Kristoffer Carter, commonly referred to as “KC,” is the visionary founder and CEO of Epic Leadership, a coaching organization dedicated to fostering conscious leadership. He has been instrumental in establishing a daily meditation routine that has benefited thousands of individuals. KC is the author of the recently published book Permission to Glow: A Spiritual Guide to Epic Leadership, which plays a pivotal role in his coaching work with Fortune 100 executives at major corporations including Amazon, AT&T, eXp Realty, Edward Jones, and many others. Additionally, KC is a talented songwriter, a TEDx speaker, and leads international retreats. He resides in Akron, Ohio, alongside his wife of 23 years and their three children.
The most effective leaders nurture their team’s wellbeing by…
offering an inspiring vision and empowering their teams to channel their creativity in finding the pathway to achieve it.
I characterize an exceptional organizational culture as one that…
acknowledges and celebrates behaviors that prioritize the collective good over mere leadership agendas or Wall Street demands. Everyone is invited to show their true selves at work, leading to shared benefits.
A daily practice I commit to is…
meditation. I find that everything improves and expands when we allow our soul’s voice to be heard.
I would describe my energy as…
a blend of a few days spent in silent meditation retreat, followed by the vibrant opening dance performance of the 1988 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship.
I feel the most alive when…
operating at the absolute edge of my abilities, where failure seems like a real possibility. It compels me to immerse myself fully in the moment and notice all that is expressed and left unexpressed.
A transformative book for me was…
Autobiography of a Yogi written by Paramahansa Yogananda
My all-time favorite quote is…
“Softer than the flower, where kindness is concerned; stronger than the thunder, where principles are at stake.” —Paramahansa Yogananda, speaking of his guru Sri Yukteswar
To minimize distractions, I…
turn off all notifications. During the writing process of a book, I restrict access to all social media platforms using an application on [a Mac] called SelfControl.
I manage negativity by…
[acknowledging it.] This year, we lost the revered monk and teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. His perspective on handling anger has left a lasting impression on me. I recognize the negativity, assign it a name, and accept its existence, understanding that as a human, it’s important for me to experience it. “Mock the Devil, and he will flee from thee!” —Edward di Bono
One challenging yet rewarding task for me is…
delivering straightforward feedback to a powerful client. Often, they lack someone willing to reflect their observations honestly. This is the primary responsibility of a coach.
I aspire for others to remember me as…
someone who is unafraid to dive deep to facilitate meaningful, enduring change, all while making the journey enjoyable.
In a decade, I hope to…
have released a follow-up series of four books to Permission to Glow, contributing to the dismantling of outdated command-and-control paradigms within organizations.
I define success as…
being consciously engaged in your grand, ongoing dream. It embodies a sense of awe and appreciation for the life one gets to experience. That is the dragon that many of us pursue.
