Today, we are joined by an extraordinary woman who has written an extraordinary book!  Carole Robin was the Dorothy J. King Lecturer in Leadership at Stanford's Graduate School of Business where she helped to further develop the Interpersonal Dynamics Course including co-developing the Executive version. She also became the Director of the Arbuckle Leadership Fellows Program. Carole is known as the Queen of ‘Touchy Feely,’ and received the MBA Distinguished Teaching Award and the Silver Apple award for contributions to alumni programming. When she retired in 2017, a scholarship was established in her name.    In our conversation, Carole speaks about what makes an exceptional leader; key takeaways from her book, Connect; how to strengthen your interpersonal relationships; give (and receive) better feedback; why interpersonal skills are so incredibly important and impactful in all areas of your life (from your home to your workplace); and how you can take charge as a leader. Carole provides so many incredible insights in this episode that are not to be missed.   Key Takeaways: [:50] About today’s episode with Carole Robin! [2:00] Welcoming Carole to the podcast! [3:03] Carole shares her personal and professional journey, as well as one of the biggest epiphanies she ever had. [16:25] Bringing us to the present day, Carole speaks about starting up Leaders in Tech, a 1-year, all expenses paid program for leaders of high-growth tech companies. [18:46] How Carole and her collaborator, David Bradford, came together to write their book, Connect. [21:45] Carole explains her favorite acronym: AFOG (Another F*cking Opportunity Growth). [25:30] Carole shares the main mission and purpose that their book aims to address. [29:18] What to do if you really want to learn how to connect with somebody else. [32:30] The biggest takeaway that leaders can take away from Connect. [32:55] Why it is so hard to stand up for yourself and your team, why we experience bad outcomes, how to better receive feedback, and how to give more effective feedback. [37:27] Why are organizations not holding leaders accountable for giving and receiving feedback? What does it look like when organizations do work toward building a healthy culture? Why is feedback so incredibly beneficial to creating a healthy culture? [42:35] Why it is incumbent on leaders to start the dialogue around giving and receiving feedback. [44:03] Carole’s take on why the DEI conversation seems to be lost in translation for so many companies and what we can do better to begin this conversation in the workplace. [47:19] Carole shares a lesson and story from her book, Connect, on why every relationship cannot get to ‘exceptional,’ even if you may want it to. [50:09] Did Carole’s relationship with her mother fuel her passion around her work in interpersonal relationships? [51:35] Carole shares parting thoughts and words of wisdom for listeners on being a good leader and building interpersonal relationships. [52:17] Where to find Carole and her book online! [53:12] Thanking Carole for joining the podcast. Mentioned in this Episode: Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues, by David Bradford and Carole Robin Carole Robin’s LinkedIn Leaders in Tech ConnectandRelate.com — Visit for a free assessment, free resources, and to order Carole’s book!   About Fifth Dimensional Leadership & Ginny Clarke Fifth-Dimensional Leadership is a podcast about leadership — knowing yourself, speaking your truth, inspiring love, expanding your consciousness and activating your mastery. As an executive recruiter and career expert currently leading executive recruiting at a Fortune 20 tech company, Ginny Clarke is a passionate and authentic thought leader with a unique and deliberate perspective on work and life. She synthesizes aspects of her life as an African-American single mother who has successfully navigated corporate America for over 30 years. She has inspired, uplifted, and ch