Michelle Gielan

• International bestselling author of Broadcasting Happiness: The Science of Igniting and Sustaining Positive Change
• Named one of the top 10 authors on resilience by the Harvard Business Review
• Research has received attention from dozens of media outlets including The Washington Post, FORBES, and The New York Times
• Master in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. from Tufts University in Computer Engineering
• Featured professor in Oprah’s Happiness course
• Clients include Microsoft, HP, Google, Bank of America, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dell, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Harvard, Marriott, Fidelity, Merck, Gartner, and AT&T

The Optimism Quotient: Strengthening a Mindset that Fuels Happiness and Success

An engaged, optimistic mindset is a massive advantage in the modern economy and one of the single biggest drivers of success. New research in the fields of neuroscience and positive psychology is showing the incredible ripple effect rational optimism can have on performance, profitability and happiness at work. Nationally recognized researcher and best-selling author Michelle Gielan will empower you with practical, research-based positive communication strategies to increase happiness and fuel success. Learn the science behind how to train the brain for greater optimism to reap the benefits: 31% increase in productive energy, 37% higher sales, 40% higher likelihood of a promotion, and a 23% decrease in stress. Weaving together poignant stories, interactive experiments and her own novel research, Michelle presents a compelling, engaging science-based case showing that being positive and sharing that optimistic mindset with others is central to success. During her session, you will learn how authentic, rational optimism significantly increases performance and business success, a proven tool to inoculate your brain against stress and negativity, practical, researched 2-minute habits proven to retrain your brain to be more resilient in minutes, and how interconnected teams can create cultures of high performance and sustainable resilience.

Resilient to the Core: How to Improve Your Default Response to Stress to Boost Performance & Happiness

Stress has become one of the biggest barriers to high performance on and off the field, yet new research shows 91% of us could improve our default response to stress using simple positive habits. In one of the largest studies on stress of its kind, researcher and bestselling author Michelle Gielan has identified the three major dimensions of your stress response that predict your well-being and performance, and how to quickly shift from stuck to empowered. She shares the new research coming out of positive psychology and strategies for achieving 31% greater energy and 23% fewer stress-related symptoms. Audience members will learn how to identify the three major responses to stress that waste energy and leave us stuck, inoculate their brains against common stresses and negative people, use unavoidable stress to their advantage to boost performance, develop three habits to retrain their brains to be more resilient and optimistic in minutes, and cultivate interconnected teams to create cultures of high performance, optimism and sustainable resilience

Webinar: Resilient Optimism: Strengthening a Mindset that Fuels Well-being Amid Uncertainty Download PDF  Video Sample

During this interactive 60 minute session, you will learn:
- How rational optimism makes you more adaptive in the midst of uncertainty and change
- What optimists do differently and effectively in times of crisis
- Why rational optimism significantly increases performance and success
- Researched strategies to stay informed about global disruption without suffering emotional consequences
- Ways to increase social connection in a time of social distancing
- A proven tool to inoculate your brain against stress and negativity
- Practical, researched 2-minute habits to retrain your brain to be more resilient in minutes

Broadcasting Happiness: Creating Success through Positive Engagement

Effective, positive communication is the single biggest driver of success at work. New research in the fields of neuroscience and positive psychology is showing the incredible ripple effect positive communication can have on employee engagement, productivity, and happiness. After spending years as a national CBS News anchor broadcasting to millions and receiving an advanced degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Positive Psychology, Michelle developed simple, yet proven techniques for positive communication that drive individual and team success for quantifiable results. She trains professionals on ways to inoculate their brain against stress and negativity, praise effectively, get others to adopt a more resilient mindset and shift the culture at work to create a talent-enhancing environment.

Communicating Greatness: The Science of Positive Authentic Female Leadership

In our corporate culture, it can sometimes be difficult to be both female and positive without fear of being perceived as “pollyannish” or out of touch with reality. In this talk, Michelle shatters the misconceptions about positive leadership using science to show how to not only avoid prejudice, but to also change the mindsets of those around you to drive success. Michelle describes funny and poignant stories she experienced while one of the top female media professionals, as well as from her work with influential female executives at companies including Google, Microsoft and Bank of America. In this talk, Michelle reveals how to cultivate rational optimism, change the social script using verbal and nonverbal cues, guide the negative towards the positive, and be perceived as strong, deep and optimistic female leader.

"Michelle captivated a room of CEOs, presidents and leaders with her research, her stories and her powerful delivery. The leaders in the room left the presentation forever changed.”
YPO Gulf States

“Michelle’s message made a lasting impression, and we are already seeing the results. Our Americas HR organization is definitely Broadcasting Happiness – we are inspired!”
Marriott

“Michelle Gielan is one of the brightest stars in positive psychology and an eloquent champion for rethinking the way we communicate—at work, in our lives, and especially in the media.
Arianna Huffington

“One of our best speakers ever. Michelle Gielan had us at hello with her infectious smile and energetic personality. But it was the practical ways we can put the research and ideas she shared into practice that had everyone buzzing. Some attendees said they were skeptical at first ‘here’s another think positive speaker,’ but left very impressed and motivated by Michelle’s message.”
Mighty Auto Parts

“When Michelle presents on stage, she makes you feel like you’ve known her for years. She immediately engages the audience with stories, research, and exercises that make her talks a must-see from the start. I've had the honor of booking some of the world's best speakers for our annual conference, and Michelle Gielan is in that class. If you’re looking for a dynamic speaker to lift up your leaders and give them practices to help them for years to come, put Michelle on your list!”
Workhuman

“Michelle Gielan’s buoyant, poignant, and uplifting message was the cornerstone of our entire three-day event. Because of the power and eloquence of Michelle’s message, we specifically crafted our attendee experience and engagement strategy to align and underscore the influence of positive communication and “Broadcasting Happiness.” Michelle’s warm, inclusive, and elegantly polished delivery brought our group of 200 into her enchanting inner circle. Our group includes data geeks, research nerds, and senior business executives…a diverse group that expects that theory is backed by proof. Before Michelle’s presentation, some were concerned that her message could have been considered subjective, or potentially even emotionally squishy. Well, the doubters weren’t doubters for long – Michelle and her message not only resonated, but also transformed our audience to adopt the challenge of radiating happiness. Including Michelle Gielan in an event is to ensure happier, more productive, more successful outcomes for your group.”
The Incentive Research Foundation