Why a People Over Profits Mindset Matters to Organizations: A Lesson in Leadership from Dan Cuneo’s TEDx Talk
Recently, our very own Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Cuneo, Esq. took the stage at TEDx Bayshore Blvd in Tampa, Florida to deliver a talk that challenges one of the most ingrained ideas in modern business: that profits are the most important thing to an organization.
In his talk, “Why People Matter More Than Profits,” Dan invited the audience to question what truly defines success – and whether companies can truly thrive when they lose sight of the humans behind the numbers. Watch the full TEDx talk, here, or in the video below:
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A Candid Opening: The Profits Over People Mindset
Dan began by asking the audience a simple question:
“Do you think companies today value profits over people – or people over profits?”
The answer was nearly unanimous. Most believed that organizations prioritize profits first.
Dan didn’t shy away from that reality. He acknowledged that employers often demand more and more from their people – longer hours, higher productivity, constant availability – yet those same employees are the first to be cut when budgets tighten. When balance sheets take precedence over human beings, he said, everyone loses.
That moment set the tone for an honest and emotional talk about courage, leadership, and redefining what success truly means.
A Personal Reckoning: When Profit Came Before People
Dan shared a story from his own career that illustrated this imbalance all too clearly. Years ago, he worked for an organization where he was tasked with laying off team members – good people who had families, mortgages, and responsibilities.
It was his job to deliver the news, but it never felt right. He admitted feeling not only heartbroken for those affected but also angry at himself for not standing up to a system that saw people as expendable. That moment became a turning point.
“I felt awful about what I was doing,” he said. “And I was mad at myself that I didn’t have the courage to stand up.”
That experience changed the way he viewed leadership. It taught him that numbers may sustain a company, but its people sustain its purpose.
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Redefining Success: Building Organizations That Value People First
From that experience, Dan began to rethink what leadership should look like. He now believes that when organizations invest in human well-being, they create stronger loyalty, deeper trust, greater innovation, and long-term success that no spreadsheet can measure.
His framework for this transformation centers on three pillars: culture, developmental leadership, and training.
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Culture: Rebuilding Trust Through the Power of Community
To explain the first pillar – culture – Dan drew an unexpected yet powerful comparison: tribal communities.
In a tribe, he noted, people share language, values, and above all, trust. Each member looks out for the other because their survival depends on it.
“Why can’t our companies operate the same way,” he asked, “where our people become the tribe of the company?”
In a healthy culture, leaders take the time to listen, ask questions, and build genuine bonds, knowing their team members are real people with real lives outside the company. It is also about the golden rule, which teaches us to treat others the way you want to be treated. And yet, Dan observed, that principle often gets lost amid the noise of promotions, quotas, and competition.
Too many companies celebrate “company culture” with slogans and meaningless perks, while employees quietly wonder whether they’re truly safe to speak out, offer suggestions, or be honest and vulnerable.
Real workplace culture, Dan explained, isn’t cosmetic; it’s relational. When leaders are authentic, their people respond with trust. And when people trust their leaders, they don’t just meet expectations – they exceed them.
Developmental Leadership: Serving the Collective and Building a Legacy
Dan’s second pillar, developmental leadership, rests on two key ideas: serving the collective and building a legacy.
He urged leaders to put aside their egos for the good of the team and the organization – something that, he admitted, took him time to learn himself.
“Put aside your ego for the good of the team,” he said. “That’s where real leadership begins.”
True business leadership and team building, he explained, is about service – leading with empathy and humility. It’s also about legacy, identifying and developing the next generation of leaders who can carry forward the company’s mission and values.
Rather than guarding authority, great leaders pass the torch, empowering others to grow and lead with the same people-first mindset. That, he said, is how organizations build cultures that last and increase employee engagement.
Training: Teaching the What, the How, and Most Importantly, the Why
For Dan, the third pillar – training – is about more than skill-building. It’s about cultivating understanding and purpose.
He acknowledged that books, courses, and professional development programs are valuable resources. They teach us the what – the steps, systems, and technical skills we need to succeed. But where most organizations fall short, he said, is in teaching the how – and especially the why.
To make the point, Dan posed a question to the audience:
“Do you know why you do what you do at work?”
It’s a deceptively simple question that often stops people in their tracks. Understanding our “why,” he explained, is what gives meaning to our “what” and our “how.” It transforms work from an obligation to a purpose.
He was clear: profit isn’t the enemy. In fact, it’s essential. But when profit comes at the expense of people, that’s when organizations truly lose.
“What if our success,” he asked, “was measured not by our gross profit, but by how well we treat our people?”
He closed with a quote from Maya Angelou that captured the spirit of his talk:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
That sentiment, he said, is at the heart of executive leadership and training alike. Teaching others isn’t just imparting information. It’s about creating experiences that inspire, connect, and endure. It’s a reminder that real progress, whether personal or organizational, comes from the continuous effort to learn, adapt, and do better for one another.
The True Measure of Success
In “Why People Matter More Than Profits,” Dan Cuneo delivers more than a talk about business – he delivers a message about humanity. His words remind us that true business leadership isn’t found in spreadsheets or quarterly reports, but in the way we treat one another along the way.
Dan’s message challenges all of us – leaders, business owners, and professionals – to rethink what success really looks like. It’s not the size of the company or the profit margin that defines greatness; it’s the employee engagement, the strength of the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the positive impact we leave behind.
When companies put people first, something powerful happens. Teams work harder, collaborate more effectively, and find deeper meaning in what they do. Customers and clients feel seen and valued. Business leaders gain not only respect but also loyalty. Profit becomes the result of doing what’s right, not the reason for doing it.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do as family lawyers. Whether we’re guiding a client through a difficult divorce or mentoring our own team members, we believe that people come before profits – always. We are proud to see our Chief Operating Officer, Dan Cuneo, leading by example and reminding us all that empathy, trust, and courage are the real foundations of lasting success.
About Dan Cuneo
Dan Cuneo, Esq. serves as Chief Operating Officer of Melone Hatley P.C., an award-winning family law practice, bringing over 20 years of legal and executive leadership to the firm. His career spans the courtroom, boardroom, and business development, giving him a uniquely comprehensive perspective on both legal practice and firm operations. Renowned for his executive perspective, he speaks on family law, leadership, and organizational culture, engaging audiences at conferences and in media appearances nationwide. You can view Dan’s TEDx Bayshore Blvd talk here.
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