Karin Hurt author photo

Karin Hurt

Karin Hurt is an award-winning leadership expert and founder-CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders who writes on workplace communication, courageous cultures, and practical management. A former Verizon Wireless executive, she coauthored books including Winning Well, Courageous Cultures, and Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict, and has helped develop tens of thousands of leaders worldwide. ((https://letsgrowleaders.com/biographies/))

Biography & Author's Journey

Karin Hurt’s documented background centers on education and executive experience rather than a heavily publicized early-life narrative. She earned a BA in Communication from Wake Forest University, an MA in Organizational Communication from Towson University, and completed additional graduate work at the University of Maryland, where she later taught in MBA and executive education programs. Before becoming known as an author and leadership advisor, she spent more than two decades at Verizon Wireless in sales, customer service, and human resources. Official bios credit her with developing a national sales team responsible for $1.5 billion in revenue and helping transform a customer-service outsourcing operation that grew to 8 million calls a month. A notable career turning point came when a senior leader urged her to move beyond HR into field assignments, leading her into B2B call-center leadership and later responsibility for a 2,200-person retail sales organization. ((https://letsgrowleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/karinhurt_One_Sheet.pdf))

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Quotes

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One of the best ways to improve your leadership is to reflect on how it feels to be led
-Try This Powerful, Simple Technique to Improve Your Leadership
quote
People need to have a realistic assessment of how they’re doing so they can grow and develop professionally
-Growing Leaders Who are Confident, Skilled and Human-Centered
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But under stress and pressure, I was afraid to be authentic. I thought no one would want to follow the real me
-How I Learned the Importance of Being an Authentic Leader
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Of course, leadership is not about being liked. But it sucks to go to work every day when you know your team would rather be working for someone else
-How Do I Gain Respect When My Team Doesn’t Like Me?
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If you want your team to trust you, trust them to trust you
-How Do I Get My Team to Trust Me?
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As a leader of a large team, you’ve got to scale your leadership by creating a solid operating infrastructure and processes that work without a charismatic cheerleader pushing them along
-How to Scale Your Leadership for Bigger Influence and Results
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“Don’t bring me a problem without a solution” is the fastest way to get your team to stop bringing you problems
-The Surprising Reason Emerging Leaders Stop Emerging
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But as I grew into executive roles, it became clear that the most important research skills I learned during that time were the ethnography skills of the anthropologists
-5 Ways Listening Like an Anthropologist Will Make You a Better Leader
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You wouldn’t have wished for this ridiculous, unprecedented disruption
-How To Disrupt the Disruption and Help Your Team Move Forward
quote
It’s often our most klutsy moves that teach us how to Win Well
-Teachable Moments: Learning to Win Well the Hard Way

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Sharpen Communication Skills

Sharpen Communication Skills

LEARNING PLAN

Sharpen Communication Skills

Effective communication is the cornerstone of professional success and personal fulfillment. This plan is designed for anyone looking to transition from passive speaking to influential leadership through empathy and narrative mastery.

2 h 19 m4 Sections
Biz, Marketing, Leadership & Relationships

Biz, Marketing, Leadership & Relationships

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Biz, Marketing, Leadership & Relationships

In today's competitive landscape, technical skill alone isn't enough; success requires a blend of strategic marketing, leadership, and interpersonal mastery. This plan is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and managers who want to scale their impact by balancing business systems with human-centric leadership.

3 h 24 m4 Sections
Holistic Growth & Human Connection Skills

Holistic Growth & Human Connection Skills

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Holistic Growth & Human Connection Skills

In an increasingly digital world, the ability to foster genuine human connection is a critical competitive advantage for personal and professional success. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and individuals seeking to deepen their relationships through emotional intelligence and authentic communication.

2 h 33 m4 Sections
Growth, Business, Culture & Human Connection

Growth, Business, Culture & Human Connection

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Growth, Business, Culture & Human Connection

In an era where technology often dominates, this plan bridges the gap between technical business scaling and the essential human elements of leadership. It is designed for ambitious founders and executives who want to grow their companies without sacrificing culture or connection.

3 h 35 m4 Sections
Live, Love, Lead

Live, Love, Lead

LEARNING PLAN

Live, Love, Lead

This learning plan is essential for anyone feeling disconnected from themselves or struggling to create meaningful impact in their relationships and work. It's particularly valuable for emerging leaders, professionals seeking deeper fulfillment, and individuals ready to move beyond surface-level interactions to build authentic connections and influence. By addressing the interconnected foundations of personal authenticity, relational depth, and values-based leadership, this plan equips learners with the complete toolkit for a purposeful, connected life.

1 h 57 m4 Sections
Communicate like a leader

Communicate like a leader

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Communicate like a leader

Effective communication is the cornerstone of leadership impact—yet most professionals never receive formal training in the skills that separate good leaders from great ones. This learning plan is essential for managers, executives, and aspiring leaders who want to influence without authority, build stronger relationships, and elevate their professional presence in high-stakes situations.

2 h 18 m4 Sections
Broad Personal & Professional Growth Topics

Broad Personal & Professional Growth Topics

LEARNING PLAN

Broad Personal & Professional Growth Topics

This comprehensive curriculum bridges the gap between personal self-mastery and high-level organizational leadership. It is designed for ambitious professionals and emerging leaders who want to master the interpersonal and strategic skills necessary for breakthrough career success.

2 h 50 m4 Sections
Lead through better comms

Lead through better comms

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Lead through better comms

Effective communication is the cornerstone of exceptional leadership, yet many leaders struggle to inspire, influence, and navigate difficult conversations. This learning plan is designed for managers, directors, and emerging executives who want to elevate their leadership impact through strategic communication skills that build trust, drive alignment, and create lasting organizational change.

2 h 3 m4 Sections

Community Voices

"Karin Hurt is a former Verizon Wireless executive, an accomplished author, and an international keynote speaker"

Marcel Schwantes

"Courageous Cultures, by Karin Hurt and David Dye, will teach you how to cast that spell"

Kevin Kruse

"Conflict happens-and Karin Hurt and David Dye want you to be prepared"

Ken Blanchard

"Karin Hurt and David Dye give you the tools you need to improve business performance without sacrificing your humanity"

Marshall Goldsmith

"Mastering conflict is a disruptor's superpower, and Karin Hurt and David Dye are your guides as to how"

Whitney Johnson

"Karin Hurt and David Dye masterfully unearth an invaluable competitive advantage for any company"

Eric George

"Karin Hurt and David Dye's new book beautifully provides what is missing in virtually all books on conflict management"

Ralph H. Kilmann

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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254
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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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12
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@Raaaaaachelw
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star
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@Matt, YC alum
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12
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