Annie McKee
Author, "How to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope and Friendships"
With a genuine passion for transforming workplaces, Dr. Annie McKee stands at the intersection of emotional intelligence, leadership, and human fulfillment. As a best-selling author, respected academic, and sought-after advisor to top global leaders, she brings warmth and practical wisdom to her mission: helping people create work environments where everyone can thrive. In her compelling book, How to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope, and Friendships, Dr. McKee distills decades of research into actionable insights. Through vivid real-life stories and evidence-based strategies, she reveals how focusing on purpose, cultivating optimism, and building meaningful relationships makes us happier and more successful. Her message is both powerful and practical: we must find ways to bring our passion into our daily work and leadership.
Dr. McKee has co-authored several groundbreaking books that have reshaped leadership thinking, including Primal Leadership (with Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis), Resonant Leadership, Becoming a Resonant Leader, and Management: A Focus on Leaders. Her work has been translated into over 25 languages, and she is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review. Dr. McKee is an Adjunct Full Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and has been recognized as one of Marshall Goldsmith’s “Top 100 Coaches” and as one of Business Week’s Top 100 Leaders. She also served as the former Director of Service Readiness and Culture for the U.S. Coast Guard. Her commitment to democracy and service is reflected in her roles on the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Board and as a faculty member for the Police Executive Leadership Institute, a program she co-designed with former police commissioner Charles Ramsey.
Dr. McKee’s personal journey infuses her work with authenticity. Born in England and raised in Ithaca, New York, she took the road less traveled after high school, returning to education at age 28 and graduating summa cum laude from Chaminade University while raising her children. Immediately thereafter as a single mother, she earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University, balancing academia, consulting, and family life. Dr. McKee lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Eddy Mwelwa. They are dedicated to their blended family of four children, one grandchild, and their beloved pets. Through every aspect of her work and life, Annie remains committed to helping good leaders become better and creating workplaces where both people and institutions can reach their full potential.
Topics
Happiness at Work: The Power of Purpose
In today's challenging business landscape, workplace happiness isn't just a feel-good concept—it's a critical driver of performance, innovation, and success. Drawing from her extensive experience advising top global leaders, bestselling author Dr. Annie McKee delivers practical, evidence-based strategies that transform how leaders approach purpose in the workplace. This energizing, action-oriented session shows leaders how to:
- Create environments where purpose and meaning flourish, boosting engagement and productivity.
- Build a culture of optimism that drives innovation and resilience during uncertainty.
- Develop authentic leadership practices that foster belonging and psychological safety.
- Implement specific techniques to help teams connect their daily work to a larger organizational purpose.
Based on research from Dr. McKee's acclaimed book, How to Be Happy at Work, participants gain immediately applicable tools to enhance personal fulfillment and organizational performance. Dr. McKee's practical approach—refined through work with organizations like Unilever, Sanofi, and the United Nations Development Program—equips leaders with concrete steps to create workplaces where people thrive. Leaders leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately to strengthen purpose, increase optimism, and measurably improve both satisfaction and results.
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Emotional Intelligence: The Leadership Advantage
In today's high-pressure business environment, emotional intelligence isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's the fundamental driver of leadership success and organizational performance. Best-selling author and renowned advisor Dr. Annie McKee draws from her decades of on-the-ground experience with global leaders and organizations to provide practical tools for putting emotional intelligence to work. This engaging, action-oriented talk equips leaders with:
- Specific techniques to recognize and manage emotions during challenging situations.
- Practical frameworks for building stronger teams through understanding and connection.
- Step-by-step approaches to transform workplace conflicts into opportunities.
- Concrete strategies to develop resilience in the face of constant change.
While grounded in Dr. McKee's groundbreaking research—featured in her bestsellers Primal Leadership and How to Be Happy at Work—this session focuses on real-world application. Participants leave with immediately usable tools they can implement the very next day. Dr. McKee's approach helps leaders create environments where engagement soars, talent thrives, and both people and profits flourish. Leaders gain clear, actionable steps to apply emotional intelligence in everyday leadership challenges.
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Culture by Design: Creating Workplaces That Work
In today's volatile economic and political landscape, a strong organizational culture isn't just beneficial—it's essential for survival. Dr. Annie McKee shares powerful insights from her extensive work with leaders and organizations worldwide, demonstrating how intentional culture-building creates resilience and competitive advantage. This inspiring, practical talk equips leaders with actionable strategies to:
- Foster environments where authenticity, belonging, and shared purpose flourish.
- Align organizational values with everyday behaviors that drive success.
- Build micro-cultures of respect and collaboration.
- Transform challenges into opportunities through value-centered leadership.
Drawing on Dr. McKee's renowned expertise in leadership and organizational culture transformation, participants leave with immediately applicable tools to strengthen their leadership approach, enhance team cohesion, and create workplaces where people genuinely want to contribute their best—driving measurable improvements in retention, innovation, and performance during turbulent times
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Emotional Intelligence
Leadership
Psychology
Happiness
Wellness
Business Strategy
Future of Work
Talent Development
Women's Voices
