The Empty Chair and the Cost of Pretending

In Episode 9 of The Orange Twist, Giovanna D’Alessio shares a striking moment inside a Dutch boardroom: a sleek space, a leadership retreat, and an empty chair placed—deliberately—for the Customer. That silent gesture becomes the thread that pulls us into a deeper exploration of purpose: not as branding, but as an operating system.What happens when purpose is real? What happens when it’s fake?Drawing on examples from Patagonia, Wells Fargo, Volkswagen, and McKinsey, this episode challenges us to examine the gap between the values we claim and the actions we take. That gap—when left unaddressed—breeds cynicism, saps trust, and quietly erodes the soul of an organization.But purpose can be reclaimed. And sometimes, it starts with a symbolic act—a chair left empty, to remind us who we truly serve.This 10-minute reflection is a wake-up call for leaders, coaches, and culture shapers who are ready to move beyond purpose as performance—and into purpose as practice.The Orange Twist is hosted by Giovanna D’Alessio, MCC — reflections on leadership, culture, and change for HR professionals and organizational leaders. Connect with Giovanna on LinkedIn. New episodes released regularly. Stay curious.