Meet Carol Zizzo

What’s your journey to leadership been like?

I co-founded Henley Leadership Group with the belief that leadership isn’t reserved for a title—it’s a contribution we’re all capable of making, no matter our role or situation in life. I’ve been self-employed since 1995, and in that time, I’ve worked across sectors from social services to global Fortune 100 companies. One thing has remained consistent: people want to matter and make a difference. We keep attention on these two areas, with a commitment to workplaces being a place for people to thrive. 

What’s your approach to leadership and coaching?

Leadership development starts with a focus on the right internal conditions and what external environment is needed to experience leadership success. It includes one that fosters inquiry, reflection, and integration. Training alone doesn’t create transformation; practice does. I work to bring the same principles that I used in executive coaching to my leadership role. I ask powerful questions, yes, but I also draw on my own experience, vulnerability, and voice. I aim to be a partner in growth, not just an observer. This means a consistent process of examining my own ego and looking at ways for our team and those we serve to examine their own. 

What do you bring to your work?

• B.A. in Organization Development

• ICF Certified Executive Coach

• Certified in:

• Integrative Enneagram (iEQ9)

• The Leadership Circle Profile™

• TED - The Empowerment Dynamic

• MBTI

• Decades of experience with hundreds of executive coaching, facilitation and organization development engagements

• A proclivity for energy, levity, and high engagement, no matter the setting
  
  I’ve built my career by surrounding myself with people who are often more educated or more specialized than I am, but who share my deep passion for impact through people. It has been key to our collective success. 

What are you learning right now?

I’m paying close attention to the evolving global and political landscape and what it means for leadership. I’m always learning through audiobooks, the insights of our international clients, and thought leaders like Meg Wheatley and the MIT Ulab. I’m especially interested in how we remain emergent, relevant, and progressive as a firm.

What are you most proud of?

Personally, I’m incredibly proud of my 45-year marriage, our two adult children, and our family’s resilience. We’ve been through deeply painful experiences and come through the other side—again and again—together.

Professionally, I’m proud of the 22-year partnership and friendship with co-founder Dede Henley and the remarkable team we’ve built together, which led to my current partnership with Shanon Olsen, our COO, when Dede retired. It has been a remarkable learning journey, full of plenty of opportunities to lay it down. We didn’t.  I’m also proud of the transformational programs we’ve delivered to thousands of leaders around the world and the ripple effect those leaders have created in their own organizations.

Fun Fact:

I can whip up an improv lunch or dinner for three or thirty people, and I wield a kitchen knife like a pro.

Current Favorite Quote:

“In the current political climate, there is increased pressure for businesses to temper their voices, but it is precisely in these moments that our voices matter most.”
— Dave Stever, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s