TEDxWilmington Talk: Leading with Heart
Join Dr. Jeff Kaplan on November 13, 2025, as he takes the TEDxWilmington stage to share how leaders can turn “difficult” relationships into powerful opportunities for understanding, trust, and growth.
The Talk
Work would be easy—if it weren’t for the people.
In his TEDxWilmington talk, Leading with Heart, Dr. Jeff Kaplan explores why difficult leaders aren’t always the problem—and why the way we respond to them can either inflame conflict or inspire change.
With humor, humanity, and insight from decades as a business psychologist, Jeff shares three timeless principles and three simple practices that can transform tension into trust and frustration into connection—at work and beyond.
The Speaker
Dr. Jeff Kaplan, PhD, MBA, MCC
Dr. Jeff Kaplan is the CEO and Founder of Leading with Heart, Inc., an executive coaching and leadership development firm on a mission to make heart-centered leadership the most impactful and widely practiced management approach in the world.
As one of fewer than 4% of coaches globally to earn the Master Certified Coach credential, Jeff has spent nearly four decades helping leaders and teams bring more purpose, empathy, understanding, engagement, and humility to the way they lead. His work blends the science of psychology with the humanity of leadership—turning insight into action and action into culture.
Named U.S. Leadership Development Coach of the Year by CEO Today magazine, Jeff has delivered keynotes and programs for organizations across healthcare, technology, finance, and education. He is also the creator of the Leading with Heart 360, a groundbreaking online feedback tool designed to help leaders see how they impact others.
A three-time author and former president of ICF Philadelphia, Jeff’s work has been featured in SmartCEO, Philadelphia Business Journal, and The Hospitalist. He holds a PhD and MEd from Temple University, an MBA from Penn State, and an MA from Boston College.
Through Leading with Heart, Jeff continues to help organizations transform how leadership is defined, practiced, and felt.
Dr. Jeff was invited to speak at TEDxWilmington after Dr. Dan Young, a Delaware business consultant and former Wharton educator, recognized him as a leading voice in coaching and therapy. Impressed by his track record of helping leaders grow with empathy and purpose, Dr. Young encouraged Dr. Jeff to share his message on the TEDx stage—bringing Leading with Heart to a global audience.
The Event
📍 Location: EastSide Charter School, 3000 N. Claymont St., Wilmington, DE
🗓 Date: November 13, 2025
🎤 Speaker: Dr. Jeff Kaplan, CEO & Founder of Leading with Heart, Inc.
⏱ Talk Duration: ~15 minutes
🎯 Talk Title: Leading with Heart
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