Smiley Poswolsky

Summary

When companies want to foster a culture of connection and trust, they call Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky. Given the nickname "Smiley" the first week of high school, he's a globally recognized keynote speaker, workplace belonging expert, and the bestselling author of three books. His purpose is to help people feel seen, celebrated, and less alone, a mission born from his own battles with loneliness and a deep-seated belief that human connection is the future of work.

In an age defined by digital overwhelm, uncertainty, and disconnection, where loneliness and burnout are at all-time highs, Smiley makes the urgent case for prioritizing belonging. He believes that in a world of wall-to-wall Zoom meetings and the rapid adoption of AI, the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially. It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s the core of a resilient, innovative, and thriving organization. With over 600 keynotes delivered to 250,000 people in 25 countries, Smiley has developed an easy-to-use toolkit to help leaders and teams create a culture of belonging. His actionable, high-energy, and optimistic presentations provide practical strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, engaging multi-generational workforces, and building high-performing teams.

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A Focus on Action and Impact

Smiley isn't just a speaker; he's a community builder. He believes that belonging is everyone's job, not just HR's. This philosophy is evident in his dynamic keynotes, which are built around tangible, habit-forming tools that lead to lasting behavior change. He customizes every presentation by interviewing team leaders and employees beforehand, ensuring his message resonates directly with the audience's specific challenges. Clients like Apple, Google, Verizon, Deloitte, and Pinterest trust him to deliver industry-shaping insights on topics like The Power of Human Connection and Belonging in the Future of Work. His impact extends far beyond the stage; Smiley is known for going "above and beyond" for his clients, treating every interaction as a true partnership.

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Bestselling Author and Thought Leader

Smiley is also a prolific author, sharing his insights in three bestselling books that have been translated into multiple languages. His latest, Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist’s Guide to Connection, provides a hopeful solution to a modern epidemic, demonstrating how friendship at work ignites high-performing teams and improves overall well-being. Before that, his book The Breakthrough Speaker: How to Build a Public Speaking Career, served as a practical guide for the next generation of thought leaders. His first book, The Quarter-Life Breakthrough: Invent Your Own Path, Find Meaningful Work, and Build a Life That Matters, offered honest career advice for millennials grappling with their purpose. Smiley's work has garnered widespread media attention, with features in over 100 outlets including the Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. His TED Talk on "the quarter-life crisis" has been viewed over 2 million times, solidifying his reputation as a leading voice on the future of work.

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