Michael Gelb

Michael J. Gelb is a recognized authority on applying genius thinking to personal and organizational development. He is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership. Gelb leads seminars for organizations including DuPont, Merck, Microsoft, Nike, and Raytheon, and has been active in this field for over 30 years as a professional speaker, seminar leader, and organizational consultant, serving a diverse international clientele.

Michael Gelb has authored 17 books on creativity and innovation, including the international bestseller "How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day," which has been translated into 25 languages and has appeared on the Washington Post, Amazon.com, and the New York Times bestseller lists. In 2007, he released "Innovate Like Edison: The Success System of America’s Greatest Inventor," co-authored with Sarah Miller Caldicott, praised for turning creative ideas into profitable realities. Another significant work includes "The Art of Connection," which emphasizes the importance of relationships and interpersonal skills in leadership.

In 1999, Gelb was honored as “Brain of the Year” by the Brain Trust Charity, an honor shared with notable figures such as Stephen Hawking and Garry Kasparov. In 2003, he received a Batten Fellowship by the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business. Gelb also served as the Director of Creativity and Innovation Leadership for the Conscious Capitalism Institute from 2008 to 2012 and has been a Senior Fellow of the Center for Humanistic Management at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business since 2020.

A former professional juggler who once performed with the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, Gelb introduced teaching juggling as a method to promote accelerated learning and team-building. He holds a fifth-degree black belt in the Japanese martial art of Aikido and is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, a method taught at The Juilliard School for cultivating commanding stage presence. His seminal works include "Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique" and "Present Yourself! Captivate Your Audience with Great Presentation Skills," which guide readers in developing the communication strategies needed to generate support for their innovative ideas. Additionally, Gelb has created successful audio programs such as "Mind Mapping: How to Liberate Your Natural Genius" and "Work Like Da Vinci: Gaining the Creative Advantage in Your Business and Career," which further underscore his expertise in creative and innovative thinking.