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Devin: What is your superpower?
President Francesco: Humble listening.
Most leaders spend years preparing for their turn at the helm. For Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo, the transition to leadership happened in just two weeks. When the prior president resigned unexpectedly, Francesco was appointed and immediately thrust into one of the most demanding leadership roles in the world, overseeing 1.2 million members in 45,000 clubs globally.
While the circumstances of his appointment were extraordinary, Francesco’s lifelong commitment to Rotary has prepared him for the challenges ahead. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “I was appointed on Saturday evening, and on Tuesday, very early in the morning, I was on a plane to Calgary to begin this new adventure. Everything was so quick, so fast that I didn’t have any time to realize what was happening.”
Francesco’s Rotary story began 36 years ago when he joined the club in his hometown after returning from university. At first, he attended meetings but didn’t fully grasp the depth of Rotary’s mission. Everything changed when he began working on a project to provide hot meals for people in need. “Rotary is not to have a meeting to attend every one or two weeks,” he explained. “Rotary is something that involves all your life… You can do a lot for others, not only in your community but through Rotary all over the world.”
One of Rotary’s most significant efforts, which Francesco calls its most inspiring, is the eradication of polio. Over 35 years, Rotary has partnered with organizations like the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reduce annual polio cases from over 300,000 to just 35 in 2023. Francesco noted, “It is so rewarding to know that because of us, a lot of people are healthy and free from polio.”
Francesco’s leadership journey is a testament to the power of service and adaptability. His story reminds us that even when life takes unexpected turns, embracing the opportunity to serve can create extraordinary impact.
tl;dr:
Rotary’s new president, Francesco Arezzo, was appointed with just two weeks to prepare.
Francesco reflects on his Rotary journey, starting as an attendee and becoming a lifelong advocate.
He highlights the impact of Rotary’s polio eradication efforts, calling it their most rewarding work.
Francesco describes his superpower as humble listening, inspired by recognizing his own limitations.
His year as president will focus on empowering Rotarians worldwide to achieve their dreams.
How to Develop Humble Listening As a Superpower
Francesco defines his superpower as the humility to recognize his limitations and listen to others. Drawing inspiration from Socrates, he explained, “I know that I don’t have any superpower. Because I don’t have any superpower, I have to listen very carefully to others… I am not the owner of all the truth.” This humility allows Francesco to approach problems collaboratively, valuing the diverse perspectives of those around him.
Illustrative Story:
Francesco shared a story about organizing a meeting in his hometown of Ragusa. Initially, he planned to exclude a smaller organization from the collaboration, believing their contribution would be unnecessary. However, after meeting with a colleague who highlighted the expertise and dedication of the smaller group, Francesco reconsidered. Including them turned out to be essential. Their knowledge made the event far more successful than it could have been otherwise. This experience reinforced his belief that listening, even to seemingly less significant voices, can lead to better outcomes.
Tips for Developing Humble Listening:
Acknowledge Your Limitations: Recognize that you don’t possess all the answers.
Invite Diverse Perspectives: Seek input from others, even those with less apparent influence or expertise.
Delay Decisions: Take time to reflect before acting on your initial assumptions.
Focus on Collective Success: Prioritize what benefits the group or mission, even if it conflicts with personal preferences.
By following Francesco’s example and advice, you can make humble listening a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Juan Pablo Guzman (he/him):
CEO / Co-Founder, Artisan Tropic
About Artisan Tropic: At Artisan Tropic, we’re a family-owned business dedicated to making nourishing foods that taste great and do good. Inspired by our family’s Colombian heritage, we craft all of our products with high-quality, better-for-you ingredients and planet-friendly practices.
Website: artisantropic.com
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/Artisantropic
Instagram Handle: @artisantropic
Other URL: wefunder.com/artisantropic
Biographical Information: Prior to founding and working with Artisan Tropic, I played professional football for 12 years, and it was a real joy, a gift and blessing to be able to do that for so long as a job and career. Football gave me in memories, friendships, and experiences what I could never have learned and acquired anywhere else, and for that I’m forever thankful!
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/juanpguzman
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If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Superpowers for Good Live Pitch applications due by November 17. Apply to pitch at the Superpowers for Good live event on December 11, 2025. This is your chance to spark campaign momentum and present to expert investors who frequently invest in our winners. Applicants must have an active Regulation Crowdfunding offering live when applying that will still be live on the event date. Apply by November 17, 2025.
SuperCrowdHour, November 19, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern — Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on “Investing with a Self-Directed IRA.” In this session, Devin will explain how investors can use self-directed IRAs to participate in regulated investment crowdfunding while managing taxes and optimizing returns. He’ll break down when this strategy makes sense, how to choose the right custodian, and what fees, rules, and risks to watch for. With his trademark clarity and real-world experience, Devin will help you understand how to balance simplicity with smart tax planning—so you can invest confidently, align your portfolio with your values, and make your money work harder for both impact and income.
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