Dr. DPF Consulting

Keynotes & Coaching: Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Career Transitions

University of Michigan Health System

Certified Executive Coach and Master Coach
Experienced teacher of Coaching, Leadership
Wellness, Resilience, EI, & Humor

Executive Coach

University of Michigan

Clinical, teaching, and research. Now retired from radiology.

Professor of Radiology

Retired at 55 -- to spread Joy! | Well-being, Burnout & EI Expert | Keynotes & Coaching | HBR, JAMA & Psych Today Contributor | Faculty Associate Ross Business School | Book coming in 2024!...

Hi -- I'm David -- great to meet You!

I blend the science of well-being with emotional intelligence to help you feel more energized  and have even more success.

My journey: I stopped practicing medicine to help PREVENT illness and burnout. I speak internationally, coach doctors & leaders, and publish on wellness, EI, & resiliency. I became a coach after working with a great one, so I know from personal experience how helpful it can be. While it's usually not a quick process, I expect you'll notice at least a bit more energy & ease soon after we start. 

I'm a Faculty Associate at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business & a former professor of Radiology at the University of Michigan. I have a bachelor's from Harvard and an M.D. from the University of Michigan. I'm also a graduate of the Second City Improv Conservatory & a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. 

For more about my coaching & keynotes, & for links to my published HBR, JAMA, & Psychology Today articles, see my website:  https://www.davidfessell.com. 

My 1st book was published in Sept. 2024, available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Create-Happiness-Every-Day/dp/B0DFVNLN79/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PNNLSL6LPCVK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SvSXxdjiBfYJEcb5mbgvwA.wBSNoHIztCSjSu36KUI175bFpdYEYj2SdnaaRnj77d0&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+fessell+book&qid=1730210124&sprefix=fessell%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1

Wishing you peace, health, & happiness in abundance!

Kindness Is Not Forgotten!…

These puppies remember their first experience with kindness. It came from this kind soul who delivered them into this world…

And isn’t it great to see their gratitude -- & happy tails! -- in action? 

We remember the smallest forms of kindness,
And often they have an outsized impact, lifting us when we need it, inspiring us, & encouraging us.

Let’s share some kindness today, with a warm smile, a genuine compliment, a helping hand, or a listening ear.

For it might just be what someone needs today. 

👉 And thanks for all the ways YOU share KINDNESS!

📌 Repost to share kindness & inspiration with your network
Video credit: @PUBITY

David Fessell, MD

My writing, keynotes, and workshops blend mindfulness and emotional intelligence with the neuroscience of wellness. I believe in thriving, and helping others flourish. Simple things like taking in the good and savoring it make a difference. Awe, gratitude and humor are favorites--please do share some today.

As a graduate of the Second City Improv Conservatory, I know the transformative power of humor. After retiring as a Radiologist at the University of Michigan in August 2021, I'm focusing on spreading strategies for wellness. I'm honored to be a Faculty Associate at the Center for Positive Organizations at Michigan's Ross School of Business. 

Learning, creativity, & curiosity energize me. I'm happy to say I recently completed a 2-year program to become a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. Many thanks to Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach for leading this training.

For more resources and details about my coaching, webinars & articles, see:  https://www.davidfessell.com

Thank you and be well!

Emotional Intelligence, Leadership & Creativity -- Strategies & tips for thriving! International speaker. Coach & author. Kindness advocate. Published in HBR, JAMA, Psych Today. Faculty Associate Ross Business School.

Sebastião Rodrigues

Emotional Intelligence = Attunement in Action!...

A street musician notices a toddler watching her
She turns to face him
Kneels to his level

And plays a melody that gets him dancing!

That’s emotional intelligence.
Not theory.
Not jargon.
Presence. Attunement. Connection.

We all get chances like this -- with colleagues, partners, friends, strangers.
To slow down.
See someone.
Meet them where they are.
Help them feel valued, respected, seen.

AI might rewrite emails faster than we do,
But can it help someone feel seen & respected?

Let’s keep choosing attunement.
In big ways and small.
Because being truly seen?
That changes people.

📌 Thanks for all the ways you share EI & attune!

Repost to share inspiration and EI with your network!
Video credit: @MEMES.FOR_YOU855

Emotional Intelligence, Leadership & Creativity -- Strategies & tips so you can thrive! International speaker. Coach & author. Published in HBR, JAMA, Psych Today. Faculty Associate Ross Business School.

A Genuine Smile = Emotional Intelligence in Action!...

This little guy gets it --
He realizes he’s in the spotlight…
…and offers up a smile!

A small move -- and big signal. 
You wanted him to smile, didn’t you?... 😊 

Because a smile lifts. It energizes. 
It shifts the entire vibe of a moment.

And it’s a gift any of us can offer --
to colleagues, clients, acquaintances, friends, family…all in our orbit.

👉 A smile says:
“I see you. You matter. Here’s some good vibes coming your way.”

And the ripple effect is real. A smile can change someone’s day.
It can spark new conversations,
It can lead to new ideas, connections, creativity, even innovation.

A smile builds trust.
It creates psychological safety.
It deepens relationships.

It’s emotional intelligence in action.

AI can compute, optimize, and automate.
But it can’t smile.

We can.

📌 So, here’s to sharing more warmth, more kindness, and smiles today!

Repost to share a smile! ♻️ 
Video credit: @HOUSEOFHIGHLIGHTS

Opportunities for Kindness Are All Around Us…

Sometimes they happen in a flash, 
like this teen stepping up to help without being asked.

It doesn’t take much.
Just a few seconds.
A choice to care instead of rush.

I’ll never forget a day like that in my own life.
I was around this teen’s age, going through a rough stretch, when a small act of kindness -- a smile and a warm hello from someone I barely knew -- completely shifted my day, bringing light and warmth.

Life is challenging for many right now.
We all carry unseen weights.

But kindness…

Kindness softens the sharp edges.
It gives people a glimpse of hope — a reminder that better days are possible.

Here are a few simple ways we can share some today:
👉 A quick text or call to check in
👉 A visit, a listening ear, or a genuine compliment
👉 Giving our full presence to the person in front of us

It’s easy to underestimate how much it matters.
But those tiny moments? They ripple.
They remind us of our shared humanity.

Every time I see kindness in action, I feel inspired.
It's strength wrapped in gentleness, offered as a gift.

So let’s keep showing up with kindness.
It costs little, and its impact can last a lifetime.

Big thanks to everyone making the world a little softer, 
One kind moment at a time!

📌 Repost to share the warmth of Kindness!...
     Video credit: @MAJICALLYNEWS
     Audio credit: Gregory Alan Isakov – Sweet Heat Lightning

Emotional Intelligence, Leadership & Creativity -- Strategies & tips so you can thrive! International speaker. Coach & author. Kindness advocate. Pubs in HBR, JAMA, Psych Today. Faculty Associate Ross Business School.

Trust = Emotional Intelligence in Action!...

Sometimes, it looks like this: A dog doing a mini trust fall into the arms of his person.
No hesitation. No second-guessing.
Just trust → action → connection.

That’s what happens when relationships are built with care & emotional intelligence.

In work and in life, trust is the foundation for speed, creativity & bold moves.
It lets teams take risks, collaborate deeply, & build amazing things.

Leaders who earn trust don’t do it with slogans. They do it with habits:
✅ Transparency over mystery
✅ Reliability over drama
✅ Growth over comfort
✅ “I trust you,” instead of “Prove it to me.”

Small moments. Big impact.

When people feel trusted, they don’t just show up -- they bring their best.

So today, a little reminder from man’s best friend:
Trust first. Trust often. And trust out loud.

📌 A big shout-out to leaders & everyone who builds trust instead of demanding it. You’re the ones creating places where people -- & ideas -- can land safely.

♻️ Repost to share trust & emotional intelligence in action!
      Video credit: @FETCHDOGGEAR

The Best Moments in Life?...

They’re rarely solo…
They’re usually shared, with good vibes echoing all around.

Laughter multiplies when we’re with others. It’s not a solo thing.
These pups get it -- sprinting through the water, fully alive together.

And it’s the same for us.
We thrive in connection.
We laugh more, learn more, & live more fully when we share the moment.

Building strong relationships doesn’t have to be complicated:
 → Extend an invitation: “Join me for…”
 → Lead with empathy, kindness, & curiosity.
 → Listen to understand, not to reply.

Sure, AI can amaze us,
But it can’t replace the spark of shared laughter,
or the warmth of genuine connection?

If you want friends, be a friend.
Bring a playful spirit and an open heart.
Because joy shared is joy amplified.

👉 I’m curious: What’s your favorite way to cultivate deeper relationships?

📌 Repost to share the playful vibes of joyful companionship!
Video credit: @OOYIIKU
Audio credit: New Radicals – You Get What You Give

Boosting Belonging = Leadership in Action!

“All the World’s a Stage…” 
And great leaders?
They know their role well.

Often, it takes but small gestures —
A simple “come join us”,
A nod of recognition,
A moment to voice another’s strengths.

When leaders act with emotional intelligence,
When they attune to others’ hearts & headspace,
They weave connection like fine tapestry.

And what follows is magic:
 👉 Trust deepens…
 👉 Creativity blooms…
 👉 Work transforms from burden to belonging.

This is no idle fancy — it’s the stuff of strong teams,
Better retention, brighter morale, & bolder ideas.

Sure, AI can calculate & do amazing things,
But can it warm the human spirit?
Can it summon belonging with a nod, a well-placed word, a smile?

That, dear colleagues, remains our most noble craft.

So, tell me –
📌 How do you invite others to belong?

♻️ Hit “repost” to share belonging with your network!
Video credit: @LUCIEOURADOVA.CZ
Audio credit: Alex Warren - Ordinary

Leadership Without Words –
A True Story and A Message for Us All!...
 
Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen was holding her 4-month-old while speaking at a press conference.
 
Congressman Jim Clyburn stepped up, holding her baby, allowing her to speak with both hands & full presence.
No words needed.
 
 That’s Servant Leadership -- and Emotional Intelligence in Action:
 ➡️ Awareness that sees a need
 ➡️ Offering effective & timely support
 ➡️ No fanfare or words needed
 
It only took a moment, 
And clearly made a difference.
For all who were present, and all who see this.

And no AI involved -- or needed!
 
True leadership isn’t about status, power, or control.
It’s about presence, care and helping others rise.
 
 👉 What’s the best act of leadership you've seen recently?
 
 ♻️ Repost to your network to share leadership & EI in action!
 Video credit: @PEOPLECHOOSINGKINDNESS
 Audio credit: Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful Life

Cheering Others On = Emotional Intelligence in Action!...

Look at this kid chasing the bubble -- pure joy, pure encouragement --
And so wonderful to see others celebrating his success!

Here’s the thing: We can create that same energy at work.
When we cheer for our colleagues, teammates, leaders, & friends, we’re doing more than being “nice.”

We’re practicing emotional intelligence...
We’re saying: I see you. I value you. I’m celebrating you.

We all want to feel recognized for who we are at our best.
And a simple moment of acknowledgment can be a game-changer.
Celebrating good news more than doubles the joy.

Here are a few easy ways to make it happen:
1. Add “Kudos” as an agenda item in team meetings
2. Drop by someone’s desk and say, “Hey, I heard the news—great job!”
3. As leaders: celebrate wins early, often, and publicly

These small gestures build connection, belonging, and trust.
And they remind people they matter. 

👉 That’s emotional intelligence in action.
📌 What’s your favorite way to celebrate others?

♻️ Repost to share EI in action!
      Video credit: @GLACEFACE

Emotional Intelligence in Action = Embracing the Good!...

The glow of the aurora…
Leaves turning fire-red and gold…
The quiet peace of first snowfall…

Wonder isn’t rare.
Awareness is.

Our brains are wired to detect danger, not beauty.
That has helped us survive,
But it can also keep us stuck in stress, urgency, and overthinking.

To thrive today, we need a new skill:
Savoring the Good -- On Purpose.

Like when we Pause.
Notice.
And really let it land.

When we do this, our nervous system resets.
Our breathing slows.
Our presence returns.
Life feels lighter again.

It’s the self-regulation component of emotional intelligence in action.

Kids and pets do it naturally -- awe is their default setting.
And awe isn’t out there somewhere.
It’s here. Today. All around us.

📌 So I'm curious: What’s one positive surprise you’ve experienced recently?

♻️ Repost to share Awe, Wonder, and the Power of Positive Surprises!
Video credit: @VINCENTLEDVINA

Creativity isn’t Magic — It’s Perspective!...

Sometimes it’s as simple as adding a new twist -- like this moment in Times Square where water transforms a street scene into a fresh & colorful surprise.

Other times it’s about shifting our viewpoint — going higher, lower, or sideways.

And often, it’s about combining familiar things in unfamiliar ways. (e.g. the smartphone, fusing phone + camera + computer.)

One of my favorite tools for unlocking fresh ideas is SCAMPER — a simple framework for breaking patterns and seeing possibilities we might miss.

👉 Here’s How It Works:
S: Substitute 
Swap one element for another.
 Example: Starbucks substituting standard counter service with barista-style personalization.

C: Combine 
Fuse two concepts into something new.
 Example: The iPhone merging phone + internet device + iPod into one revolutionary product.

A: Adapt 
Borrow an idea from a different industry.
 Example: Netflix adapting the subscription model from gyms and magazines to reinvent entertainment.

M: Magnify / Modify
Enhance, intensify, or transform an existing idea.
 Example: GoPro transforming the traditional camera into a rugged, mount-anywhere action device.

P: Put to a Different Use
Repurpose something for a new function.
 Example: Post-it Notes were born from a “failed” adhesive, reimagined into a global office essential.

E: Eliminate / Minify
Remove complexity to reveal something cleaner or more powerful.
 Example: Apple eliminating the physical smartphone keyboard, creating the full-screen experience that changed everything.

R: Rearrange / Reverse
Flip the logic or sequence to spark something new.
 Example: Airbnb reversing the hospitality model—people provide the beds & the platform provides the guests.
 
Creativity often comes with small shifts -- new angles, bold edits, surprising reversals.
Sure, AI is fun and powerful, but there's nothing like human creativity!

📌 What’s one way you could use SCAMPER this week to jump start your creativity?

Repost and share a creative spark with your network! ♻️ 
Video credit: @YUSHI.95

This is Leadership & Emotional Intelligence in Action! --
Big thanks for sharing and don't miss this wonderful story!!!...

Psychotherapist

Just came across this story.  When love and compassion ignite action, we are reminded of what it means to release indifference and embrace being human.

Reposted from Gianna Manca:

"He was 88, a veteran, and about to lose his home. He sat in his wheelchair and wept... then the judge stepped down from the bench.  Arthur, an 88-year-old Vietnam veteran, sat in his wheelchair in the back of the courtroom. His wife was gone, he had no children, and his small house was falling apart. He'd been cited for code violations he couldn't afford to fix—a broken porch, peeling paint, and a leaking roof.  The judge, a 65-year-old man known for his stern, "by-the-book" rulings, called his case.  Arthur listened, his hands trembling, as the city attorney listed the violations and the thousands in fines. When the attorney formally requested the court's permission to condemn the property if the fines weren't paid, the finality of it hit him. This was it. He was losing his home.
The judge began to speak. "Mr. Harris, the city is asking for... He stopped. He just looked at the frail old man, who had now buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking in a silent, heartbreaking sob.  The courtroom went quiet. The judge, his own face tightening with emotion, looked conflicted. "We will take a 15-minute recess," he announced abruptly, banging his gavel.
When he returned, the courtroom was buzzing. The judge looked not at the attorneys, but directly at Arthur.  "Mr. Harris," the judge said, his voice softer now. "I spent my recess on the phone. I have spoken with the director of the local VFW, who is a friend of mine, and with our county's Veterans' fund. All fines are hereby dismissed."  Arthur looked up, his face a mask of stunned disbelief.  "Furthermore," the judge continued, "a local contractor's union has already pledged to do all the repairs, pro bono, starting next week."  This second wave of kindness was too much. Arthur, who had been crying from despair, now broke down in tears of overwhelming relief. The judge then did something no one had ever seen. He stepped down from his high bench, walked directly to the wheelchair, and pulled the old soldier into a full, strong hug.  As Arthur wept into the judge's robe, he whispered, his voice trembling, "I... I didn't think anybody cared anymore."  The judge held him tighter and whispered back, his voice thick: "We do. I do. You served us."

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