In a time when leadership is often reduced to tactics and trends, Dr. Alise Cortez reminds us that real leadership starts with humanity. A lifelong learner, organizational psychologist, and founder of Gusto Now, Alise helps leaders and organizations activate meaning, purpose, and compassion at work. Her philosophy is simple but radical—when people are seen, valued, and inspired, they show up with gusto. In this conversation with host Mitchell Levy, Alise explores what it means to lead with heart, the balance between compassion and discernment, and how tango and leadership share more in common than most think..
Summary:
In this episode of Leaders Living Their Values, Mitchell Levy sits down with Dr. Alise Cortez to discuss the evolution of compassionate leadership in an AI-driven world. Alise shares lessons from her global life experiences, the creation of Gusto Now Academy, and how “living with gusto” means bringing humanity back into business. They unpack the dual forces of compassion and discernment, the tension between control and trust, and the personal revelations that shaped her as a leader and teacher.
Quotes:
“Work is noble. It’s how we move through the world.” – Dr. Alise Cortez
“Compassion is grace in action—it’s choosing to see people fully, even when it’s hard.” – Dr. Alise Cortez
“We’re doubling down on humanity while working alongside technology.” – Dr. Alise Cortez
Takeaways:
* Compassion and discernment are essential twin virtues of modern leadership.
* Leaders must evolve from command and control to curiosity and care.
* Purpose, mission, and values must be lived, not laminated.
* True leadership means knowing when to step aside and let others lead.
* Bringing humanity to work is not sentimental—it’s strategic.
Timestamp:
[00:00] Mitchell welcomes Dr. Alise Cortez [01:00] Alise shares her background as a lifelong learner and her “dancing with life” philosophy. [03:00] 2025 lessons: shifting from noise to delivering real value. [06:00] Discovering and understanding neurodiversity in herself and others. [10:00] Compassion’s role in leadership and cultural change. [14:00] Tango as a metaphor for balance, trust, and flow. [17:00] Building “gusto” cultures where purpose drives productivity. [21:00] Handling organizations that seek change but resist alignment. [24:00] Humanity and technology: leaders as organizational cardiologists. [27:00] Meaning, purpose, and Alise’s continued devotion to her mission.
Conclusion:
Dr. Elise Cortez reminds leaders that meaning and compassion are not luxuries—they’re the core of sustainable success. Through her philosophy of “living with gusto,” she challenges leaders to transform workplaces into communities of purpose, growth, and care. Leadership, she insists, begins and ends with humanity.
Links/Resources: Website:
https://gusto-now.com
Speaking Site:
https://elisecortez.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisecortez Learn more about Mitchell Levy:
https://MitchellLevy.com
Book time directly with Mitchell: https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-us
If you like what you’re hearing and want to dive deeper into credibility, clarity, and how to show up as your best self, visit MitchellLevy.com. You can also book time directly on the calendar at https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-us to start your journey toward greater credibility today!
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