“When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills.”

Meet Daniele Cuminale, our dynamic partner at TreviSearch in Rome. He combines deep experience in business development with a balanced, people-centric approach to life and a zest for adventure. Clients love him for his ethical approach and ability to deploy strategic insight to find the perfect fit. A multi-specialist, his practice areas include the energy, industrial, manufacturing, aerospace and defence sectors. He is particularly interested in roles that require next-level negotiation skills.

Where were you born, and where do you live now?

I was born in Rome, where I spent most of my life and where I am still living, but I’ve had the pleasure of living in other beautiful cities: Milan, Florence and Madrid.

What did you study and why?

As a young and immature teen, I planned my path, thinking academic training would ensure fulfillment in a big corporation. I thought they were the ideal entities, strictly respecting procedures and processes, where hard work would lead directly to a brilliant career. So, I chose the perfect theoretical path: Management engineering, followed by an MBA. Inevitably, life taught me that soft skills eat hard skills for breakfast, a realisation that made me focus more on interpersonal skills such as communication, negotiation, leadership, persuasion, and emotional intelligence, which aligned more with who I am.

First job?

Category Manager at the biggest Italian aerospace and defence company. It was my first real exposure to the supremacy of soft skills. People from several organisations in the same holding company had gathered for the first time to pursue synergies, and the self-interest in the room was tangible! It was a significant change management experience heavily supported by a primary consulting company, that significantly influenced my professional approach to managing and inspiring teams.

First car?

A red BMW 318 – it was too much for a youngster, but it taught me responsibility, and surprisingly, I was prudent enough to survive the experience.

Current car?

A red Mini Countryman… Having a family has made me even more prudent! At least I kept the colour.

What’s the biggest surprise about your job?

Every day brings a new challenge, fresh inspiration and an opportunity to learn.

What is the biggest risk you ever took?

As my friends say, I left the comfortable sofa of a solid employment in a huge multinational company. But now I am enjoying every day a new dream: an unpredictable and amazing wave to surf in a boutique entrepreneur environment. And that was one of the best decisions I ever took. From a life-threatening perspective, my biggest risk was being forced to free solo climb with no protection for almost 100 metres after a rope got stuck while descending a mountain. I hope my mom never reads this!

What makes you feel better on a bad day?

Spending time with my children or mountain climbing. It’s even better when I can combine the two things!

My most redeeming quality is…

I always strive to put myself in the shoes of others, shaping win-win solutions.

I have learned to come to terms with…

My impulsiveness. Sport has helped me a lot with that.

What’s the thing that people are most surprised to learn about you?

The number of restaurants I have eaten at and those that I still plan to experience.

In the last month, what was the most interesting conversation you had?

A debate about where to find the best carbonara in Rome. It is a dilemma without a solution.

Last (or most loved) holiday?

Travelling from Rome to the Isle of Man on my motorbike to see the Tourist Trophy.

Best book you’ve read in the past year?

The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert B. Cialdini. Full of stimulating hints for everyday life.

What have you binge-watched recently?

I don’t do series, but I never miss a Roma’s soccer game.

Best gadget?

Marshall wireless headphones with noise cancellation. They guarantee a quiet trip even with crying children next to me.

How do you relax and unwind?

By planning my next trip – preferably something adventurous.

Charity/ cause closest to your heart?

Education has been a passion of mine ever since I took my first volunteer trips to India (where I covered 1,000km riding a rickshaw) and Colombia (which involved crossing the Amazon rainforest to reach remote villages).

I have a collection of…

Sand from the best beaches I have ever been to (where I was allowed to take it).

In my fridge, you will always find…

Italian wine.