#039: National News Anchor Turned Psychology Guru and Best-Selling Author

In this episode I interview Michelle Gielan, Founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research, former CBS News anchor, and author of the Bestselling book, Broadcasting Happiness. As a psychology researcher, Michelle’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, FORBES, Harvard Business Review, and on the CNN and FOX News networks. Listen as Michelle and I discuss the power of positivity, our responsibility as individual broadcasters, and how business leaders can radically improve employee performance by bringing the right attitude to the office. 

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Time Stamped Show Notes:

01:02 – Bill welcomes Michelle to the show 01:30 – How Michelle went from being a computer engineer, to news anchor, to psych researcher 01:55 – Do work that fits your calling—that helps you serve the world 02:30 – At the height of the recession, Michelle was broadcasting negativity every day which took its toll and is ultimately why she left 03:30 – Defining positive psychology 03:50 – How can we—once we get people to baseline—get them to thrive? 04:45 – When we make small changes in the way we communicate with people it radically alters how impactful our interactions can be 05:09 – The science behind positive psychology 05:43 – We’re all broadcasters—we all have influence and power over others 06:12 – When leaders come into the office with a negative/stress mindset, it’s broadcast to the employees 07:48 – The pre-frontal cortex 08:05 – The dopamine hit and the risks of addiction 08:35 – Small complements to employees result in small dopamine hits which results in better productivity 10:05 – The brain is like a muscle—we can change it, we are not dealt a set hand of cards 11:05 – How much support your organization provides can radically alter the on-job performance of your employees 11:50 – Work optimism 12:00 – Positive Engagement 12:06 – Support Provision 12:45 – What you give is what you get in terms of positivity 13:28 – Look at challenging or stressful situations as opportunities to be a hero 14:30 – Exercises and habits to re-writing how we think 14:58 – The Power Lead 16:25 – Michelle’s work with Nationwide Insurance 17:28 – The changes invoked via Michelle’s team 3X’d Nationwide’s sales 17:39 – Rethinking small business practices, and showing up fully as leaders can radically improve your operation 18:55 – Those small conversations you have with your employees in the hallway, in the breakroom, etc. add up in a BIG way 19:45 – As a leader, you are complete responsible for how you show up 21:09 – Michelle’s practical tips 21:27 – Beware To-Do lists—make sure it includes “wins” 23:09 – Instead of trying to fix flaws, focus on strengths and accomplishments 24:37 – BUSY PEOPLE!—craft your early morning experience with positivity so it can fuel you the rest of the day 25:43 – Transformative Journalism—less on the problem, more on the solution 26:48 – Negative events will befall us…it’s what we do with those experiences that matters 27:10 – Michelle’s idea billboard—you are a broadcaster and the message you choose to broadcast will radically alter those around you. 27:55 – Broadcasting Happiness Website

4 Key Points:

We’re not dealt a fixed set of cards—don’t be afraid to change directions and pivot your focus, that’s how Michelle went from computer engineer to broadcaster to author. Stop dwelling on the negatives in your life—focus on your strengths and accomplishments. We are ALL broadcasters and we are all responsible for the message(s) we broadcast. Rethink your small business practices—cherish those hallway or lunchroom conversations with employees, and make sure you show up in a state of positivity every day.

Resources Mentioned:

Microsoft Hololens –The first fully untethered, holographic computer Broadcasting Happiness – Michelle’s book on Amazon Michelle Gielan – Today’s guest Transformative Journalism – Journalism that’s about moving forward not backward Broadcasting Happiness Website – The website for Michelle’s quiz and contact info

Credits

Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives