Kathy Caprino, M.A. is an international career and leadership coach, writer, speaker and executive trainer helping professional women advance, thrive and reach their highest, most rewarding potential. A LinkedIn “Top Voice” and former corporate VP, she is also a trained therapist, seasoned executive coach, Senior Forbes contributor, sought-after media source on career issues, and the author of two books including her latest, The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss, now offered as a training course for individuals and organizations. With her acclaimed Finding Brave podcast, books, assessments, coaching programs, courses and other key resources, Kathy’s been named a Top 10 Career Coach for women and Leadership Voice in the U.S. and globally. For more information, visit kathycaprino.com, findingbrave.org and follow Kathy on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up in upstate New York, USA and had a full and joyful early life, with meaningful and enjoyable opportunities to grow, for which I’m very grateful. I was interested early on in reading, studying and writing, and also excelled in competitive tennis as well as in the performing arts and singing (I’m a vocalist and performed in exciting venues in New York City in my 20’s and I perform regularly today). I also had a keen interest in writing and interviewing interesting people and contributed to my high school newspaper. I had a core passion for understanding people at a deeper level and learning what makes them “tick.” This led me to pursue studying English Literature and psychology in college and studying in London abroad for a year to further explore English literature. Speaking about challenges, one key challenge that has shaped me throughout my life and had a powerful impact was a a difficulty in speaking up for myself, challenging others when there was unfair behavior, and setting healthy boundaries for myself. This stemmed from my experiences in childhood and led me in later life to pursue steps to overcome this challenge and help others do the same. After my 18-year corporate life, I became a therapist then a career and leadership coach, writer, podcaster and speaker.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
The impetus behind my business emerged slowly – about after a month after I got laid off from my corporate role as Vice President, in the days following the tragedies of 9/11. During the 18 years of my corporate life, some of that time was fulfilling and enjoyable – I worked in publishing, market research, marketing, product development and product management – but in the last few years, I faced serious challenges that turned into full-blown crises, including sexual harassment, gender bias and discrimination, toxic colleagues, narcissistic bosses, chronic illness zero work-life balance, and a terrible chronic feeling of dread about not doing work that I felt had a positive contributive value in the world.
After being laid off in a way that I felt wasn’t fair, I snapped and said “ENOUGH!” (thanks to a powerful conversation I had with my therapist at the time). I decided right then to transform my career, and I embarked on a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and after three years of study, became a therapist and began training to become a coach as well. I co-launched a therapy practice and while it was very rewarding, I sensed that coaching was the right field for me. After serving for several years as career coach and leadership, a launched my coaching firm, Kathy Caprino LLC. And I was committed to producing and sharing as many helpful career resources and programs for women as possible.
The key motivation behind my “YES! GO FOR IT” decision was that I felt I’d found my calling through coaching (with a therapeutic lens) –helping professional women rise above (and heal beyond) the damaging challenges I had faced, and to help them thrive in their careers and make the positive impact they dreamed of. I often say that starting my own venture and beginning to write, speak and train was a potent way to fulfil my fervent desire to “turn my mess (and learnings) into a helpful message” for thousands of women around the world.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
There are many changes and shifts I dream to see in the world, including that we all pull together in a focused way and embrace a more inclusive, accepting, loving, and compassionate way of being and communicating with each other. Certainly, we can still be brave, strong and resolute in our leadership, but I’m hoping we’ll do that while exhibiting more connection to our spirits and our compassion and openness for all.
In terms of my core work right now, the change I’d love to see is for women in the workforce to be able to step up more fully and bravely into their full leadership, and make a brave positive difference in every organization and work culture of which they are a part.
From my vantage point, this would require that many more women have access to the tools and support necessary to address and close what my research has revealed are the 7 most damaging power and confidence gaps (https://kathycaprino.com/2018/11/7-crippling-power-gaps-that-keep-women-from-reaching-their-highest-potential/) that negatively impact a staggering 98% of professional women today, keeping them from reaching their highest and most rewarding potential, or doing work they love and are proud of.
In my research, I’ve seen that 75% of the women studied are experiencing 3 or more of these gaps at the same time, and when we struggle with numerous gaps, we simply cannot thrive in our work and careers. This is what my latest book The Most Powerful You (https://www.amazon.com/Most-Powerful-You-Bravery-Boosting-Career/dp/1400217482) covers, as well as my training program The Most Powerful You (https://mostpowerfulyou.com/videotraining.)
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I’ve seen huge strides being made among women in leadership today (and certainly since I was a corporate Vice President back in 1999-2001) and also among many male leaders who are actively supporting women’s success, growth and access to leadership roles and endeavors. That said, there is a great deal of progress yet to be made.
For example, in the US, as of June 2024, still only 10.4% of Fortune 500 companies are led (at the CEO level) by women. (See https://fortune.com/2024/06/04/fortune-500-companies-women-ceos-2024/).
This is a shockingly small number and until we see growth for women at top leadership levels, there is much more work to be done by all of us. The key question we all have to continually ask and address is “Why is this taking so terribly long and what specific steps do all organizations, hiring managers, executives, board members and others need to take to ensure gender and pay parity are achieved in the global workforce?”
I’ve explored some of the key questions and issues through interviews with top experts in the field, via my Finding Brave podcast (findingbrave.org), but the answers are complex and multifaceted and we need a wide range of new strategies and solutions to be implemented. But we mustn’t give up or let our discouragement stop us.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
The most important learning I’ve had is this that I just posted on my LinkedIn page today – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7220768037262553088/
I spent years not being true to myself or believing fully in myself or my capabilities, and it’s a painful way to live. But finally doing what’s required to be more true and authentically ourselves, we help others do the same. And the world becomes more open. Taking the “finding brave” path to yourself is not easy, but it’s so life-affirming and worthwhile.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Dreams can come true – but not magically! To achieve your visions, you need to recognize in yourself and close the 7 damaging power and confidence gaps, and consistently, committedly put in the dedication, time and work to bring about your goals. It’s very helpful to embrace the 7 Brave Pathways to Career Bliss, which are:
Brave Sight
Brave Speak
Brave Ask
Brave Connection
Brave Challenge
Brave Service
Brave Healing
All along that way, you may need to pivot, regroup, re-evaluate or even perhaps start over. That’s the journey of growth and we can’t see too far down the “chain of destiny” at any given time. It takes learning, stretching and applying yourself fully to reach what you believe is your ultimate destination (and that often changes as you do).
Finally, we need the help of others. We simply can’t achieve our biggest dreams alone or in a vacuum. Make sure you’re connecting regularly with amazing mentors, sponsors and “ambassadors” who can help open doors for you that you can’t open on your own, and give you helpful support and input.
And if you want to make a big impact, understand that the shortest path to that is the “finding brave” path.
You can do it!
