Neil Pasricha

Former Director of Leadership at Walmart & Happiness Expert

Neil Pasricha

Former Director of Leadership at Walmart & Happiness Expert

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Biography

After graduating from Harvard Business School, Neil Pasricha spent a decade as Director of Leadership at Walmart, the world’s largest company. While there he wrote the 50-million-hit, award-winning blog 1000 Awesome Things and the New York Times bestsellers The Book of Awesome and The Happiness Equation which have been on international bestseller lists for over 200 weeks and sold over a million copies.

Neil’s research and books on happiness, mindset, and human potential have received attention from Harvard Business Review, The New Yorker, The Sunday Times, CNN, and BBC.

Onstage his style is an endangered species: an incredibly rare blend of raw, hilarious, and heartwarming. His high-energy, takeaway-laden, application-not-motivation speeches are often voted tops at any conference or event.

Speaker Videos

TEDx: The 3 A’s of Awesome

It Is Not What Happens to You, It Is What You Do About It

Here to Inspire, Educate, and Motivate

TEDx: How Do You Maximize Your Tiny, Short Life?

It Is Not What Happens to You, It Is What You Do About It

Three Secrets to Achieve Happiness

Speaking Reel

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Speech Topics

The Subtle Art of Happiness

Why can so few people at work genuinely say, “I love my job”? Gallup reports 87% of the global workforce is disengaged. But what if there were subtle, secret weapons that could turn employees into their most powerful, engaged, and productive selves? It’s not crazy talk. It’s actually happening. Using his unique blend of counter-intuitive research and side splitting stories, Neil illuminates a clear path forward into workplaces where people show up inspired, do great work, and leave with full minds and full hearts. Raw, hilarious, and heartwarming, this is the perfect keynote to kick off or close your conference with the ultimate high. Past clients include: Audi (national dealer teams), AstraZeneca (sales agents), and TD Bank (top global leaders).

The Science of Positive Growth Mindset

Does great work lead to happiness? Or… does happiness lead to great work? Neil Pasricha shares counterintuitive research-based answers in this fun, fast-paced, research-grounded tour of the emerging neuroscience and positive psychology landscape. He challenges your audience by asking: “Would you press a button and have 31% higher productivity, 37% higher sales, and 300% greater creativity on Monday morning?” When heads start nodding, he shows how to get there. Based on fresh research Pasricha published in Harvard Business Review together with the latest in neuroscience and positive psychology, this speech is not true motivation – it’s application. Perfect for left-brained, analytical, or even skeptical audiences. Past clients include: Google (engineers), Kaiser Permanente (physicians), Citigroup (investment bankers).

Be Happy First: Resilience & Breakthrough Performance In Times Of Change

After Neil Pasricha’s wife left him and his best friend suddenly took his own life, he crash-landed in an empty downtown bachelor apartment. Just twelve months later, he was working directly for the CEO at Walmart, running the International Academy of Digital Arts and Science’s “Best Blog in the world”, and had just published The Book of Awesome which stormed the New York Times bestseller list and sold over a million copies. The lesson was clear: resilience, change, and growth can come from times of challenge. This inspiring talk is for anybody looking for simple practical ways to lift performance to new heights. In Neil’s case, he realized before life could change, he had to change. Leadership ultimately comes from within. When company execs would ask him “How did you get so happy?” he’d share the secret is to “Be happy first” and let the mindset you cultivate ultimately enable your success. Neil’s presentation leaves audiences with five clear tools they can use to achieve their biggest goals. (Past clients include: Uber (marketing), Momenta (bioscience execs), University of Texas (students and faculty).

Lead Yourself First, Before You Lead Others

Which company is #1 on the Fortune 500 today and has been for more than a decade? Walmart. The retail behemoth’s rise to half a trillion dollars in sales with over two million employees spread across the globe has been well-documented. But what hasn’t been documented is how they develop, nurture, and grow leaders up through those ranks. Neil Pasricha served as Director of Leadership Development inside Walmart for the past ten years – working directly for two CEOs and partnering with Harvard Business School to develop the first global executive program inside the retail giant. Join him as he shares a window into what his research and work reveal about what truly makes leaders tick and walk away with clear takeaways on how they can drive you and your teams. How do you lead a team of two, two hundred thousand, or even two million people? It starts with yourself. Let Neil show you how.

Testimonials

"Neil was phenomenal!!!!! I was already very grateful that we were able to have him a part of our weekend but after meeting him and experiencing his presentation, I am in awe of his generosity to share his expertise and positive energy with our physicians and staff."

- Kaiser Permanente

"The interactions, trust, healing, laughter, camaraderie, sadness, and vulnerabilities that come with taking care of patients are gifts to be enjoyed and appreciated. Sadly, the prism where we can see these qualities becomes rapidly clouded. There is real role for Neil’s work within health care. The more penetration his philosophies have, the more satisfaction, quality, and longevity we’ll see."

- Sharp Healthcare

"We were very pleased with Neil’s program on ‘The Subtle Art of Happiness’ to over 5000 staff at our System Leadership Meeting. On our 10-point rating scale, he received a score of 9.39! Neil was energizing and the message is timely and relevant."

- Ochsner Health System

"I cannot tell you the buzz in our meeting still after your presentation. People cannot stop talking about you and even people who have seen you for the third time, commented on how it’s just amazingly valuable every single time! Our employees saw in you what I saw many years ago in your first Ted talk and your many accomplishments since - your authenticity, strong values, kindness and your incredible wit and intelligence. You are a real talent and I feel so proud to have shared your voice with my company - I know you help our people be better."

- AstraZeneca

"Neil exceeded expectations. His message is relevant and timely ... if not urgent. Feedback has been universally resounding. Among specific comments, colleagues have recognized the relevance of his talk, his personal authenticity, his credibility (folks noted his nearly encyclopedic ability to reference his findings!), and most of all the simple practicality of his recommendations. Our team translated his talk into action the very same day and it immediately showed!"

- Alexion Pharmaceuticals

"Neil was incredibly attentive and intentional about delivering a message tailored to the needs of our group of over 2000 people. He shared valuable insights with humility, humor, and authenticity. He was inspirational and thought provoking. People were moved to laughter and tears at different times throughout his presentation. They were 100% engaged the entire time he spoke, and have continued, even a month later, to talk about the lessons they learned from him. I’ve heard lots of feedback and interest in beginning practice of the “2-minute morning” routine and I think everyone really appreciated having these types of practical suggestions. I could not be more happy with the outcome! Neil is truly amazing!"

- Healthy Families America

"We recently used Neil at an all employee event. Given some recent changes in the company, including a move to a new office, there was some trepidation and apprehension within the organization. Neil’s talk was exactly what we needed. He was very helpful in putting things into the right context, and created an immediate positive buzz. He is insightful, evidenced based and practical when it comes to making changes to increase happiness and ultimately productivity. Now we’re all hooked on his books, and are already planning for a future “Pasricha tune-up."

- Novo Nordisk