Description:
Beneath the Transaction reveals a powerful insight: meaningful change does not begin with strategy-it begins with conditions. When the right conditions exist, people grow, cultures shift, and communities' change.
Brief description: Chris Pineda PhD. is a leadership strategist, researcher, speaker, and founder of Groundwork Leadership. A Filipino-American raised between cultures, his work is deeply influenced by Asia-Pacific Indigenous wisdom and its emphasis on identity, community, and relational depth. With a PhD in Organizational Psychology and over a decade of experience spanning philanthropy, healthcare, business, nonprofit, and community development, his work centers on one question: what truly catalyzes lasting transformation?Through doctoral research and real-world application, he developed the 7 Conditions of Transformation(TM), a framework integrating modern psychology with enduring Indigenous principles. Chris has facilitated hundreds of workshops, coached executives and founders, and helped organizations move from transactional survival to transformational growth. He lives with his wife and children, committed to honoring his heritage and practicing the principles he teaches.
Review Quotes:
Real transformation requires intentionality. I've learned throughout my life that some- times the most subtle truths carry the greatest wisdom, and this book is full of them.
What makes it even more powerful is that it's written by someone who lives it. Chris is one of the most genuinely kind, humble, and thoughtful people I know. He doesn't just teach these principles, he embodies them. Whether you're a parent, leader, coach, or just someone who wants to become better and help others do the same, this will both challenge you and equip you. It's practical, deeply human, and it works.
-Colby Bauer, CEO and co-founder of Thread and Carry On
I have had the privilege of working alongside Chris in Hawaii, Oregon, and Wisconsin, and I have witnessed firsthand the kind of transformation he writes about on these pages. What moves me most is his reverence for Indigenous wisdom, not as a mere metaphor, but as foundation. As a Māori, I recognize in his work the enduring truths our ancestors carried: transformation begins in relationship, in the Vā, the sacred relational space between each of us, and in the sharing of HĀ, the breath of life that affirms our shared humanity. Chris challenges the transactional instincts of modern leadership and calls us back to something far older and more enduring. These are lived practices grounded in community and I am honored to endorse it.
-Seamus Fitzgerald, Ngāti Kahungunu-ki-Wairarapa; director of global corporate culture at dōTERRA International
I've read many leadership books over the years, but this one stayed with me. It doesn't simply discuss leading teams-it speaks to the courage required to build real trust. Navi- gating workplace relationships can be complex and, at times, isolating. This book helped me recognize that sustainable leadership is grounded in shared purpose, vulnerability, consistency, commitment, and a common language that aligns people beyond tasks. More importantly, it gave me permission to be vulnerable with my own team-and in doing so, to lead with greater authenticity and trust. It reminded me that trust isn't a byproduct of leadership, it is the foundation of it. This is the kind of book that invites you to lead differently-and better.
-Maria Lopez Vento, foundation executive
Through powerful storytelling and a practical framework for transformation, Beneath the Transaction challenges readers to move beyond surface-level change. If you're se- rious about strengthening teams, developing leaders, or rebuilding the social fabric of a community, this is a timely and usable guide. I highly recommend it!
-Brandon A. Wigley, JD, Bader Philanthropies, Inc.
Many organizations settle for transactional leadership and then wonder why trans- formation never arrives. In Beneath the Transaction, Chris exposes that gap with clarity and compassion. His invitation to move from the "handshake" to the "breath of life" mirrors what I have witnessed for decades: joy and purpose are born when we treat people as human beings, not functions. This book is not just about leadership-it is about reclaiming the sacred space between us. Read it slowly. Practice it intentionally. Transformation will follow.
-Richard Sheridan, CEO, founder, and chief storyteller at Menlo Innovations; author of Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love and Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear