I grew up on a farm.
One of my jobs was to collect the eggs every day. On Saturdays my job was to bake a cake with the cracked eggs. That’s how I discovered that even a cracked egg has gold inside.
When I work with people, the cracks don’t worry me because I’m on the search for the gold they have inside. I help them discover it for themselves.
It’s probably why the guests on my TV show discover things about themselves from my questions. And why I consistently refine my talks as a keynote speaker to help each member of my audience find the gold for themselves. And why I am full of curiosity as a writer.
I’ve been an executive for over 40 years, but it was growing up on a farm that made me someone who has never stopped learning from the surprizes in life and the knowledge that there is gold within every one of us.
I’m a thought leader on resilience, a transition consultant, podcast Host, speaker, a bestselling author, and a puzzle enthusiast. I’ve been on the faculty at Columbia University and a Division Chief at the World Bank.
I love working with groups, and I have spoken to enthusiastic audiences from 5 to 500. I’ve managed over 600 projects to successful completion. I did landmark research studies in leadership strategies.
My education began in mathematics and now includes a Ph.D. in sociology with an emphasis on organizational psychology. I’ve written five books including my latest book, Unlocked: Discover How to Embrace the Unexpected, and contributed to six others such as Smarter Innovation and Wake Me Up When the Data Is Over. I also write a blog, called ‘Resilient Leader‘, for Psychology Today.
In 1988 I founded Pelerei, a boutique consulting firm serving organizations around the world. Ten years ago, I began looking carefully at what resilience is and pivoted to focus on helping individuals and organizations thrive in the midst of disruption. Through my transition coaching and my podcast and TV show, Unlocked with Dr. Madelyn Blair, I’m creating leaders who are resilient, clear and purposeful.
My focus is always on how to help my audience see the value they already possess and how to build on it. Everything I do is with an eye for bringing out the best in my clients, my guests, and especially my audience.
Over the years, I’ve been privileged to work with wonderful people and organizations, including Columbia University, NASA, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Merck Pharmaceuticals, the International Monetary Fund, Walden University, Brookings Institute, PwC and more.
My goal is to help individuals and communities, wherever they are, develop the resilient leader within.
Let’s explore how I can help you embrace the unexpected so that you can overcome whatever is facing you and reach your full potential!
Listen to Madelyn tell the story of the gold inside.
Fun Facts
A Naturalist: Growing up on a farm, I still love fresh vegetables from the garden. I have always been enamored with nature, gardening, and rock climbing. The first and only time that I made a collection was as a teenager when I collected of all things — seeds.A Cook: I wasn’t serious about cooking until my 30’s. Now, more often than not, I make my own recipes at the spur of the moment – using what’s coming from the garden.
An Artist: Studying art in my teens, I learned to see what is pleasing to the ‘eye’. That’s not the same as beautiful, but definitely pleasing. I”ve never forgotten the lesson. I designed the best-selling book cover of Unlocked. A sometimes painter, my focus today is fabric. I used to design and construct most of my wardrobe. Now, I’m limited to one or two items a year.
A Puzzle Enthusiast: And I love puzzles — from math puzzles to what’s puzzling my clients. From huge jigsaw puzzles to the daily Wordle. Speaking of Wordle, do you start with the same word each day or something else?
Books & Publications
- Unlocked: Discover how to embrace the unexpected
- Essays in Two Voices
- Riding the Current: How to deal with the daily deluge of data
- Riding the Current Workbook
- A Conversation on Gender
- She has contributed to many others such as Smarter Innovation, Wake Me Up When the Data Is Over, University of the Future, and Lessons from the Field.
- She writes a blog, entitled Resilient Leadership, for Psychology Today.
Education
- PhD in Organizational Psychology from Tilburg University of The Netherlands
- MBA in Finance from The Wharton School
- BA in Mathematics from Rutgers University
Honors
- Celebrating 3 Years of Unlocked on e360TV 2024
- Marquis Who’sWho 2024
- Lifetime Achievement Award, 2023 from IAOTP
- For the second year running: Renaissance Leader for 2022 by The Stone Register
- Top Resilient Advisor of the Decade, 2021 by IAOTP
- Renaissance Leader for 2021 by The Stone Register
- Empowered Woman of the Year for 2020 by IAOTP
- Host of Unlocked on BBM Radio, 2019
- #1 Bestseller Author International, 2019
- Conference Chair for Goldenfleece International Conference on Story in Business, 2001 to 2010
- Moderator of The Smithsonian Event, 2002 to 2010
- Professional Woman of the Year for 1997 by ProNet
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