Mike Robbins is the author of four books, Focus on the Good Stuff, Be Yourself Everyone Else is Already Taken, Nothing Changes Until You Do, and Bring Your Whole Self to Work. He’s an expert in leadership, team performance, and company culture who delivers keynotes and seminars around the world that empower people, leaders, teams, and organizations to be more successful.
Prior to his speaking and writing career, Mike was drafted by the New York Yankees out of high school, but turned them down and chose to play baseball at Stanford University where he pitched in the College World Series. After college, Mike signed with the Kansas City Royals. He played three seasons in the Royals organization before arm injuries ended his playing career while he was still in the minor leagues.
After his athletic career was cut short by injuries, Mike worked in sales and business development for two tech companies, before starting his own consulting business in 2001.
Mike’s clients include some of the top organizations and institutions in the world, such as Google, Wells Fargo, eBay, Gap, Microsoft, Schwab, Airbnb, the Houston Astros, Harvard University, Chevron, and many others.
Mike and his work have been featured on NPR, ABC News, the Oprah radio network, and in Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, and O Magazine. He’s a regular contributor to Forbes, hosts a weekly podcast, and his books have been translated into fifteen different languages.
He, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters, Samantha and Annarose, live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Appreciation is one of the most powerful, yet overlooked, aspects of successfully motivating and empowering people and teams. When individuals and organizations put more attention on what is working and on people’s inherent strengths, instead of focusing on “problems,” they thrive. Through this inspiring program, based on his bestselling book Focus on the Good Stuff, Mike Robbins illustrates exactly how appreciation improves morale, productivity, and creates success.
“Your enthusiasm and passion were contagious. Your understanding and empathy for many of the obstacles these people face connected you to the group. I am confident that those in attendance were effectively given a vision of what they can become in the future through your example.”
“Mike is a gifted storyteller and talented speaker. His talks on authentic leadership and appreciation, and his exercises to ‘lower the waterline’ and build trust have been incredibly effective to both my management team as well as an international audience of 600. I have consistently received rave reviews from colleagues on Mike’s various efforts within Google.”
“You gave each of the 1,600 people within our group tips and techniques for enhanced success – individually and collectively. Thank you for the positive impact you have had on our business.”
“Your remarks had a direct impact on the attendees, as they now know that in order to succeed we must appreciate ourselves and those we work with.”
“I highly recommend Mike Robbins. He was extremely well received by our 700+ attendees. We’ve heard from many speakers over the years, and Mike ranks up there as one of the best. His message is very appropriate and adaptable to any business. He’s instantly likeable and such a pleasure to work with. I hope we have the chance to work together again.”