our founder: shannon polly
Shannon, MAPP is a leadership development facilitator, coach, speaker, author and founder of Lead Well++Work Well, a leadership development company in Washington, D.C. and has been selected as one of the capital’s top 20 executive coaches.
Shannon Polly, MAPP is one of the first 150 people in the world who have received their Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree from the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Martin Seligman. She has given keynotes for GE and Google and has facilitated in Kenya and Bangladesh.
Shannon, MAPP is a leadership development facilitator, coach, speaker, author and founder of Lead Well++Work Well, a leadership development company in Washington, D.C. and has been selected as one of the capital’s top 20 executive coaches.
Shannon Polly, MAPP is one of the first 150 people in the world who have received their Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree from the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Martin Seligman. She has given keynotes for GE and Google and has facilitated in Kenya and Bangladesh.
Our Services
Shannon uses the empirical research from Positive Psychology to help teams and organizations create flourishing workplaces.
Shannon works with Fortune 500 companies on leadership development using the science of positive psychology and the art of the theater to power her content.
She also serves individuals, guiding leaders to adopt the confidence to present themselves powerfully and overcome the anxiety of public speaking. Passionate about sharing the science of well-being, Shannon is dedicated to increasing the ‘tonnage of happiness’* in the world.
*Marty Seligman rephrased James Pawelski on his goal for 51% of human flourishing by 2051
Facilitating and coaching for 19+ years, Shannon is an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 500 hours of coaching experience.
- Shannon became one of the first 100 people in the world to receive her Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
- After receiving her degree from UPenn, she received her certification from the Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program.
- She is also a graduate of Yale University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
- One of the first 150 people in the world who have received their Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree from the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Martin Seligman.
- Holds a B.A. with honors from Yale University.
- Graduate of London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program.
- Contributing author to Positive Psychology News Daily, a contributor to the book Positive Psychology at Work (Wiley, March 2011), a contributing author (along with Dr. Martin Seligman) to European Handbook of Positive Psychology (2013), and the co-editor/co-author of Character Strengths Matter: How to Live a Full Life (2015).
- Keynote Speaker for GE and Google and has facilitated in Kenya and Bangladesh.
- Assistant Instructor in the MAPP program at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Curriculum developer for the higher education version of the movie, Happy
- Taught resilience to more than 1,000 Army sergeants for the Master Resilience Training (MRT) program for the U.S. Army. The Army is the largest consumer of positive psychology in the world today and has plans to train all 1.1 million soldiers in resilience.
"Shannon Polly is one of the most remarkable professionals I have experienced."
Shannon possesses a dazzling array of strengths which she uses to help her clients achieve tangible results. Her grasp of cutting-edge subjects in positive psychology, business, and leadership is as impressive as her delivery is compelling and memorable. Shannon is a mesmerizing and accessible presenter who combines the power of a Broadway actress with the comfort of your next door neighbor. As a professional coach and leadership trainer, Shannon has the right blend of confidence, compassion and drive to keep her clients focused on achieving realistic and attainable stretch goals.
Peter R. Worrell
The Landing School, Chairman Of The Board
