Michelle shares insights from her high-octane career as an FBI hostage negotiator to demonstrate the power of “elite listening” and its powerful application in both the boardroom and at the kitchen table. She is the U.S. lead for the Listening Institute, a training consultancy with one simple mission: to teach professionals to listen and influence like hostage negotiators.
A former hostage negotiator, FBI special agent, and second-grade teacher (yes, they’re connected!), Michelle Kelley now works to share the skills of elite listening with people from all walks of life. As a counterterrorism agent, 9/11 trial contributor, and educator, Michelle has things she can never reveal — and some that she can. Fortunately, the lessons she can share from her high-octane career transfer to valuable skills we can all use in everyday life. Michelle works with The Listening Institute and lives with her super-supportive husband and sporty son. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx