Tal Ben-Shahar Keynote Speaker

In bridging the Ivory Tower and Main Street, Tal Ben Shahar’s lectures are rigorous and accessible, fun and serious, well researched and highly relevant. His classes on “Positive Psychology” and “The Psychology of Leadership” were among the largest courses in Harvard’s history, attracting 1,400 students, approximately 20 percent of all Harvard undergraduates. He teaches, speaks and consults around the world, to the general public, governments, Fortune 500 companies, and educational institutions. Ben-Shahar—whose internationally best-selling books have been translated into more than 25 languages— published his most recent book, Happier, No Matter What: Cultivating Hope, Resilience, and Purpose in Hard Times in May 2021. He also wrote The Joy of Leadership: How Positive Psychology Can Maximize Your Impact (and Make You Happier) and Being Happy, and Happier. Ben-Shahar’s personal mission statement is “to make the world a better place through wholebeing education.” He is currently developing curricula based on positive psychology for schools and universities. He has been featured on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, NBC, FOX, CNN, 60 Minutes and in many publications around the world. He was the host of the PBS Special: Happiness 10. Ben-Shahar walks the walk and talks the talk. You will always find him carrying his trademark pocket pad in which he jots his daily gratitude journal.

Speech Topics: 

• Leading in Uncertain Times: The work of the leader has become increasingly challenging with the world changing at an unprecedented rate, economic crises, political strife, and market pressures – to name just a few of the moving components affecting the work environment. What are the characteristics that allow certain leaders to flourish in uncertain and constantly changing times? Ben-Shahar looks through the lens of his SHARP model, which focuses on Strengths, Health, Absorption, Relationships, and Purpose to guide the actions of an effective leader. This presentation provides practical tools that allow leaders to bring out the best in themselves, their colleagues, and manage change — even in the most uncertain times.

• Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness: Positive Psychology, “the scientific study of optimal human functioning,” provides practical tools for better living. This new subfield within psychology is unique in that it creates a bridge between the Ivory Tower and Main Street — making rigorous academic ideas easily accessible. In this session, Ben-Shahar discusses current research related to the science of happiness and introduces ideas and tools that can actually make you happier. He covers topics including giving ourselves the permission to be human, simplifying our lives, recognizing the mind-body connection, and re-focusing on the positive.

• Positive Leadership: Strategies for Success: Most organizational and individual potential is untapped. Talented individuals are attracted to and thrive in organizations that bring out the best in them. Ben-Shahar discusses how leaders can create a positive environment that nurtures their inherent potential, as well as the potential in those with whom they work. Ben-Shahar presents research and practices from the world of Appreciative Inquiry, and the Strengths-based Approach to Leadership and Organizational Development and illustrates how to blend them into an approach that underpins extraordinary rather than ordinary outcomes, and enables people to reach fulfillment, happiness, wellbeing, and success.