Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Jorge Titinger | Founder and CEO of Titinger Consulting

Jorge Titinger is the Founder of Titinger Consulting and a mentor for several CEOs. He is a strategic advisor and an LX Council Certified Licensed Partner. He serves as a board member these days. He is a person who started with a dream to be a professional soccer player but changed career paths to become the person he is today. He is also an electrical engineer who has had considerable experience in the semiconductor industry. He has been helping companies achieve success through his consulting prowess. He believes that anyone can learn to be a good leader and education has no end. If your values align with your goals then success is inevitable.

Blue Ocean: Tell us about your professional life. What inspired you to focus on leadership consulting and strategies to align culture with results?

Jorge: My career has been quite a crooked path. I started as a soccer player and intended to be a professional but could not due to bad circumstances. I majored in electrical engineering as an undergraduate and then in philosophy. I also got a master’s in computer science which got me into the industry. I worked for some time in the semiconductor industry and then the high-performance computing industry. So basically, I have two distinct industries in which to work. I have been a CEO for 15 years of my career before I retired from that position in 2016. After that, I have mostly been involved in coaching and helping C-level executives. What I do today mostly is serve on corporate boards and help executives.

Blue Ocean: What does a typical day look like for you as a strategist, leadership consultant, and CEO of Titinger Consulting?

Jorge: I do not have a job per se and so every day varies. But I do go to the office sometimes and maybe it is easier to answer what a typical week is for me rather than a day. I spend most of my time in conversations with clients focusing on the strategy that might help them accomplish their goals. Another portion of my time is spent on trying to develop these strategies into executable metrics the other is spent on educating myself. I believe that learning is a gift, especially since I have four degrees. I have been trying to educate myself in various things since I was in college and that practice still goes on every day. And the rest of the time is spent on networking and connecting. I believe that connections are an important resource and I travel a lot trying to make connections.

Blue Ocean: What trends in leadership consulting and peer advisory services are you most excited about, especially in dynamic sectors like tech and business transformation?

Jorge: I have seen a lot of companies executing strategies that end up in epic successes and that is quite exciting. I have worked in entrepreneurship since the beginning of my career and there have been quite a few companies that were keen on acquisition. We have helped them by funding and eventually getting better and being successful.

A lot of companies are on the rise now and executing a business plan is not the same as building one. I have seen companies go through stages of growth. From startups to scale-up to delegation to professionalism is a great journey. I feel lucky that I have had the opportunity to mentor entrepreneurs and accelerate their journey to success as well.

Blue Ocean: You’ve built a reputation for fostering innovation and effective leadership teams. How have you and your organizations differentiated yourselves in a competitive consulting landscape?

Jorge: I had a very good career in Silicon Valley in the world of technology. My initial engagements in consulting were through referrals and word of mouth. From there, we grew to have partners sign agreements and work collaboratively. I had started as a sales executive and probably made more mistakes than everybody else, but that is what my experience is built on. So a lot of my own understanding is based on tried and true methodologies and I understand when people explain their goals to me. My experience in soccer as a career brought a lot of knowledge to the table as well. It might not be direct but the knowledge on the field channeled through my leadership and I applied it in businesses. All of this has impacted my growth in building an organization that is not a knock-off but a true team of its own.

Blue Ocean: In your experience with LXCouncil and consulting, what unique value do you bring to CEOs and business owners looking to maximize their potential?

Jorge: As companies evolve and CEOs climb the corporate ladder, it is more important to have EQ than IQ. Versatility and style is one of the key traits of CEOs. But as the company grows, you deal with different kinds of people, and communication styles become different as well. The more you adapt to changes, the more your chances at success. Which is why it is important to know about the workplace culture. There is a quote by Peter Drucker that says “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” and I completely agree. So it is important to learn the metrics that can lead to a successful organization. And your culture needs to be aligned with your values. And if you can learn and evolve, everyone has the potential to be a good leader.

Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to your younger self when you were starting your career in leadership and culture consulting?

Jorge: The advice I often give my younger self and one I still remind myself of—is to think of life holistically. People often talk about work-life balance, I really don’t like the word balance because to me balance implies that something gets worse for something else to get better so I much prefer the word harmony. Life is one cohesive experience; some of that time is spent working, and some isn’t, but it all matters equally.

One of the things I wish I had adopted earlier was prioritizing harmony in my life. And as I mentioned, I do spend some of my time on leisure because I think it’s so important to recharge. And I’ve seen many very hardworking young and older executives burn out. It’s not a good outcome, so I try to encourage people to make sure that they are spending time on their own health, leisure, and mindfulness. It’s simply not sustainable to keep going without addressing your mental and physical well-being.

For me, martial arts played a significant role in shaping this perspective. I practiced Karate for 17 years, training nearly every day. While at Stanford, I even trained with a Capoeira master for a few years, which added a unique dimension to my practice.

Looking back, I wish I had dedicated more time to these practices earlier in my career, rather than focusing solely on work. It’s so helpful to be able to sit, meditate, and breathe and most people don’t do that. So, my advice for my younger self is to do more of what you preach now. And I’m still trying to be better every day.

Blue Ocean: With such a high-profile role, what is something you are most grateful for, either professionally or personally?

Jorge: That’s a tough question because it’s hard to pick just one thing. But when I reflect on what enables me to be who I am, it’s the people around me—the relationships I’ve built over the years.

I often talk about the importance of networks and the different kinds of networks we should cultivate. One of the most crucial ones, which I call the “network of love,” includes close friends and loved ones who walk through life with you. These are the people who support you but also hold you accountable. They’re the ones who aren’t afraid to call you out when you’re heading in the wrong direction, whether personally or professionally.

I’m incredibly grateful for having people like that in my life – those who, at key moments, have said, “Hey, time out. You need to turn left, you need to turn right, you need to refocus, whatever it might be.” So, I’m grateful for having had that throughout my life. I developed great friendships over my lifetime- people I can call my close friends. And to have the ability to take their advice because some people get great advice but they don’t accept it. So thankfully I was able to accept it.

My background in sports played a big role in shaping this mindset. I played soccer on organized teams from a young age, and having coaches was a constant in my life. The rule was simple: if you didn’t listen to your coach, you didn’t play.

I don’t necessarily call these folks in my network of love, my coaches, but it’s kind of the same thing, they would give me advice to improve and I was able to listen to that not as a criticism, but as a good advice to improve. So I was able to take that advice and apply it. But I consider myself very lucky to have had those relationships in my life.

Blue Ocean: When you’re not mentoring leaders or strategizing solutions, what hobbies or interests bring you fulfillment & harmony in life?

Jorge: Beyond soccer, martial arts, and cooking, I have a variety of interests that keep life exciting. I live on a golf course, and my wife is an avid golfer. So, we spend a lot of time on our vacations going to places where there’s golf. I love to scuba dive, whenever we go somewhere, ideally, there’s someplace to do that. It’s an incredible experience that adds a sense of adventure to our trips.

My wife and I are very active and love playing and watching sports. She’s an accomplished athlete, which makes it even more enjoyable to share these activities.

We also love traveling and experiencing different cultures. A big part of that for us is exploring local cuisines. Speaking of food, I’m particularly proud of my Peruvian heritage. Peruvian cuisine has been recognized as the best in the world for 10 years in a row, and I’m deeply connected to it. Many years ago, I “kidnapped” my grandmother and asked her to teach me how to cook traditional Peruvian dishes. It’s something I love doing, and from the feedback I’ve received, either people genuinely enjoy it, or they’re lying!

Blue Ocean: What sources of happiness and inspiration drive you, especially when managing the challenges of guiding CEOs and teams to success?

Jorge: For me, my initial sources of motivation were my parents. I grew up in South America in a home where hard work, resilience, and a deep appreciation for education and philanthropy were ingrained in us. My father was a successful businessman, and my mother, who is still alive at 92, was a remarkable trailblazer. She pursued her vocation to become a medical doctor at a time when women were not expected—or encouraged—to work, let alone enter such a demanding profession.

Her journey was extraordinary; my grandfather didn’t support her ambition to be a doctor, as he wanted her to marry instead. She became a TV and radio actress to fund her medical education. That kind of determination and dedication left a lasting impression on me and my siblings. For us, striving to be our best—whether in academics or life—was not a question but an expectation.

When I stepped out into the world on my own, I found other sources of inspiration—what I call “idols.” In sports, for example, I admired legends like Pelé. I was fortunate to play against him when I was eight years old and later against Maradona while representing my national team. I said why were they so successful, and how did they get to where they got? To me, excellence and the pursuit of excellence were always an inspiration. When I work with younger CEOs and entrepreneurs, I try to convey that same thought- which companies do you admire, why do you admire them and which executives do you admire, but at the same time don’t get caught up in the Hollywood version of the world.

This mindset connects to one of my passions, golf. Golf teaches you that no matter how good a round is, there’s always room for improvement. And so yeah, for me improvement, more achievement has been an inspiration and at the same time having the peace of mind to accept your limitations. Right? I advocate for understanding your potential, setting realistic goals, and striving to be the best version of yourself.

When I work with my children or the CEOs I mentor, my message is consistent: it’s not about perfection but about doing your personal best. Only you know how good that can be. Self-reflection and self-awareness are key to this journey, and everyone’s path to improvement is uniquely their own.

Blue Ocean: Is there a quote or philosophy that has guided you throughout your career and personal journey?

Jorge: That’s such an interesting question, and it’s a great moment for reflection. If I had to sum up my guiding principle—a kind of north star—it would be simple: always do the right thing.

In both business and life, there are moments when the easy choice isn’t necessarily the right one. It can be so tempting to take the easier path, especially when it feels like a shortcut or less of a challenge. But whenever I find myself at that kind of crossroads, I ask myself: Is this the right thing to do? And here’s something that’s always stuck with me—if I had to explain this choice to my dad, would he be proud of me?

That thought has been a litmus test for me. It might sound old-fashioned or sentimental, but it’s deeply personal. It’s a way of holding myself accountable to a standard I respect. Living a life I can be proud of—one rooted in integrity—has always been important to me.

And honestly, it’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what the “right” decision is, and other times, the right choice comes with more obstacles. But looking back, those harder paths have often led to the most meaningful successes and relationships in my life.

Conclusion

Jorge Titinger, from chasing a dream on the soccer field, found himself drawn to the world of business and leadership. This journey, accompanied by both wins and lessons, has shaped him into the insightful consultant he is today. He also understands that success isn’t just about numbers and strategies; it’s about nurturing strong relationships, fostering a supportive environment, and helping individuals reach their full potential. He inspires others to keep learning, to find joy in personal growth, and to always strive for integrity in their actions.