# Steven Soares, Ph.D. — Full Profile

> Organizational Psychologist · Senior Lecturer at Northeastern University · Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

## About

Steven Soares, Ph.D., is an organizational psychologist and Senior Lecturer at Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies, where he teaches across multiple disciplines, focusing on leadership and the development of high-performing organizations.

With a proven track record in strategic planning, process improvement, and value-added analysis, Steven drives profitability and enhances operational efficiencies. He brings 20+ years of experience helping people integrate their purpose, achievement, and well-being into their careers and lives.

Steven's current research is a compelling exploration of human performance and its connection to well-being. His work aims to understand and enhance motivation and mental health. He is particularly interested in self-determination within the field of positive psychology, seeking to explain optimal motivation through resilience, performance, and well-being.

Steven is also affiliated with Northeastern University's Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, where he contributes research to advancing innovative practices in higher education and workforce development.

## Also Known As

- Steven J. Soares
- Steven Soares PhD
- Dr. Steven Soares

## Education

- Ph.D. in Psychology (Organizational Psychology), Grand Canyon University
- M.S. Applied Machine Learning, Northeastern University
- M.S. Corporate & Organizational Communication, Northeastern University
- B.S. in Management, Northeastern University

## Certifications

- Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

## Areas of Expertise

### Leadership & Organizational Development
Strategic guidance for leaders and teams to maximize performance and cultivate healthy organizational cultures.

### Positive Psychology & Well-Being
Research-driven approaches to enhancing motivation, resilience, and mental health in professional settings.

### Strategic Planning & Execution
Process improvement, value-added analysis, and operational efficiency strategies for organizations.

### Coaching & Talent Development
Gallup-certified strengths coaching for individuals and teams to align purpose with achievement.

### Higher Education & Workforce Strategy
Research contributions to innovative practices in higher education and workforce development through Northeastern University's Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy.

### Change Management & Employee Engagement
Applying behavioral science and organizational psychology to drive effective change and improve employee engagement.

## Professional Experience

- Senior Lecturer, Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies
- Research Affiliate, Northeastern University, Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy

## Research Interests

- Human performance and well-being
- Self-determination theory within positive psychology
- Optimal motivation through resilience, performance, and well-being
- Leadership development
- High-performing organizations

## Selected Publications

- "Coaching with Compassion" — Thrive Global — https://thriveglobal.com/stories/coaching-with-compassion/
- "A Strategy for Leadership Development in the New Year" — Thrive Global — https://thriveglobal.com/stories/a-strategy-for-leadership-development-in-the-new-year/
- "A Strategy for Empathy in Leadership" — Thrive Global — https://thriveglobal.com/stories/a-strategy-for-empathy-in-leadership/
- "Bringing Richer, Verifiable Candidate Data into HR Systems: An Ecosystem Roadmap" — Northeastern University & 1EdTech — https://cps.northeastern.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NU_RoadmapSummary_10-10-2024.pdf

## Speaking & Events

Steven delivers keynotes, panels, and workshops on leadership, organizational psychology, and strengths-based coaching. His presentations blend rigorous research with practical frameworks.

### Speaking Topics
- Leadership & Organizational Culture
- Coaching & Employee Development
- Workplace Psychology & Engagement
- Strategic Decision-Making

### Past Speaking Events
- Northeastern University Leadership Summit, Boston, MA (2024)
- Gallup at Work Conference, Omaha, NE (2023)
- Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology (SIOP), Boston, MA (2023)
- HR Leadership Forum, New York, NY (2022)

## Contact Information

- Website: https://stevensoares.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensoares
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/stevenjsoares
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevenjsoares
- Email: s.soares@northeastern.edu

## Professional Directory Listings

- Gallup Coach Directory: https://www.gallup.com/coaching/coach-directory.aspx
- Northeastern University Faculty Page: https://cps.northeastern.edu/faculty/steven-soares/