The world’s leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development, Michael is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, executive coaching and innovative leadership. His clients include DuPont, Emerson, Genentech, Merck, Microsoft, Nike and the Young President’s Organization. Michael co-directs the acclaimed Leading Innovation Seminar at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business and is on the faculty of the Institute for Management Studies. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a professional speaker, seminar leader and executive coach to his diverse, international clientele.
Michael is the author of 16 books including the international bestseller How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day. His new book The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World, co-authored with Professor Raj Sisodia will be released in September, 2019 by Harper Collins. Other titles include Creativity On Demand, Innovate Like Edison, Discover Your Geniusand Thinking for a Change. Michael’s books have been translated into 25 languages and have sold more than one million copies.
A professional juggler who performed with the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, Gelb introduced the idea of teaching juggling to promote accelerated learning and team-building. He is the author of The 5 Keys to High Performance: Juggling Your Way to Success.
A fifth degree black belt in the martial art of Aikido, Gelb is co-author with Grandmaster Raymond Keene, of Samurai Chess: Mastering Strategic Thinking Through the Martial Art of the Mind.
A passionate wine lover, Gelb is the originator of a unique and enjoyable approach to teambuilding as expressed in Wine Drinking For Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices.
Michael trained as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, (the method taught at The Juilliard School for cultivating commanding stage presence), while completing his Masters degree. His thesis became his first book – Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique.