a feel-good add-on. Leadership that gives back is leadership architecture, the decisions we make, the systems we build, what we fund, what we tolerate, and what we ignore. And yes… even our silence speaks. You’ll also hear why I’ve shared the MDR giveback model publicly, not for optics, but for accountability and why conscious, connected leadership is the only model that scales trust long-term.
Next up in the series: we dismantle the myth that profit and purpose can’t coexist and I’ll show you the new standard leaders must normalize.
Press play and let’s build leadership that actually leaves something better behind—because impact doesn’t wait, and neither should you.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…
[0:26] Leadership Is Changing
[1:35] This Is Not About Performative Philanthropy
[2:42] Culture is Revealed By What You Truly Value
[3:33] Leadership Does Not Live in Silence
[4:42] Your Voice Matters..
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Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening or watching the podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!
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Leadership isn’t shifting, it’s being rewritten in real time, and responsibility is no longer optional. In this shorty episode of Finding the Upside, I’m kicking off Part 1 of my four-part mini series, Leadership That Gives Back, and I’m naming the thing so many leaders tiptoe around: impact is already happening, the only choice is whether it’s intentional. I break down why “giving back” can’t live as a once-a-year initiative, a marketing campaign, or a feel-good add-on. Leadership that gives back is leadership architecture, the decisions we make, the systems we build, what we fund, what we tolerate, and what we ignore. And yes… even our silence speaks. You’ll also hear why I’ve shared the MDR giveback model publicly, not for optics, but for accountability and why conscious, connected leadership is the only model that scales trust long-term. Next up in the series: we dismantle the myth that profit and purpose can’t coexist and I’ll show you the new standard leaders must normalize. Press play and let’s build leadership that actually leaves something better behind—because impact doesn’t wait, and neither should you. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:26] Leadership Is Changing [1:35] This Is Not About Performative Philanthropy [2:42] Culture is Revealed By What You Truly Value [3:33] Leadership Does Not Live in Silence [4:42] Your Voice Matters.. Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. Unlock your leadership potential with the Rebel Leader Assessment! Take my Leadership Skills evaluator quiz HERE! Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening or watching the podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.