Melody Wilding, LMSW

Melody Wilding, LMSW Melody Wilding, LMSW is an influencer

Author of MANAGING UP & TRUST YOURSELF | Award-Winning Executive Coach to Sensitive Strivers | LinkedIn Top Voice | Professor of Human Behavior | Keynote Speaker | HBR Contributor

New York, New York, United States
49K followers 500+ connections

About

⚡️Step into your 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 – the sweet spot where confidence & influence come together

Hi, I’m Melody 👋 I help smart, driven professionals like you feel in control of their careers, know where they stand with the people in power, and get what they want at work.

Go from people-pleaser to respected leader, turn self-doubt into confident presence, and fast-track your career.

See, getting ahead IS NOT about…
✕ Putting in the most hours
✕ Saying "yes" to every request
✕ Being the loudest voice in every meeting

The little-known secret of the working world’s top performers? They're not just working hard.

They’ve mastered psychology – both their own and that of those above them.

Everything changes when you understand the art and science of influencing others while keeping your own emotions and insecurities in check.

All the tools you need to unlock your professional power position — grounded in research and real-world experience — are waiting for you.

𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗨𝗣 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦
✅ Speak truth to power (without a dry mouth & sweaty palms)
✅ Overcome micromanagement (without overstepping your bounds)
✅ Get in with the right people (without becoming a shameless corporate climber)

𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗣𝗦𝗬𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬
✅ Sail through high-stakes priorities (without cracking under pressure)
✅ Confidently lead your team (without overthinking every decision)
✅ Navigate corporate shuffles (without tearing out your hair)

We've helped thousands of professionals like you…

⚡ Score six-figure bonuses
⚡ Spearhead billion-dollar projects
⚡ Land skip-level promotions
⚡ Earn prestigious awards in their field
⚡ Build new roles around their strengths

And we can't wait to help you next!

⇢ PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK, MANAGING UP: https://managingup.com

⇢ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST, PSYCHOLOGY AT WORK: https://melodywilding.com/podcast

⇢ GET A FREE CHAPTER FROM MY FIRST BOOK, TRUST YOURSELF: https://melodywilding.com/chapter

⇢ ACCESS FREE SCRIPTS TO SAY NO AT WORK: https://melodywilding.com/sayno

⇢ WORK WITH ME: https://melodywilding.com/resilient


Specialties: executive coaching, executive coach, leadership coach, leadership coaching, female keynote speaker, keynote speaker, leadership speaker, management speaker, emotional intelligence speaker, communications speaker, managing up, manage up

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Experience

  • Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau Graphic

    Keynote Speaker

    Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau

    - Present 3 months

  • Melody Wilding, LMSW

    Melody Wilding, LMSW

    13 years 4 months

    • Melody Wilding, LMSW Graphic

      Workplace Mental Health Keynote Speaker | Burnout & Imposter Syndrome Speaker | Workshop Facilitator

      Melody Wilding, LMSW

      - Present 13 years 4 months

      New York, New York, United States

      Book me to speak: https://melodywilding.com/speaking

      As an award-winning thought leader and keynote speaker on workplace mental health, burnout, and imposter syndrome in the workplace, I helps organizations worldwide empower their top performers with engaging, well structured talks full of practical advice.

      With over a decade of public speaking, teaching, and training experience, I’ve delivered hundreds of talks, ranging from keynotes with large audiences of 10,000+ participants…

      Book me to speak: https://melodywilding.com/speaking

      As an award-winning thought leader and keynote speaker on workplace mental health, burnout, and imposter syndrome in the workplace, I helps organizations worldwide empower their top performers with engaging, well structured talks full of practical advice.

      With over a decade of public speaking, teaching, and training experience, I’ve delivered hundreds of talks, ranging from keynotes with large audiences of 10,000+ participants to facilitating small-group workshops for Fortune 500 leadership and executive teams.

      Recent engagements include Discover, Walmart, Burberry, McKinsey, Stanford University, Conde Nast, US Dept of Treasury, and more.

      My popular talks include:

      ⭐ Find Freedom from Imposter Syndrome
      ⭐ Saying No & Setting Boundaries at Work with Grace and Professionalism
      ⭐ Speak Up, Be Heard: How to be More Assertive at Work
      ⭐ Rise Above Burnout & Love Work Again
      ⭐ Overcome Overthinking: Quiet Your Inner Critic & Make Better Decisions, Faster
      ⭐ Trust Yourself: Sensitivity as a Superpower in the Workplace

      What organizers say:

      👉 Melody is a world-class speaker and author. She offered brilliant insights, impactful exercises and cutting edge research on how to build self awareness, tame self sabotage and cultivate resilience. Her style is so engaging and down-to-earth, yet her ideas are literally life-changing. I can't recommend her enough. - MOIRA SHAUGHNESSY, U.S. DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

      👉 Not only was Melody easy and fun to work with, our employees found SO MUCH value in their time with her. When employees say they were literally moved to tears because of how well the content resonated, you know you're doing something special. - WILL MAHON, INDEX EXCHANGE

      Look no further for a keynote speaker who will delight, inspire, and move your people. Connect with me here on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

    • Melody Wilding, LMSW Graphic

      Executive Coach and Leadership Coach

      Melody Wilding, LMSW

      - Present 13 years 4 months

      New York, NY

      As an executive and leadership coach, I help highly sensitive leaders and professionals overcome the emotional challenges of leadership, management, and success. My goal is to empower my clients to produce high-caliber work, without burning out or sacrificing who they are.

      My clients, who call me a “superstar coach”, are top-performers at fortune 500 companies worldwide, including Google, Facebook, Netflix, KPMG, and more. I've worked with CEOs who have run +10,000 person companies…

      As an executive and leadership coach, I help highly sensitive leaders and professionals overcome the emotional challenges of leadership, management, and success. My goal is to empower my clients to produce high-caliber work, without burning out or sacrificing who they are.

      My clients, who call me a “superstar coach”, are top-performers at fortune 500 companies worldwide, including Google, Facebook, Netflix, KPMG, and more. I've worked with CEOs who have run +10,000 person companies along with founders of the country's fastest growing startups.

      - Leadership development
      - Career development
      - Management skills and team building
      - Communication skills
      - Mental well-being
      - Stress management
      - Habits and time management
      - Productivity
      - Work-life balance
      - Purpose and fulfillment

      MORE CONFIDENCE AND CONTROL IN YOUR CAREER STARTS HERE: http://melodywilding.com

  • Chronicle Books Graphic

    Author of TRUST YOURSELF: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work

    Chronicle Books

    - Present 5 years 7 months

    ⭐ Ranked #1 Best-Seller on Amazon
    ⭐ Debuted as #1 New Release on Amazon
    ⭐ Selected as an Apple "Best Book of the Month"

    "Groundbreaking and insightful...essential reading for every sensitive, introverted professional."
    ––Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet and creator of Quiet Revolution

    Being highly attuned to your emotions, your environment, and the behavior of others can be the keys to success, but they can also lead to overthinking everything and burnout…

    ⭐ Ranked #1 Best-Seller on Amazon
    ⭐ Debuted as #1 New Release on Amazon
    ⭐ Selected as an Apple "Best Book of the Month"

    "Groundbreaking and insightful...essential reading for every sensitive, introverted professional."
    ––Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet and creator of Quiet Revolution

    Being highly attuned to your emotions, your environment, and the behavior of others can be the keys to success, but they can also lead to overthinking everything and burnout.

    Trust Yourself offers concrete steps to help you break free from stress, perfectionism, and self-doubt so you can find the confidence to work and lead effectively.

    If you're an empathetic, driven person trying to navigate your career and learn how to believe in yourself in the process, Trust Yourself offers the mindset and tools to set you on the path to personal and professional fulfillment.

    "Wilding’s message—trust yourself —is much needed."
    —Julia Cameron, bestselling author of The Artist’s Way

    "Trust Yourself is an exquisite roadmap written just for Sensitive Strivers looking to thrive in the workplace.”
    —Dr. Elaine Aron, bestselling author of The Highly Sensitive Person

    Order your copy: https://melodywilding.com/book

  • LinkedIn Graphic

    LinkedIn Learning Instructor

    LinkedIn

    - Present 3 years 8 months

    As a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, I teach actionable leadership and general skills content to help high-achieving professionals be more successful and confident at work.

    🔹Influence Skills for leaders and Managers - Learn practical, science-backed strategies to influence above, across, and below you to feel more confident and in control of your professional path.

    🔹 Making Tough Career Decisions - Discover tips and strategies to navigate these turning points with greater clarity…

    As a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, I teach actionable leadership and general skills content to help high-achieving professionals be more successful and confident at work.

    🔹Influence Skills for leaders and Managers - Learn practical, science-backed strategies to influence above, across, and below you to feel more confident and in control of your professional path.

    🔹 Making Tough Career Decisions - Discover tips and strategies to navigate these turning points with greater clarity and confidence about your future.

    🔹 Leading as a Highly Sensitive Person - Learn how to identify and evaluate how high sensitivity impacts leadership behaviors, techniques to manage the challenges of sensitivity related to personal performance and team management, and how to amplify high sensitivity strengths to boost leadership impact and influence.

    🔹 Managing Burnout - This course shows you how to recognize, recover from, and prevent burnout.

    🔹 Managing Your Emotional Response to Workplace Stress - Discover new mindsets and tools to separate your self-worth from your career, so that you can build greater confidence and work-life balance.

    🔹 Overcome Overthinking - Explore tools, strategies, and activities that can help you stop the cycle of overthinking to start feeling happier and more productive.

    🔹 Learning to Say No with Grace and Professionalism - Learn how to gracefully decline requests without negatively impacting your career or relationships.

  • CNBC Graphic

    Contributor

    CNBC

    - Present 4 months

    Writing thought leadership pieces for CNBC Make It on managing up, career success, and career growth.

  • Harvard Business Review Graphic

    Contributor

    Harvard Business Review

    - Present 3 years 11 months

    My articles frequently top Harvard Business Review's "Most Popular" list and can be Leadership & Managing People, Communication, Managing Yourself sections.

  • City University of New York Graphic

    Human Behavior Faculty Member

    City University of New York

    - Present 9 years 6 months

    New York, NY

    Graduate-level Adjunct Lecturer at Hunter College, Silberman School of Social Work teaching Human Behavior in the Social Environment (Adult Psychopathology)
    Instructional designer consulting for online Masters of Social Work (MSW) curriculum

  • Forbes Graphic

    Contributor

    Forbes

    - Present 8 years 7 months

    I write about psychology, mental health, work, and career for Forbes Women.

  • BetterUp Graphic

    Executive Coach & Leadership Coach

    BetterUp

    - 3 years

    At BetterUp, we believe it takes two people to develop great leaders: an individual who's ready for new challenges and a world class coach. We draw from the latest research in neuroscience, positive psychology, and behavioral tools to help our clients pursue excellence with clarity, purpose and passion.

    I work one-on-one with new managers, Senior Leaders, and high potential employees at top companies to improve their well-being, navigate challenges and find meaning and fulfillment at…

    At BetterUp, we believe it takes two people to develop great leaders: an individual who's ready for new challenges and a world class coach. We draw from the latest research in neuroscience, positive psychology, and behavioral tools to help our clients pursue excellence with clarity, purpose and passion.

    I work one-on-one with new managers, Senior Leaders, and high potential employees at top companies to improve their well-being, navigate challenges and find meaning and fulfillment at work and in life. Some of my areas of expertise include stress management, creating positive relationships, satisfaction and high productivity in the workplace, optimal performance, and emotional well-being.

    Specialties
    Career Development, Leadership Coaching, Executive Coaching, Learning and Development, Talent Development

  • Inc. Magazine Graphic

    Columnist

    Inc. Magazine

    - 2 years 9 months

    We spend half of our waking hours at work, yet we rarely stop to consider how work affects us mentally or emotionally. And the truth is, you can’t succeed in business or your career without mastering the psychological dynamics at play in relationships and within yourself.

    Using science and insights from psychotherapy, I show readers how to apply psychological principles to better understand themselves and others so that they can achieve greater professional and personal success…

    We spend half of our waking hours at work, yet we rarely stop to consider how work affects us mentally or emotionally. And the truth is, you can’t succeed in business or your career without mastering the psychological dynamics at play in relationships and within yourself.

    Using science and insights from psychotherapy, I show readers how to apply psychological principles to better understand themselves and others so that they can achieve greater professional and personal success.

    In my column, Psychology At Work, I provide actionable advice busy professionals can use to master their mindset and emotions. I also explore the invisible (and sometimes unconscious) dynamics that drive human behavior in the workplace – thoughts, beliefs, biases, and emotions

  • ConsumerMedical Graphic

    Director, Social Innovation

    ConsumerMedical

    - 2 years

  • eCaring Graphic

    Communications Director

    eCaring

    - 2 years 9 months

    New York, New York

  • The New York Academy of Medicine Graphic

    Communications Consultant

    The New York Academy of Medicine

    - 2 years 3 months

    New York, NY

Education

  • Columbia University Graphic

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Masters

    Activities and Societies: Columbia University Career Coaches Network

    The Columbia Career Coaches Network is a fee-based service of accredited professional alumni career coaches who help Columbia students and alumni reach their career goals.

  • Rutgers University Graphic

    Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick

    Bachelor's Psychology Valedictorian

    Activities and Societies: New Jersey Folk Festival, Psi Chi, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Delta Epsilon Iota, Cognitive Science Club, Big Buddy Mentor Program, Emerging Leaders Institute

    Awards and Honors:

    Rutgers College Dean’s List
    Rutgers College Honors Program
    Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipient
    Harriet and Robert Druskin Endowed Scholarship
    Jerome and Lorraine Aresty Research Scholarship
    Department of Psychology Cooper Scholarship
    Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences Dean’s List
    Personality Psychology Student Teaching Assistant
    Emerging Leaders Institute, “Most Dedicated Member” Award
    National Italian American…

    Awards and Honors:

    Rutgers College Dean’s List
    Rutgers College Honors Program
    Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipient
    Harriet and Robert Druskin Endowed Scholarship
    Jerome and Lorraine Aresty Research Scholarship
    Department of Psychology Cooper Scholarship
    Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences Dean’s List
    Personality Psychology Student Teaching Assistant
    Emerging Leaders Institute, “Most Dedicated Member” Award
    National Italian American Scholarship Recipient

Licenses & Certifications

  • Licensed Master of Social Work

    New York State

Volunteer Experience

  • Chapter Champion - Athletes for Alzheimer's

    Alzheimer's Association

    - 6 months

    Health

Skills

Publications

Honors & Awards

  • "Most Innovative Coaches" Award from Business Insider

    Business Insider

Organizations

  • Columbia University Alumni Association

    -

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