Paolo Terni

As Senior Research Scientist at Duckworth Lab, Paolo is at the forefront of psychological research on grit, goal attainment, and flourishing. Alongside this work, he is a Professional Certified Coach with over two decades of experience across the United States and Europe. Paolo has worked extensively with leaders in diverse industries—technology, biotech, transportation, health, food, and manufacturing—providing coaching that integrates insights from philosophy and psychology to guide individuals through life’s bigger questions and professional challenges.

With a graduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Milan, Italy, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, Paolo brings a rich, intercultural perspective to his work. As an expatriate who has collaborated across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures, Paolo draws on these experiences to help clients navigate the complexities of leadership, personal growth, and cross-cultural adaptation.

His coaching approach combines evidence-based methodologies with a philosophy-informed perspective, empowering clients to develop practical solutions rooted in enduring life philosophies. Paolo particularly enjoys working with expatriates, senior leaders, and young talents seeking clarity and purpose in an interconnected world. For more information about his life-philosophy go to his website, Live Like a Philosopher, whereas for his Solution-Focused coaching go to his Linkedin profile.

Paolo has authored several books and peer-reviewed papers on solution-focused coaching and positive psychology, including the peer-reviewed paper "Solution-Focus: Bringing Positive Psychology into the Conversation" and the books: "Ingredients for Mastery: How to Achieve Excellence Using Positive Psychology" and "Mr. Bear Wants to Be Loved—And Other Stories About Making Change Easier for Children and Their Parents", the latter translated into seven languages.

Like Young Mr. Bear, Paolo has embraced a journey of exploration. Ultimately, he made his home in California with his wife, weaving together elements of the cultures he has experienced—from making pizza from scratch to living the gritty ethos of Duckworth Lab, from hiking the California outdoors to embracing the classical philosophical tradition.