Steve Gross Speaker Biography
Steve Gross, M.S.W., is the Founder and Chief Playmaker of the Life is Good Kids Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that partners with leading childcare organizations to positively impact the quality of care delivered to the most vulnerable children. Steve is a leader in the field of psychological trauma response and a pioneer in utilizing playful engagement and meaningful relationships to overcome the devastating impact of early childhood trauma.
Steve’s talents have been called upon to respond to some of the greatest catastrophes of our time, including the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, and the 2012 Newtown school shooting. At the heart of his work, Steve helps others discover the power of optimism so that they can build resilience and bring greater joy, connection, courage and creativity to their lives.
Superpowers for Success in Business & Life
When people think about superpowers, they usually think about the ones that they read about in comic books. Superhuman strength, X-ray vision, and the ability to fly, are just a few examples of what we usually think about when we hear the word ‘superpower.’ Sadly, superhuman strength and x-ray vision have proven to be of little help in combating many of the 21st century challenges that affect every organization. The good news is that that we are all able to tap into superpowers such as: gratitude, optimism, creativity, authenticity, and courage. Superman can’t teach you to fly, but during Steve’s high energy presentations he teaches you how to use the superpowers we already have inside each of us.
Lead with Optimism (and the Results Will Follow)
Steve Gross explores how everyone can bring out the best in their team and organization by leading with optimism, creativity, and love (you read that right, love). In this inspiring, moving and entertaining presentation, Steve shares research and first-hand lessons that demonstrate how optimistic leaders inspire and energize everyone around them – especially in challenging, change-filled times. He will introduce the concept that “play” is not something you do, but rather a spirit you bring to everything you do, and he will provide practical advice for accessing and cultivating that playful, opt
How Joy and Optimism Ignite the Best in All of Us
Steve Gross is serious about play – and its tremendous benefits for all people and the organizations where they work. The Life is good Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization that for twenty years has used play to help children overcome life threatening challenges such as violence, illness and severe poverty. A recognized expert and pioneer in utilizing exuberant, joyful play to promote resiliency in children, he has extended those insights to adults, reconnecting them to the passionate, joyful and playful selves that enable them to be their best in and out of the workplace. Through fascinating research, first-hand lessons learned in his crisis response efforts following 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake and turmoil in the Middle East, and his uniquely humorous and participatory engagement with audiences, Steve demonstrates how to use playfulness to energize individuals, teams and organizations – especially in challenging, change-filled times – allowing them to reach their full potential.
