358. Authentic Leadership, Yin and Yang

Teresa Marinelli

On yet another business flight in a successful but demanding career, she knew something was out of balance. She reached for a magazine with an article about Feng Shui. Could something that sounded like a take-out menu item, plus a little furniture rearrangement, really make a difference in her life?

Teresa Marinelli’s innovative coaching style has landed her clients that include high-profile, corporate clientele, and C-Suite executives—the suites where all the “Chiefs” are—across many industries. Trusted with their most challenging, complex and sensitive situations, Teresa is solution-oriented and results-driven with a special focus on authentic leadership development and business transformation. The author of “Transform Your Relationship to Self,” an eBook, she has been featured on international radio shows and local television stations. As an inspirational educator, she is passionate about teaching individuals and teams how to cultivate the leader within and lead a purpose-driven life, on their terms.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

“I’m the oldest of five children, and also an identical twin, so I feel like I’m really a teacher at heart. That was a starting point for me to get my training as a teacher. But I also had a passion for fashion and ultimately went on to have a career in the fashion industry. Early in my career I was learning how to run businesses in the fashion industry. I really didn’t teach until many years later.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

After many successful and demanding years in the fashion industry Teresa’s health was suffering from her heavy workload. “I recognized that something was clearly out of balance with me.” On a business flight in the early 1990s, she picked up an article about Feng Shui. “The ancient Chinese art is about manipulating your environment to achieve what you want in the world. It’s a means to work your inner game, from the outside-in and learn about yourself through positioning your environment and letting nature be your teacher.” The idea fascinated her and she went home and rearranged some of the furniture. “A week later I got a promotion at work, the second one in a short time. I asked myself, ‘What’ going on here?’ I explored the few books that were available at the time, found a workshop and a certification program in New York.” Soon she opened a school of her own, where she offered a unique blend of Feng Shui and practical business training to help her graduates become entrepreneurs.

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“I love the business world, especially helping small business owners, entrepreneurs and executives to bring these energy-based concepts—spirituality, if you want to call it that—to the business world. I blend the soft skills, like Feng Shui and a new method called Conversational Intelligence, with the harder business and management skills.