Build your team’s psychological strength – and organizational influence

Keynotes packed with research-backed tactics to handle pressure, lead through uncertainty, and deliver results

SPEAKING CLIENTS INCLUDE

Your best people are getting in their own
way (and can’t get through to others).

They’re stuck in their heads, overthinking and second-guessing their decisions, and sidestepping tough conversations.

Even worse, they don’t know how to get inside others’ heads to:

Motivate their teams and get genuine buy-in on ideas
Negotiate competing priorities without burning bridges
Offer effective feedback without sparking defensiveness

The result?

The future of work is human, but we can’t get there without understanding and leveraging how humans work.

That’s where I come in.

“Her ideas are literally life-changing.”

Melody offered brilliant insights, impactful exercises and cutting-edge research on how to build self awareness, tame self-sabotage, and cultivate resilience. Her style is so engaging and down-to-earth, yet her ideas are literally life-changing.

Moira ShaughnessYU.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

“Not only was Melody easy and fun to work with, our employees found SO MUCH value in their time with her.”

When you get notes from employees saying that they were literally moved to tears because of how well the content resonated, you know you're doing something special.

WILL G.Happy Human

“Her practical strategies on building influence and communicating effectively with leadership deeply resonated with our audience.”

She provided specific scripts and strategies we could implement right away to be seen, heard, and taken more seriously. I'd highly recommend Melody for any organization looking to help their employees build stronger relationships up the chain of command while advancing their careers with confidence.

JEEVAN PRAKASHQualcomm

I’m
Melody.

Praised as a “world-class” speaker by Fortune 500 companies, I translate cutting-edge research into “I can use that today!” techniques audiences will immediately put into practice with their teams, clients, and colleagues.

My talks blend science, story, and a healthy dose of my real-world experience as a bestselling author, professor of human behavior, and coach to thousands of professionals worldwide.

In-Demand Topics

Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge

Become a strategic partner to those above you and turn your boss into your biggest champions.

Participants will learn to navigate power dynamics and build effective relationships with higher-ups that earn them more authority and freedom in the workplace.

Key takeaways:

Decode your manager’s priorities and decision-making patterns to align your work with what actually moves the needle
Present ideas so leaders don’t just listen — they champion your suggestions up the chain
Turn tough feedback into constructive conversations that strengthen relationships instead of straining them

How to Work With Anyone: Confidently Collaborate Across Work Styles & Personalities

Success in today’s cross-functional, diverse workplace relies on your ability to collaborate with people who think, work, and communicate differently than you do. Participants will get practical scripts and tangible tactics to handle challenging dynamics, from managing relationships with demanding higher-ups to bridging communication gaps that slow progress down.

Key takeaways:

Quickly decipher others’ work preferences within minutes of any interaction
Ensure your message lands every time – whether you’re dealing with data-driven analysts or big-picture thinkers
Set limits with strong personalities without damaging relationships or coming across as difficult

Overcome Overthinking: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Make Better Decisions Faster

Are your people stuck in analysis paralysis, wasting precious time and resources pondering ideas instead of taking action? Indecision and fear of making mistakes limits your company’s growth. Participants will get concrete, science-based guidance to let go of overthinking so they can be calmer, happier, and more productive.

Key takeaways

Spot (and self-correct) when healthy reflection tips into unproductive overthinking
Think clearly and speak confidently in high-stakes situations
Make sound decisions, even with incomplete information

All The Feels: Harnessing Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Success

When 45% of managers admit they’re more upset than calm, and 43% are more frenetic than collected (source: HBR), it’s no wonder performance suffers.

This talk offers proven approaches to stay focused when stakes are high, lead through uncertainty, and create resilient teams that perform instead of panic.

Key takeaways

Learn why your brain hijacks judgment in stressful moments — and how to take it back
Bounce back quickly from emotionally demanding moments so they don’t derail your day (or your productivity)
Show up steady when everything isn’t so your team feels secure enough to do their best work

“Our members are all left feeling inspired and empowered”

"The insight Melody shared around speaking up in the workplace was actionable — just as promised — and our members all left feeling inspired and empowered. The event had the highest attendance to date for our chapter, and the positive feedback keeps pouring in!"

Emily RassamWomen in Pensions Network

“Melody's talk was excellent - engaging, well-structured and full of practical advice and resources that we can now use throughout the business.”

Melody was so easy to work with, professional and expert. I'd happily work with her again. Thank you Melody!

HANNAH C.Strong Scientific Teams

“Our Herman Miller designers were captivated by Melody's talk.”

Even better, they left with meaningful steps to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Melody's messaging and content is a valuable new resource in our tool kit of workplace advancement know-how.

Deirdre CiminoHerman Miller