Renowned as a keynote speaker, trainer, and Forbes Contributor, Romanella founded 3SIXTY Management Services, LLC. With 40+ years in leadership, he served as CEO and Director at UniTek Global Services after a 36-year UPS career.
Artificial intelligence is all the rage today, and for good reasons. Nevertheless, people are fundamentally more important in business than artificial intelligence, as people bring qualities to the table that machines cannot possibly replicate. Intuition, emotional intelligence, social relationships, empathy, and trust are fundamental to cultivating customer loyalty and driving long-term success. Innovative problem-solving often stems from experience, human insight and imagination. The "human" element is essential for strategy development, balanced leadership, and maintaining the ethical and moral standards that govern successful business practices.
Top motivational speaker and best-selling author Rocky Romanella recently addressed this subject in a newsletter titled, 'Beyond The Buzz: Why People Still Matter Most'. In that article, he wrote in part:
In this edition, I want to shift the spotlight back to what truly drives every great organization: its people. I know—in a world buzzing about artificial intelligence, algorithms, and automation, this might sound old school. But here’s the reality: no technology, no tool, no trend can replace the power of a committed, inspired, and well-led team.
While AI might optimize processes, it’s people who build trust, spark innovation, and close deals. They are the heartbeat of culture, the architects of strategy, and the ones who turn vision into reality.
My belief that people are our greatest asset isn’t just a leadership mantra—it’s a conviction rooted in one of my favorite passages from history. In his 1910 speech "Citizenship in a Republic," Theodore Roosevelt delivered a timeless reminder of where true value lies:
“It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…”
This excerpt—famously known as "The Man in the Arena"—celebrates those who dare, who strive, who show up with grit and heart. It’s a tribute to the doers, the builders, the leaders who face challenges head-on and keep moving forward.
That’s who your people are. They are in the arena every day—making calls, solving problems, leading teams, and pushing toward goals that matter.
So, as you plan for the year ahead, ask yourself:
• How are you equipping your people to thrive in the arena?
• What culture are you building to support their courage and resilience?
• Are you recognizing the effort, not just the outcome?
Let’s lead with intention. Let’s invest in the people in the arena who make it all happen.
Rebuilding the Bridge: People First in 2026
Over the past few years, uncertainty has taken its toll. And too often, the first casualty has been the training and development of our greatest asset—our people. It’s the first cut, the deepest wound, and the slowest to heal.
That’s why I believe 2026 must be the year we reverse that trend. Our people are not just important—they are essential. They deserve our priority, our investment, and our focus.
Disciplined Approach: Develop Leaders, Elevate Talent
If we want to build the best, the brightest, and the most informed professionals in our industry, we must treat leadership development as a strategic imperative—not a luxury. The past few years have seen training and development take a backseat. It’s often the first cut and the slowest to return. That must change.
In 2026, our competitive edge will come from how well we mentor, educate, and prepare our people to lead—not just today, but into the future.
Here’s what a disciplined approach to leadership development looks like:
• Leadership Alignment: Leaders must model the mindset of continuous learning and intentional growth.
• Mentorship Culture: Create systems where experience is passed down, and emerging leaders are coached to rise.
• Hiring for Potential: Seek out individuals with the curiosity and character to grow into leadership roles.
• Performance Development: Go beyond evaluation—invest in education, feedback, and stretch opportunities.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Equip leaders to navigate change with clarity, confidence, and composure.
Disciplined development is the bridge between potential and performance. It’s how we turn promising individuals into industry-defining leaders.
A strategic business plan must include more than vision and execution—it must include a commitment to building leaders. We’ve talked before about how disciplined people with disciplined thought create world-class organizations through disciplined action. Now, we must apply that same principle to leadership development.
Because the future belongs to those who prepare their people to lead it.
The full text of the piece is available at Romanella's website at https://3sixtymanagementservices.com in the newsletters section.
Rocky offers a number of resources on his website that offer powerful ideas for leaders at any level - business managers, educators or small group leaders:
FORBES CONTRIBUTIONS:
Rocky is a former official member of Forbes Business Council and a past contributor on many different topics. A full list of his Forbes articles is available at https://www.3sixtymanagementservices.com/forbes-business-council/.
PODCAST:
Rocky hosts The Leadership Library Podcast, now in its 9th season. New shows will be posted every Tuesday through the end of 2025 at https://tightenthelugnuts.com/.
All of us are leaders in some way - parents, educators, athletes, special interest groups large and small, sales teams - the list is endless. Regardless of the role we play, Romanella's concepts, developed under the heading of Balanced Leadership, can be applied to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and results.
Morning coffee is one of the joys of life for many of us. When you add your Cup of Joe to your visit to the Leadership Library podcast, your morning coffee will add an educational, entertaining dose of leadership octane to your day. Past show topics include:
The Feeling Of Trust That Comes From Hope (over 7.5 K views)
Soft Skills For Great Results (over 3.1K views)
Balanced Leadership
Goal Setting
Integrity
Leaving a Legacy
Personal Values
Performance of a Successful Team
Strategic Vision
Operational Excellence
Strategic Process
Are You A Job Skill Developer
Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
SWOT Analysis
Training and Development
with many more topics available and more on the upcoming schedule.
The podcast is now available at https://tightenthelugnuts.com or visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1484407. The podcast is also available at Apple Podcasts. More on leadership, building a legacy and many other topics are also available at Romanella's website at https://3SixtyManagementServices.com.
BOOK:
Rocky's book about leadership, 'Tighten The Lug Nuts: The Principles Of Balanced Leadership' recently achieved number 1 bestseller status in both Business Management and Business Leadership.
In 'Tighten the Lug Nuts', Romanella uses his forty-plus years of experience at UPS, and his CEO and Director roles, to explore the ways a true leader can lead any organization and its people to new levels of success.
If you read only one business book this year, this is the book you should read.
Rocky's approach to leadership is unique and highly effective. He believes that great leaders challenge their people not to stop at the first right answer. 'Tighten The Lug Nuts' is a book about leadership that help readers move past that first right answer. It is full of detailed examples that are organized in an educational and entertaining way to form a framework of real-world concepts. The deceptively simple concepts, with powerful “How To Messages“ can be utilized by anyone who holds a leadership position - even parents, educators, and others. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a first-time manager, 'Tighten The Lug Nuts' is not only motivational, but also a call to action for those who have yet to make a mark in their field.
The book can also help position an organization for hyper growth coming out of the pandemic, Key concepts detailed in the book will prepare leaders and their teams to hit the ground running as they rapidly refocus and rebuild. 'Tighten The Lug Nuts' is loaded from cover to cover with practical information that can help leaders become more effective, more productive, and more successful. It is not just another "book about leadership."
'Tighten The Lug Nuts' is available at online book retailers. More information is available at his website at https://3sixtymanagementservices.com and at https://tightenthelugnuts.com.
Rocky Romanella has built an entire library of cutting-edge resources, available at his website, to help position ourselves to come out of the pandemic stronger, leaner, faster and to get a jump-start on the Rapid Rebuild process. Those resources include:
LIVE AND VIRTUAL KEYNOTES AND TRAINING - SUPPORT FOR WEEKLY MEETINGS AND CALLS
Rocky has been doing virtual conferences and training sessions with a keen eye on POST COVID and the Rapid Rebuild of our businesses. He can build a program, live or virtual, for any organization. Topics can include any or all of the 23 Leadership Competencies, concepts from the book, Tighten The Lug Nuts: The Principles Of Balanced Leadership, or any topic that might be appropriate.
THE LIST - 23 LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
Every item on the list will play a vital role during the Rapid Rebuild of our economy, our businesses and our lives. Any or all of them will be appropriate for virtual meetings, talks or presentations.
PODCASTS LIBRARY
Over 108 podcasts that take a deep dive into Leadership topics. These can be searched by topic, show name or Leadership Competency.
VIDEO LIBRARY
The video library includes training videos, Balanced Leadership videos, Keynote Speaking videos, Tighten The Lug Nuts videos, interviews videos, Coach's Corner videos and much more.
More on leadership skills, virtual keynotes, training sessions, virtual meetings and conferencing calls, training workshops, strategy sessions and general information on the relaunch of the economy is available at Romanella’s website.
MEETING CALLS
As a special incentive for those who are ready for a Rapid Rebuild, Rocky will be offering meeting calls at no charge for those who purchase 20 or more copies of his 5-star rated book on leadership, 'Tighten The Lug Nuts'. Contact Rocky for details at rockyromanella@gmail.com, and or 610-322-0720 to schedule your session.
With over 4 decades of “boots on the ground” leadership experience, Rocky Romanella is one of the best keynote motivational speakers in the country and internationally. He has spoken in large and small venues all over the US including cities such as Atlanta, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, NYC, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Houston, LA, Charlotte, and many others. Internationally, he has presented keynotes in Toronto, Mexico City, Milan, London, and Krakow. He is known for creating excitement through his energy, passion, and knowledge, while employing his talents and experience to motivate, inspire and entertain audiences, regardless of size.
Romanella has garnered praise for his ability to connect to a wide range of audiences with his storytelling ability and innate charisma. Richard Snowden, President of Raven House International said, "An engaging speaker and facilitator, Rocky leads business executives to break-through results through break-through thinking." Conrad Swanson, Sr. VP Agency Development of Arpin Van Lines Inc. stated, "Rocky inspired many to look inward and improve the way they operate their businesses and lead their team members."
A winner of the UPS Chairman’s Award for Excellence, Romanella has created a legacy of motivating teams to achieve their best. He pulls in audiences with real life stories from an illustrious career spanning nearly 40 years at one of the most recognized and admired brands in the world. Rocky brings leadership expertise in supply chain, logistics and transportation, retail, sales and operational excellence strategy, telecommunications engineering/construction management and installation. Having led many company sales efforts, rapidly building brands, restructuring events, and developing a culture needed to integrate past acquisitions, he inspires audiences to create a unified company with one vision.
Rocky Romanella is available for keynote speaking engagements and media interviews. He can be contacted using the information below or by email at rockyromanella@gmail.com. Full information on 3SIXTY Management Services, more information on keynote speaking and 'Tighten The Lug Nuts' is available at the company website at https://3sixtymanagementservices.com.
About Rocky Romanella:
Rocky is the Founder and CEO of 3SIXTY Management Services, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in Executive Speaking, Leadership Development and Consulting Services. He also serves on the board of Goodman Networks, a leading provider of end-to- end network infrastructure, field and professional services to the wireless telecommunications and satellite television industries.
Rocky is an experienced CEO who led one of the largest rebranding initiatives in franchising history – The UPS Store, revolutionizing the $9 billion retail shipping and business services market.
While leading The UPS Store, the network increased retail unit, same-store sales by 5.8%, outpacing the National Retail Federation results of 4.6% during a recession.
Rocky steered UPS’s entry into the health care industry and created the mantra, “It’s a patient, not a package.®”
He also led the integration of more than 20 acquisitions to improve financial performance, capabilities, and global network footprint.
Through his executive roles and leadership advisory services, Rocky delivers results by developing and implementing his Balanced Leadership Model across enterprise operations. This includes a laser focus on customer needs, employee empowerment and the demands of shareholders.
Rocky has the rare ability to see a clear vision of the changing business landscape, the passion to develop strategies, tactics, and metrics to drive desired results.
Contact:
Rocky Romanella
https://3sixtymanagementservices.com
rockyromanella@gmail.com
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