Elyssa Pedote
Welcome to With Grace. This week, we feature Elyssa Pedote, Director of Talent at Greycroft. Elyssa began her career at Heidrick & Struggles, placing CEOs and Board Leaders for growth-stage companies. She later joined SoftBank as an early talent hire, helping scale executive leadership across the global portfolio, and spent time operating within energy investing. For the past four years, she has led Talent at Greycroft, partnering with founders and investors on executive hiring and firm-wide recruiting. A former Division I swimmer and Women’s Captain at the University of Pennsylvania, Elyssa brings uncommon discipline, human grace, and a sincere understanding of excellence to her work. Her perspective: “Authenticity is the key to any connection.
What’s something new you’re trying?
Knitting. But I’m not sure if it’s my calling :)
What’s a key quality or trait you believe is essential for leaders?
This is one of my favorite questions. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this and think there is not one “silver bullet” trait that makes someone successful, as I think there are several things that lead to success. However, I do think having relentless drive, resiliency, paired with humility, is a dangerous combination.
What motivates you to keep pushing forward in your work?
I love meeting new people, learning about their stories, and what motivates them. Nothing is more rewarding than making introductions and connections where there is a match in opportunity or interest.
What’s the best advice you’ve received, personally and professionally?
Professionally: It’s good to have a healthy sense of paranoia. Personally: When deciding whether to commit to something, ask yourself if you’d regret saying no.
What interview question do you always ask without fail?
Where do you need the most support to be successful? No matter what role you’re hiring for, no one is perfect, and a great candidate will be self-aware enough to have a laundry list of things they’re not great at. Flags are raised when someone struggles with this question in my eyes.
What’s something you had to learn firsthand to truly understand?
Authenticity is the key to any connection.
What’s your favorite way to spend a solo day?
I’ve lived this day recently, and it was incredible! I swam and biked, shopped, went to the spa for a scrub and massage, and concluded my day with takeout on the couch. It was pretty tough to beat.
What’s a daily ritual you swear by?
Moving every day. Ideally, that’s a swim, bike, or run, but even a brief walk outside in San Francisco keeps me sane.
