The Power of Relational Strategy in a Transactional World
What “Ugly Betty” Taught Me About Leading with Care (and Getting Results)
When I’m venturing into new professional territory and I’m feeling unsure, out of place, or stretched thin, I find myself rewatching Ugly Betty.
There’s something comforting about watching Betty navigate a world that clearly wasn’t built with her in mind. She’s a visibly awkward, big-hearted Latina working as an executive assistant at a high-end fashion magazine.
She fumbles. She’s underestimated. She doesn’t fit the mold.
But she keeps showing up.
And when she wins, it’s not because she becomes more like everyone else.
It’s because she stays rooted in who she is.
There’s one episode that always sticks with me.
The Sandwich That Saved the Day
In Season 1, Episode 3, the magazine is scrambling to book a high-profile photographer, Vincent Bianchi. Everyone’s trying to woo him with big paychecks and industry clout.
But it’s Betty—who has no clout—who actually gets the job done.
How?
After learning that Vincent grew up just four blocks from her in Jackson Heights. Instead of leading with a pitch, she leads with connection. She sends him a sausage and pepper sandwich from their old neighborhood as an act of kindness and cultural memory.
And it works.
Not because she played the game better.
But because she didn’t play the game at all.
She brought humanity to a space that had forgotten it.
She led with care, and that made all the difference.
Why This Matters for Our Work
In a world obsessed with optimizing, scaling, and “closing the deal,” Betty’s approach feels radical.
It reminds me of what sets Galvan Consulting apart.
Relational strategy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s what sustains us.
When you partner with Galvan Consulting, you’re not getting a virtual assistant who just completes tasks.
You’re getting a collaborator who:
Sees your humanity
Understands the value of community
Prioritizes care alongside efficiency
Knows that a sausage sandwich (or some empanadas) can sometimes do more than a cold pitch ever could
We don’t just manage inboxes or set up systems—we build trust.
Because we know that when you're leading transformational work, how you do things is just as important as what you do.
What Relational Admin Support Looks Like in Practice
If you’ve never experienced relational operations support, here’s what it can look like:
✅ A calendar that reflects your capacity, not just your availability
✅ Emails that are filtered, triaged, and replied to in your voice and values
✅ Systems that make it easier for your clients, partners, and team to feel seen and held
✅ A second brain you can trust when things feel overwhelming
✅ Administrative support that doesn’t just get things done—but helps you do your work better
The Kind of Support You Deserve
You’re building something that will withstand the political and societal challenges we are facing.
But you don’t have to build it alone.
At Galvan Consulting, we believe that your operations should feel like an extension of your mission. That means leading with integrity.
Like Betty, we believe in honoring relationships over transactions.
And like you, we’re committed to showing up in ways that reflect care, community, and justice.
Because your business doesn’t (always) need a flashy pitch to succeed.
It needs a support system that’s rooted in who you are—and how you lead.
Want to explore what relational admin support could look like in your business?
We’re ready when you are. Let’s talk about how we can help you sustain your brilliance—without burning out.