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Rosalind Wiseman            

Parenting & Bullying Expert; Bestselling Author of "Queen Bees and Wannabes"

Rosalind Wiseman has been on a quest: to help people put words to experiences they struggle to articulate and bring dignity back into our families, schools, work and communities. As a global thought leader, she speaks on leadership, conflict, communication, and youth culture at the highest levels of government, corporations, and educational institutions.

Wiseman is the bestselling author of nine books, including the New York Times bestsellers "Queen Bees and Wannabes" -- the inspiration for the "Mean Girls" movie and musical franchise -- and "Masterminds & Wingmen," named Best Parenting Book by Books for a Better Life. Her most recent book, published with co-author Shanterra McBride, is "Courageous Discomfort: How to Have Brave, Life Changing Conversations about Race and Racism." She also contributed to David Yeager’s "10 to 25: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation And Making Your Own Life Easier."

National media regularly depends on Wiseman’s expertise on principled leadership, conflict, youth culture, education, and parenting. She has been profiled in, or written for, The New York Times, Los Angeles, Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and USA Today, among others. A frequent guest on national media like the "TODAY," CNN, "Good Morning America," and NPR affiliates throughout the country, Wiseman has spoken to audiences throughout the United States and abroad, including SXSW, Microsoft, UBS, The Royal Society for the Arts, the Association for the Advancement of International Education, the Game Developers Conference, the American Association of School Administrators, and at the White House.

Wiseman serves as a senior leadership consultant at the US State Department’s Office for Overseas Schools, which serves over 195 schools throughout the world and as a consultant at the Texas Science Behavior and Mind Institute. She is a board member of the Johnson Depression Center at Colorado University Anschutz Medical Center.

Speech Topics


Rewriting Our Invisible Operating Systems: How to Motivate, Create, and Do Our Best Work

Doesn’t it feel like the world is filled with disrespect? That if we could all just treat each other decently, most of our problems would go away? In this thought-provoking and entertaining presentation, Rosalind Wiseman reveals how to turn moments of disrespect and miscommunication into opportunities for rebuilding trust, connection and personal growth. Through a blend of humor and practical insights, she empowers us to transform our relationships—whether at work, home, school or in our communities.

Join Rosalind as she guides us to break free from unhelpful patterns and adopt powerful, principled strategies that allow us thrive both individually and collectively.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Understanding the "Invisible Operating System" that shapes how we communicate in conflict

  • Recognizing how this system influences our reactions in challenging situations

  • Distinguishing between respect and dignity to transform relationships

  • Mastering essential skills to navigate difficult or uncomfortable conversations with success

  • Discovering actionable strategies to foster more meaningful connections in both personal and professional relationships

Beyond Mean Girls: Empowering Women to Thrive in Work and Life

Despite the efforts to empower women in the workplace, many still struggle with deeply ingrained social conditioning from adolescence. Without realizing it, we may find it hard to advocate for ourselves, communicate assertively, or face difficult conversations for fear of seeming uncooperative or mean. Until we confront this conditioning, we risk undermining our own success and ability to uplift one another. Work doesn’t have to feel like middle school—we can break these patterns and unlock our full potential.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Redefining the “rules” around anger and using it as a powerful tool in conflict

  • Developing the skills to advocate for yourself with confidence

  • Navigating group dynamics when others aren’t contributing equally

  • Mastering assertiveness and standing up for yourself

  • Embracing your authority and stepping into leadership roles with confidence and generosity

From Frustration to Connection: Bridging the Generation Gap

Many young people today feel disconnected from older generations, believing their experiences and challenges are too different to be understood. Meanwhile, those who teach, manage, or mentor them often struggle with frustration and failed attempts to connect, leading to misunderstandings and disconnection.

To bridge this generational divide, we need effective communication strategies that resonate with younger people. We must understand what motivates them—and why they sometimes shut us out.

Drawing on the most current brain and behavioral research and over 25 years of experience, Rosalind Wiseman provides the answers. She will help you break through stereotypes and assumptions to effectively work with, mentor, teach, parent, and connect with the next generation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Insights from the latest research on young people's motivation, status, and "earned prestige"

  • Understanding the protector, enforcer, and mentor mindsets

  • Practical scripts to avoid power struggles and miscommunication when giving feedback

Every Moment Counts: Building Leadership Through Challenge and Conflict

People are asking for, and sometimes demanding, leadership roles in new and innovative ways. But few of us are equipped to seize crucial leadership moments when they arise. Rosalind shares how to transform leadership challenges and crises into moments of where meaningful and substantive change becomes a reality.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Redefining leadership beyond formal titles or roles

  • Distinguishing between leadership and being bossy

  • Cultivating a sense of belonging so everyone feels their contributions matter

  • Managing conflict as a leader and turning challenges into opportunities for increased group cohesion and effectiveness

Courageous Discomfort: Having Brave, Life-Changing Conversations

In today’s world, it can feel overwhelming or intimidating to step into difficult conversations and make a real difference. This presentation empowers you to engage in honest dialogue, even in situations where most stay silent or only a few dominate.

Key Takeaways:

  • Distinguishing between a curious question and one that escalates conflict

  • Building skills for giving and receiving constructive feedback

  • Understanding emotional regulation, emotional hijacking, and the role of boundaries

  • Turning discomfort into meaningful, productive conversations

Raising Our Village: Creating a Culture of Dignity With Young People

As young people navigate a rapidly changing world, one thing remains clear: supportive relationships and strong social skills are vital to their emotional well-being. These are not "soft skills" -- they are essential for students to thrive academically and emotionally. From managing friendships, anxiety, and social media, to handling conflicts and the relentless pressure to "keep up," this presentation offers key insights and strategies to connect with young people—especially when they need it most.

Key Takeaways:

  • The latest research on brain development and its impact on emotions and social dynamics

  • Understanding loyalty and boundaries in friendships and relationships

  • The critical difference between dignity and respect in building trust with young people

  • Practical strategies to foster resilience and growth

  • Effective communication techniques to prevent power struggles and build stronger connections

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Media Literacy (for educators or students)

Social Justice & Ethical Leadership

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News


Mean girls are getting younger - CNN.com
Rosalind Wiseman, author of the New York Times bestseller "Queenbees and Wannabes," which was the basis for the movie "Mean Girls," believes we are ...
'Boys Have Deep Emotional Lives' - Hope Reese - The Atlantic
Before Rosalind Wiseman's 2002 book Queen Bees and Wannabes was published, her agent asked if she would talk to a woman named Tina Fey. Wiseman, a ...

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