Episode 259: Inner Strength and Navigating International Business Safety with Jose Pereira

Disruptive CEO Nation

Jose Pereira, a renowned leader and former CEO of Citgo Petroleum, exemplifies resilience and leadership, especially highlighted through his harrowing experience as one of the Citgo Six who were wrongfully detained and held hostage by the Venezuelan government from 2017 to 2022.

During his unjust imprisonment, Pereira's perspective on resilience evolved profoundly, leading him to become a motivational speaker and author. He also is now a champion for raising awareness on kidnapping and hostage situations not only for the business person, but for their family members who are with them.

In his book From Hero to Villain: True Story of the Citgo Six and through his program "Life Pills for a Surviving Guide," he emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing physical and mental health to navigate challenges effectively. Pereira advocates for raising awareness about critical issues and sharing personal experiences, believing these actions can inspire others on their journeys towards resilience and effective leadership.

We loved getting to know Jose and hearing his story. Highlights included:

- Resilience is crucial in leadership positions, as highlighted by Jose Pereira's experience as a former CEO and hostage survivor.

- Kidnapping insurance is important for employee safety, but there is a gap in coverage for protecting employees' families in hostage situations.

- Accepting one's new reality is essential when facing unexpected challenges because the faster you can accept that a situation has changed the faster you can forge a path for the next steps.

- Finding purpose and meaning in suffering can help individuals overcome hardship and access inner strength.

- His work to bring back other individuals who are political hostages wrongfully detained through the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.

- Today, Jose enjoys working with CEOs and sharing his story from the stage.

Jose Pereira, is a former oil company executive with thirty-five years of experience and the former CEO of Citgo Petroleum, endured 1,775 days of unjust captivity in Venezuela as part of the CITGO6, a group of six Americans employed by Citgo. His wrongful detention, solely based on his American nationality, lasted from November 21, 2017, to October 1, 2022.

Jose walks the walk and talks the talk as a true survivor. He implemented his unique Leadership and Resilience coaching technique to survive his 5 years of captivity, where he discovered that everyone has an inner force inside. He will make you unleash your unbreakable spirit to convert you into a Great Leader in your Business and in your life. Pereira's memoir offers a gripping account of the events leading to and during the CITGO6 imprisonment. He and his wife engaged in a daring act of smuggling letters to each other, reminiscent of Anne Frank's bravery during the Nazi regime, providing vital inspiration for his book. Their determination under duress adds depth to Pereira's narrative, transporting readers to his grim cell and eventual joy upon learning of his impending release.

Connect with Jose:

Website: https://joseconnect.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-angel-pereira/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

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