Carol Kauffman, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Harvard, where she is the founder of the Institute of Coaching and a visiting professor at Henley Business School. Carol is also a senior advisor at Egon Zehnder, a global search and leadership firm. She is globally known as one of the top leaders in the field of coaching, with over 40,000 hours of client contact. Carol works with C-level leaders to create the impact they want and to develop high-trust, high-performing teams. Marshall Goldsmith named Carol the number one leadership coach in the world, and Thinker’s 50 shortlisted her as one of the top eight coaches, for her contribution as a world-renowned thought leader and coach.
In this week’s episode, Dr. Paige Williams chats with Associate Professor Carol Kauffman, who shares her insights into how leaders can more effectively build bridges of connection with their people.
Connect with Carol Kauffman:

You’ll Learn:
- [02:17] – Carol shares her favorite question to help build leadership capacity and impact
- [05:48] – Carol explains how we can overcome ego through a shift in perspective
- [09:14] – Carol suggests how we can shift to a more constructive leadership perspective
- [10:37] – Carol shares how to build bridges with people who are reluctant for connection
- [14:28] – Carol explains the risk of resilient leaders missing compassion
- [17:18] – Carol explains a technique to build bridges in feedback conversations
- [20:08] – Carol shares a guiding principle to use when ‘coaching up’
- [28:35] – Carol enters the lightning round…
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.
Please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!
You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.
Until next time, take care! Thank you, Carol!


Free Leaders Survey Tool
Take our free five minute survey to minimize psychosocial risks and build on psychological safety
Learn More
Wellbeing Survey For Youth
Our free PERMAH Wellbeing Survey Tool For Youth is now available.
Learn More
Wellbeing Survey For Kids
Our FREE PERMAH Survey tool for Kids under 12 is now available.
Learn More
PODCAST
Listen to the world’s leading positive psychology researchers and practitioners as they share their insights on our top-rated podcast.
Listen Now
WELLBEING PROGRAM
Do you want to help boost people’s wellbeing, resilience & performance? Then join us for the next round of Certificate In Creating Wellbeing.
Learn MoreRelated Podcasts:
- Making Positive Psychology Work - Afterparty
Podcast with Chelle, Paige and Michelle
- Can You Unlock The Leader Within?
Podcast with Halla Tómasdóttir
- Could You Be A Positively Energizing Leader?
Podcast with Kim Cameron