Dr. Lindsay Ruiz is the Founder & CEO of human as usual, where she focuses on healthy hypergrowth and generative humanism for scaleups and hypergrowth companies. Her work aligns closely with humanity-centric business practices, which is such a crucial element for business success.
Lindsay brings 20+ years working with Fortune 500 and major growth brands, across six continents, in industries ranging from advertising & healthcare/ biotech, to technology, retail & consumer goods/ services, and a long-standing career in organizational transformation leading high-visibility initiatives around the complexities of scaling up, while maintaining ethical and inspiring leadership.
She earned Doctorate Degree in Organization Development & Change from the University of St. Thomas while conducting groundbreaking research into institutional-level dysfunctions in the workplace, a Master of Science in Organization Development from American University, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Marketing & Advertising) from I.U.T. Antonio Ricaurte in her natal Venezuela.
Additionally, she holds certifications in ADKAR Change Management from Prosci®, People-Centre Implementation (PCI®) Change Management Methodology from ChangeFirst, and a Business Coaching Certification from NC State University.
Lastly, Lindsay dedicates time to mentor emerging leaders through Upnotch.com and Leadership Triangle. She also advocated for Workplace Psychological Safety leveraging her expertise in applied behavioral sciences to champion initiatives that promote psychological safety, raise awareness about workplace abuse, and reinforce the need for ethical leadership practices.
Lindsay was awarded the “2022 Women Making a Difference in Enablement” Award and has spoken at prestigious events like Dreamforce 2019, along numerous podcasts and media outlets.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A productive day for me starts with intention. I do my best to plan my weeks in advance through timeboxing—this approach allows me to allocate specific blocks of time to different activities, ensuring that I’m both disciplined and flexible enough to adapt when necessary. My days typically include time for ideation and business innovation, collaboration with peers and partners, and focused work on strategic initiatives that keep me connected and grounded in serving my customers.
I also believe in the importance of self-care, so I carve out time for myself each day—whether it’s for reflection, exercise, or simply a moment of stillness. Social engagement is another key part of my routine; I dedicate time to writing, engaging on social media, and connecting with my community.
Setting healthy boundaries is crucial. It ensures I can be fully present for my family and maintain a balance between professional commitments and personal growth. This structure allows me to remain adaptable, resilient, and prepared for any changing circumstances that may arise.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I find that I am most aligned with my true purpose when I am creating. As an entrepreneur and leader, I see myself as a co-creator of the future, contributing to the collective advancement of humankind. This creative process is almost sacred to me, deeply connected to my sensitivities toward the needs of the communities and customers I serve. It is also driven by a profound sense of duty to advocate for our shared humanity within organizations and in every space we coexist.
My creative journey begins with identifying a gap—a need or an opportunity where I feel compelled to make a difference. This gap becomes the seed of a vision, something I believe I am meant to contribute to leave the world better than I found it. I then work to make this vision tangible, whether through creative design, written work, poetry, or an extension of my business offerings. The final step is execution: I bring that design to life, releasing it into the world where it can benefit others. What once was only an idea or a seed is now a tangible output, a contribution to the world.
What’s one trend that excites you?
A trend that deeply excites me is our evolving understanding of what it means to be human, especially in the context of rapid technological advancement. This concept was powerfully articulated by John Naisbitt, who said, “The most exciting breakthrough of the twenty-first century will not occur because of technology, but because of an expanding concept of what it means to be humans.” While AI and other innovations are indeed impressive, my focus remains on exploring and expanding our human potential. What does it truly mean to be human in our personal lives, our roles as leaders, and our collective contributions to the world? This question drives me, and I believe that our answers to it will define the next era of human evolution—one that is as much about deepening our humanity as it is about technological and academic progress.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that significantly enhances my productivity is practicing energy management rather than just time management. I’ve learned to recognize my energy patterns throughout the day and align my most critical tasks with the times when I feel most alert and focused. This approach allows me to channel my best energy into activities that either bring me joy or where I am most needed by others. By knowing my priorities and being flexible in shifting them when necessary, I ensure that I’m working on what matters most, making my time more valuable and my efforts more impactful.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could do it all over again and navigate this journey into adulthood with more wisdom from an early age, I would have stumbled less and risked more. I would tell my younger self to see the bumps in the road as an inspiration to do better, dream bigger, reach out farther, and challenge the norm more than I was able to do when I was too distracted by comfort and seeking external validation.
I would tell her what I now know to be true:
– We don’t need to pretend that we know everything—because we don’t, and we never will, and that’s okay.
– Our worth is intrinsic, innocent and unchangeable, and that’s our true story—never let your thoughts convince you otherwise.
– Be skeptical of the outer noise and learn to trust your gut; our intuition is our most accurate source of wisdom.
– Finally, don’t ever put your future in someone else’s hands—show up yourself first, even if that makes you look selfish in the eyes of others.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I believe there is a delicate line between maintaining our self-respect and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt or blindly assuming ‘good intentions’ in others. People often disagree with me on this view, believing that our intrinsic goodness is measured by how much grace we extend to others. However, much deception is also born from this approach. Instead, I advocate for gathering evidence of others’ intentions. By expecting and observing consistent behaviors, we allow a foundation of genuine trustworthiness to build. The only thing we can truly control is our own intentions and what we put out into the world—the rest is not ours to own.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Journaling. It’s the one practice I turn to repeatedly and recommend to everyone. Journaling has become my go-to method for getting to know myself better, processing difficult experiences and emotions, and documenting my life journey in an unfiltered and authentic way. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for reflection and personal growth.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, my first priority is to quiet my mind. I find a way to center myself—whether through meditation, journaling, deep breathing, or simply stepping away from everything. Once I’m feeling noticeably better and more aligned with my true self, that’s when I put effort into working on my goals and setting my plans in motion. It’s about making sure I’m in the right mindset before taking action.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
A key strategy that has significantly contributed to my business growth and career advancement is maintaining a beginner’s mindset while continuously seeking self-actualization. This approach allows me to stay curious, open to new perspectives, and eager to learn. I apply newfound knowledge in real time, directly to the projects I’m working on, the ideas I’m cultivating, and the strategies I’m developing. By doing so consistently, I ensure that my business offerings remain fresh, innovative, and generative, and my leadership qualities evolve to meet new challenges and opportunities
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One significant failure in my career stemmed from not listening to my inner voice when I started drifting away from my core values. I made a career decision that seemed strategically sound at the time but ultimately took me off track from my true convictions and direction as a leader. I found myself in a role and situation that didn’t fully align with my integrity, and this dissonance led me to a lack of inner integration and clarity.
Overcoming this involved a painful but necessary process of self-reflection. I had to reconnect with my values, learn what limiting beliefs or fears motivated me in those times, and realign my career, and most importantly my identity, with a direction that made me feel whole again. The biggest lesson I took away from this experience is the importance of always listening to that inner voice, no matter how compelling external opportunities may seem. It reminded me that real leadership requires us to stay true to oneself and making decisions that resonate with who you are at your core.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I’m willing to give away is the development of a subscription-based service that connects small and mid-sized companies with experienced mentors across various industries. This platform would focus on providing accessible, on-demand mentorship for businesses that don’t have the resources to hire full-time advisors. The service could offer tiered subscription levels, allowing companies to choose the frequency and depth of their mentorship sessions, with an emphasis on practical, actionable advice tailored to their specific challenges. By creating a network of diverse, skilled mentors, this platform could empower businesses to navigate growth obstacles and achieve sustainable success.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
LinkedIn is an indispensable tool for my productivity, contrary to the common belief that it can be a distraction. For me, LinkedIn serves as an amazing platform to stay connected with my network on a routine basis. I use it to share content that sparks meaningful conversations, connect with new people, and build relationships that can lead to exciting opportunities. It’s also a powerful tool for building thought leadership and increasing brand awareness. Additionally, LinkedIn helps me stay on top of new trends and insights that are crucial for my personal and professional growth, as well as for understanding the evolving needs of my clients and their ecosystems. By leveraging LinkedIn in these ways, I ensure that I’m not just connected, but actively engaged in the ongoing growth and development of my business and network.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
The best $100 I recently spent was on a registration fee to support my son in pursuing his first overseas studies in Italy for the upcoming college semester. This investment is particularly meaningful because it represents a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey, which is just beginning. It’s incredibly rewarding to see him set ambitious goals and take the first steps towards achieving them. Supporting him in this way is not just an investment in his education but also in his future as a young entrepreneur.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
One of my favorite books is “A Hidden Wholeness. The Journey Toward An undivided Life” by Parker J. Palmer. The book’s premise, “Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community in a Wounded World,” resonates deeply with me, particularly in my roles as a leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for humanistic values in business.
One key takeaway is the importance of leading with integrity and authenticity. Palmer emphasizes the need for leaders to align their inner and outer lives, creating a sense of wholeness that builds trust and credibility within their teams. This concept is invaluable in entrepreneurship, where the pressures of scaling a business can often lead to compromises in values. Another powerful insight from the book is the role of community in leadership. Palmer discusses how building trust within a community requires leaders to be vulnerable and open, creating spaces where people feel safe to share their true selves. This is essential in creating a culture of trust and collaboration, both of which are critical to the success of any organization.
Finally, this book left me a profound perspective on embracing the challenges and wounds we encounter in the world as opportunities for growth. As entrepreneurs, we often face setbacks and take on so many difficulties both for ourselves as well as for our customers and stakeholders, but Palmer’s work reminds us that these experiences can lead to greater self-reliance and a deeper connection to our purpose.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently re-watched Dead Poets Society, a movie that never fails to inspire me. This movie is powerful because it reinforces the importance of thinking independently and living authentically. “Seizing the day” (carpe diem) resonates deeply with me because it encourages me to embrace opportunities and take bold actions, even when the path is uncertain. Another profound lesson from the movie is the impact of a leader who inspires others to see the world differently. The character of played by the late Robin Williams teaches his students to challenge the status quo, think for themselves, and embrace our shared humanity as the reason to bring beauty into the world. This always re-energizes my belief on what it means to be a leader not only in guiding others, but empowering them to find their own voice and courage to pursue their dreams.
Key learnings:
- Whether it’s through maintaining a beginner’s mindset, journaling for self-reflection, or re-centering through mindfulness, always-always listen to your inner voice.
- Evolving as a leader and entrepreneur allows you to stay generative and relevant in an ever-changing landscape.
- Your leadership philosophy has a profound impact how you make decisions — from empowering your teams to growing your business, and building trust within your communities. Maintain ethical integrity even in the face of uncertainty.
- Manage your energy, stay adaptable, and overcome challenges by staying aligned with your values. These traits are crucial for navigating the complexities of business and life.