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!

Saturday Surprise: Emotional Intelligence = Staying Calm Under Attack!…

I keep thinking about this chill dog getting his nose chewed on…and somehow looking like he’s meditating.

It’s a fun visual for one of the most underrated skills in leadership:

🌞 Self-regulation.

The ability to stay grounded when you’re getting chewed on --
or chewed out.

A few go-to tools that can help us keep our cool:
• Deep breaths -- yes, they actually work
• Stretch, move, & exercise -- because our bodies need soothing, too
• Remind yourself of your goal & purpose
• Recall a past disaster you survived: “If I got through that, I can handle this...”

Yes, AI may take over a bunch of tasks,
but staying calm when someone’s metaphorically (or literally) chewing on your face?

👉 That’s still a human job.

And there’s good news: Emotional intelligence isn’t fixed.
It’s a learnable skill with an incredible ROI for us all.

Better relationships.
More trust.
Wiser decisions.
A calmer, more grounded version of you -- at work & at home.

📌 Thanks for leading with emotional intelligence & bringing it to all of life.
It matters more than ever!

♻️ Repost to share self-regulation & emotional intelligence with your network!
      Video credit: @FUNFACTORY.REELS

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 -- Tips so you can thrive! International speaker. Coach & author. Kindness advocate. Published in HBR, JAMA, Psych Today. Faculty Associate Ross Business School.

Kindness Is Food We All Need!...

Like this duck feeding his fish friends...

No agenda.
No expectation.
Just…giving.

😋 Kindness feeds everyone involved.

It boosts emotional health.
Strengthens connections.
And builds the kind of trust we can’t automate.

And the best part?
It doesn’t require grand gestures.

We can share Kindness with:
• A genuine smile
• A heartfelt “thank you”
• A quick word of encouragement
• Noticing someone’s strength -- and naming it

☀️ That’s emotional intelligence in action.

And we can do it daily,
At work. With colleagues. At home.

We hear a lot about AI these days.
But here’s an important question:
Is it helping us be kinder?

Thanks for every moment you choose kindness.
👉 It matters more than you know.

📌 Repost to share kindness & inspiration!
      Video credit: @FLUFFIES.DUCK

Kindness is Emotional Intelligence in Everyday Life!...

Long after the fact, this chimp didn’t forget...
When he spotted the man who showed him kindness, 
He remembered him with a hug!

That’s the thing about kindness:
It sticks in our hearts – we feel it long after the moment has passed.

And often EI & kindness ripple, traveling farther than we’ll ever know.

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence helps us in many ways:
 ➡️ We see a need others might miss
 ➡️ We know when and how to offer with empathy & compassion
 ➡️ We take action that helps heal & brings hope

The ROI of EI & kindness?
Trust. Connection. And Loyalty.

One small act today could be someone’s lasting for tomorrow & beyond.

Yes, AI is powerful and useful in many ways, 
But I believe we’ll always need human kindness & EI.

📌 What ripples of kindness might we start today?...

♻️ Consider reposting to share kindness & inspiration!
      Video credit: @PAPAYE.INTERNATIONAL

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

Emotionally Intelligent Self-care Isn’t Selfish. It’s Essential – For Us All!..

Watch animals and you’ll see emotional intelligence in action:
They soothe themselves & shake off stress.
They rest without guilt.
They connect instinctively.

Us Humans? We often try to power through…until we can’t.

But here’s the truth:
Self-care is how we regulate, how we connect, and how we build the relationships that help sustain us.

And it doesn’t require a ton of time or 100 new habits.
 
It’s the small stuff done consistently:
• Slowing our breath and lengthening the exhale
• Taking short, healthy breaks -- especially outdoors
• Moving our body, even for a few minutes
• Reconnecting with meaning & purpose
• Sharing real laughter -- about kids, pets, and real-life stories

Animals do it naturally.
We can, too.

And Leaders take note:
Self-care becomes culture when we model it -- during work hours, in expectations, and in the way we show up.

Self-care isn’t indulgence.
It’s wisdom.

📌 Wishing you a week filled with all that keeps you energized, grounded & human!

♻️ Repost to share inspiration and self-care with your network!
      Video credit: @FAISALMAGNET

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