The Authority Company Chris Kaufman on Empathy, Design, and Building StockX into a Multi-Billion Dollar Brand
Nov 19, 2025
48:18
What happens when empathy meets innovation? Joe Pardavila sits down with Chris Kaufman, co-founder and former Chief Creative Officer of StockX, to explore how people-first leadership drives creativity and business success.
Chris shares:
• How his obsession with design evolved into a passion for problem-solving
• The story behind StockX and its revolutionary “stock market for sneakers” model
• Why authenticity and empathy are the most underrated leadership tools
• Lessons from failed rebrands like Cracker Barrel and Tropicana
• How to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of listening at work
He also reflects on how his parents’ example of kindness shaped his leadership philosophy and inspired his new book, Empathy at Work: Building Better Businesses Through People-First Leadership.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation to learn how empathy fuels creativity, culture, and long-term success.
Chris shares:
• How his obsession with design evolved into a passion for problem-solving
• The story behind StockX and its revolutionary “stock market for sneakers” model
• Why authenticity and empathy are the most underrated leadership tools
• Lessons from failed rebrands like Cracker Barrel and Tropicana
• How to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of listening at work
He also reflects on how his parents’ example of kindness shaped his leadership philosophy and inspired his new book, Empathy at Work: Building Better Businesses Through People-First Leadership.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation to learn how empathy fuels creativity, culture, and long-term success.