Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Lisa E. Kirkwood

We recently had the chance to connect with Lisa E. Kirkwood and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa E., so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Aside from reading lots of books, writing, and publishing original content like book chapters, training courses, and magazine articles on multiple platforms, I really enjoy long walks on the beach. I live close to the ocean and there’s something infinitely spiritual and calming about the constant flow of water and whispering waves. It’s a perfect way to search for and find your own true self. Time flies by like in another dimension when you meditate while listening to the sound of water, a fountain, a lake, a sea, or the great blue ocean. The pure music of nature always uplifts the soul.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am known as The True Stories Merchant™; Global Voice. Soulful Connector.
Keynote Speaker, Amazon Bestselling Author, Transformational Thought Leader, Expert Consultant

I specialize in global diversity & intercultural communication, team building & development, leadership & empowerment. My international background and decades-long experience help others who seek to connect through proper communication, respect, and appreciation.

I teach employers and employees how to turn workforce diversity into a competitive advantage. Serving businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions, I work with national and international clients, individuals and organizations across borders to develop relational fluency that empowers people of all walks of life to build closer connections within thriving social groups.

I provide practical, human-centered tools that can transform emerging issues into opportunities for growth. By harmonizing potentially tense situations and environments, I help people find a common ground of mutual understanding, despite generational and cultural differences.

I’m the co-author of six books, five of which have achieved #1 Amazon bestseller status: Passion Driven Leadership – Cultivating People and Purpose for Business Growth (Business Management Volume 5 Book 1); A Legacy in Humanitarianism: Journeys to Genuine Connections Through Purpose, People, and Passion; Global Horizon: Strategies and Innovations in International Tourism

The Culture of People: Navigating Human Behavior in Organizations; Rising Together – The Power Within: Women’s Stories of Resilience and Leadership (Book II 1); The Digital Society: Reimagining Social Dynamics with Artificial Intelligence.

I have received a number of leadership awards for my literary contributions and book collaborations. Each of these books is meant to inspire, educate, elevate, and empower. There’s an overall message of unity by shared individual and collective values, rich insights, life experiences, and relatable stories that encourage people to embrace growth and advocate for positive change. This journey of creative writing has enhanced my perspective and allowed me to reach global audiences.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was only a teenager, a historical event happened in my native country, Romania. During December 1989, a big social upheaval that turned into a full revolution toppled the communist dictatorial regime that had ruled us for decades. During many years of oppression and isolation, it was difficult to enjoy and embrace cultural values that were not primarily national and we were largely denied access to travel abroad.

After the revolution, our country took a different course, aligning itself more and more with Western European values and transitioning to a market economy. The world opened up and we were able to see and experience firsthand foreign cultures and interactions with people from outside our borders. Anything foreign was instantly cool, be it culture, language, or way of life, as Romanians have always been hospitable and welcoming of guests from other countries.

This event was a major turning point in my life and one that greatly influenced my perception of global diversity, intercultural communication, and human connectivity. I carry these values to this day and will continue to live by them and share them with as many people as possible.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, in my financial career in corporate America, we once implemented a program that was supposed to be game-changing and help employees and customers build closer connections. Instead, it created a rift because it was misunderstood and improperly implemented from the start. I pointed out to the management that the direction we were going would not yield the desired results and gave concrete examples of how to fix the issue.

The result was that the program was restructured and eventually retired altogether as it was doing more harm than good. I happened to be the voice of reason at that time, I saw through the confusion when everyone else was struggling to make sense of things, and I was able to offer not only advice and a clear perspective, but also actively contribute to the betterment of our practices, based on real-life situations of what works and what doesn’t. I did not receive official credit or subsequent compensation, but I was glad I made a difference to streamline our day-to-day business operations.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I strongly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion for everyone, regardless of their background, age, gender, color, creed, or other social divisions, that are often arbitrary and just keep people disconnected from each other instead of bringing them closer together.

I always choose integrity over quick gain, character over profit, compassion over indifference, and humanity above everything. These are universal values that we can all relate to and benefit from in an environment where too many people chase short term accomplishments or seek the spotlight for the sake of personal ego, instead of progress and collective good.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing? 
In my pursuit of success and in the process of building a cultural legacy that transcends borders and unites people worldwide, many times I would find myself seeking solitude to focus on my projects instead of spending more time with friends and family members. It’s one of my life’s regrets, yet a number of successful people would say that they had to give up certain things they liked and even neglect their dear ones.

It’s part of our existence as we know it, and not many of us can successfully balance career and family; that’s why every moment is important, and we should make it a priority to enjoy the small gifts of every day, because the great endeavors and big events are far and few in between. I would tell my younger self that finding peace in the little things leads to true happiness. It’s a lesson I learned over decades, and I hope others can benefit from my advice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thetruestoriesmerchant.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaekirkwoodthetruestoriesmerchant/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thetruestoriesmerchant
• Other: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-DGK6Kzw5L-empower-with-lisa-diversity-leadership

Image Credits
Lisa E. Kirkwood