Smiley Poswolsky Keynote Speaker

Workplace Belonging Expert
Bestselling author
Popular TED speaker

Smiley Poswolsky's Biography

When companies want to drive culture transformation and boost workplace belonging, human connection, and team engagement, they turn to ADAM “SMILEY” POSWOLSKY.

Smiley is a globally recognized keynote speaker, workplace belonging expert, and bestselling author of four books, including The Quarter-Life Breakthrough, Friendship in the Age of Loneliness, and The Workplace Belonging Toolkit, which have been translated into multiple languages.

He shares industry-leading insights and practical tools to attract and retain talent across generations, foster a culture of belonging, and engage high-performing teams at world-class organizations like Apple, Google, Verizon, JPMorgan Chase, and the U.S. Navy. Smiley’s TED talk has reached 2 million views, and he has delivered over 600 keynotes to 250,000 people in 25 countries.

His work has been featured in over 100 media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, the New York Times, the New Yorker, and the World Economic Forum.

The Power of Human Connection

How Leaders Can Increase Retention, Drive Human Performance, Build High-Value Relationships, and Create Belonging at Work

Belonging in the Future of Work

Creating Human Connection and Community in the Era of Hybrid, AI, and Overwhelm

Engaging the Multigenerational Workforce

How to Be a Future-Ready Organization and Attract, Retain, and Engage Top Talent Across Generations

Workplace Culture for the Future

Building High-Performing Teams to Embrace Change, Transform Culture and Drive Human-Centered Growth in the Future of Work

Building Better Relationships

Building a Care Mindset to Ignite High-Performing Teams, Build Trusting Relationships, Empower Well-Being, and Thrive in the Future of Work

Smiley Poswolsky Speaker Reel 4K | Culture Keynote Speaker

The Power of Belonging and Human Connection | Full Keynote | Keynote Speaker Smiley Poswolsky

Belonging and Human Connection in the Future of Work | Event Recap

Smiley Poswolsky | The Power of Human Connection in the Age of AI | Payroll Congress Event Recap

Articles, Media & Podcasts

How Leaders Can Build Connection in a Disconnected Workplace

Harvard Business Review

The cure for pandemic loneliness? Friends of a different generation.

The Washington Post

Books by Smiley Poswolsky

Comments & Testimonials

Smiley was an outstanding opening keynote speaker for us. Smiley’s powerful and timely message around The Power of Human Connection and how to foster belonging in our associations and meetings, whether at the office or on Zoom, was a perfect fit. Not only were our event organizers talking about Smiley’s presentation throughout the Summit, but Smiley spent the rest of the day and evening connecting with our partners and sponsors. He stuck around for networking activities at the pool, attended a group dinner, and even got on stage during karaoke. In short, he showed up fully for PCMA and was a delight to work with.

MEREDITH ROLLINS,Executive Director, PCMA Foundation and Chief Community Officer, PCMA

We invited Smiley to be the keynote speaker at our inaugural Peak Week, a multiday event dedicated to meaningful connection, collaboration, empathy, belonging and more. Smiley was a perfect fit for the theme of Peak Week: The Power of Human Connection, bringing together our leaders from around the globe at our NYC headquarters. Smiley provided WeightWatchers leaders with actionable tips and specific ways they can build belonging, starting today. As a result, our team felt more connected and empowered to create belonging on their teams.

TIFFANY STEVENSON,Chief People Officer, WeightWatchers

Smiley helped our team come up with new and exciting ideas for how to recruit and retain top talent.

SCOTT LEATHERMAN, Vice President, SAP

I first saw Smiley speak at Culture Summit, and knew he was the perfect person to speak to the rest of MailChimp about having a career with purpose. The office was buzzing all afternoon after Smiley’s Coffee Hour talk. I was thrilled that we brought Smiley in to speak to our employees.

ASHLEY WILSON,Employee Engagement Specialist, MailChimp