Inspiration
“Jean was our highest-rated speaker at the Municipal Management Association of Northern California conference as a result of her inspirational, creative and entertaining speech.”
— Ryan DeVore, PE, MBA, Director of Community Development at City of Sacramento
Motivation
“Choosing the right motivational speaker is a little like choosing the right doctor. Jean was definitely the right person at the right time to address our sales organization. Her message was uplifting and self-affirming.”
— Steve Arnold, Director of Business Development, Herff Jones, Inc.
Engaging
“Expect an Awe-Inspiring and Engaging experience with Jean Steel’s keynote address. LeadingAge Georgia/South Carolina members were spell bound by her energy which truly ignited the opening of our conference in 2015!”
— Jacque Thornton, Senior Vice President at LeadingAge Georgia / Georgia Institute on Aging
Fun
“Her style is fun, interactive and focused. Jean is personable and creates a non-threatening learning environment and in laymen’s terms “keeps it real” which is probably one reason we keep inviting her back for speaking opportunities.”
— Lulu Rosales, Director, Organizational Effectiveness, Huntington Hospital
Jean Steel Keynotes
Jean Steel is an engaging and enthusiastic speaker, whose universal appeal makes her message timely and timeless. She has a knack for providing information in a humorous and fun way. Her belief is that laughter and learning are not mutually exclusive. Her motivational talks and keynotes are in high demand.
Happy Employees Trainings
Happy Employees Win is designed to improve the working environment for both employees and employers. We focus on understanding the other person’s point of view and creating a strong sense of accountability in the workplace.
Worksite
Host Jean at YOUR location. YOUR Date, YOUR Time, YOUR Topics! Sky’s the limit! (No nudity!)
Webinar
Give your company the benefits of Jean’s trainings without the travel, expense and logistical issues of attending a live workshop.
Personalized Training Videos
Have us create a personalized video specifically for you – your business and your needs. Yours to own, available for you to show current and future employees.
Jean's Books

Why I am writing – 911 Resilience Skills for First Responders. (Coming Soon…)
I have been volunteering for a number of years speaking to the Emergency Medical Services Academy on the power and importance of resilience. A critical life skill for us all, especially for our first responders. I am now working on creating a semester class for the Fire, Police and EMS Academy’s on this very topic. Since I couldn‘t find the perfect book that fit for the class – I am writing my own. I will be covering all kinds of topics including gratitude, mindfulness, change, optimism, self-compassion and grit. Stay tuned.
Why I Wrote I’d Like to Run Wild…
Years ago a Hospice nurse told me an amazing story. They had a client who was in her late 80s and had suffered a stroke that left her bedridden and unable to speak.
They communicated with her through written messages. Handing the woman a clipboard asking “How do you feel?” Some days she was too tired to write, other days a smile or a sad face. One day she took the pen and wrote and wrote. Her response? “I’d like to run wild.” Not I wish I could walk or talk, but “I’d like to run wild!” I cried, both for her and for us. Most of us have the capacity to run wild, but how many of us do it? Are we too mature, too sophisticated? Too busy? Too educated? What’s holding us back?
I knew this would be the title of my book and I knew I needed to sit down and write it. When I finished it, I ran wild.
I run wild every chance I get.
Why I Wrote Need Change?…
About a dozen years ago I got a call from a hospital rep interested in hiring me to do a customer service training. I told him thanks for thinking of me but customer service was one topic I didn’t cover. A month later I got the same request from the same guy… who got the same reply. Customer service? Nope, I don’t offer that.
He was persistent (a quality I like). “We think you do,” he said.
I thought about it. Every day I’m a customer somewhere, and I do notice how I’m treated. But being aware doesn’t make me qualified to teach it, does it? I teach communication. And attitude. And listening. And body language. And dealing with difficult people.
Wait, maybe I do teach customer service.
So I met with them and agreed to develop and teach their customer service program. I read lots of books, learned the principles, and infused my existing workshops with current customer service stats, fun facts, and scary/funny true stories. In the end, what I wanted to impart is the critical difference between good customer service and great customer service. If you love what you do, if you are positive, if you communicate well—that’s good. If you go above and beyond—a practice usually fueled by an excellent working environment and supportive management—that’s great.
So I have been teaching customer service sessions for years and decided, I have tons of free time, why not write a book? And I did.
My sister Suzie is my artist for my books and presentations. On the side, when not working for me (unpaid) she is a critical care nurse, flying in a life-flight helicopter.
Client Testimonials
Jean Steel is an inspiring speaker who captures the audience and takes them on a laugh-filled, enriching ride which culminates in wonderful take-home ideas that are easily within reach of any audience member. She is our most highly rated conference keynote.
Jeanette Shea, Jeanette Shea & Associates, ArizonaAs a meeting planner, Jean and Jenny are some of my most favorite people to work with. Jean is someone I could schedule to be onstage during that afternoon lull and within minutes, the audience would come back to life. Laughter would be filling the room and afterwards, Jean and her message would be the buzz of the conference. Our post-conference surveys are always glowing with feedback about how much they enjoyed Jean.
Derek Anderson, Director of Marketing and Communications, Washington Association of CountiesIf you are looking to add a large, healthy dose of positive energy and expertise to your conference, workshop, or training, I would highly recommend Jean Steel and Happy People Win!
Deborah Kelch, Executive Director Insure the Uninsured ProjectJean is amazing! She is irrepressibly happy and so different than any other business speaker. Her advice is practical and immediately functional. I am a better manager and employee as a result
Robyn Adkins, Practice Administrator, SLO SmilesI have to say she is the most motivational, thought provoking and interesting speaker I’ve had the privilege to hear in my professional career.
Russell Wittmeier Human Resources Director, Chico State EnterprisesJean customized a curriculum after interviewing our executive team. Jean is delightful, interesting and funny as a presenter. She knows just how to deliver those hard hitting bits of advice. And, perhaps most importantly, her content was immediately relevant and applicable for our team. We received so many comments of gratitude and reflection from our team.
Ryan Miller, President, Etna interactiveI have had the great fortune to attend several of her workshops on customer service, personal happiness, and team building through my veterinary hospital and through Rotary. I keep going back for more. She’s an amazing and inspirational speaker with a captivating wit and has been a tremendous resource to my businesses.
Dr. Joel Conn, Owner, Pismo Beach Veterinary ClinicYour seminars were outstanding and well received by staff, they were “on message,” entertaining and interactive—a tremendously entertaining speaker.
Dr. R.G. Santa Barbara, Goleta Valley Cottage HospitalThank you from the bottom of every student’s heart. You were an overwhelming hit with our students. One student said, “The keynote topic and speaker were so good, and so short. I felt like I wanted to hear more.” It seems every student got the message your were sending. I am so pleased that you made an impact on our students and they enjoyed their day more because of you.
M.L, Santa Barbara County Education OfficeJean, you were awesome and the evaluations support it. We all enjoyed your class and the positive impact you made on so many of us in a short period of time. Many thanks to you and the work you do.
A.K, Montecito Bank & TrustIt is a rare treat for us to be able to schedule so many of our staff for training, much less the caliber of training that you provide. They are singing your praises.
P.L, Lompoc Healthcare DistrictJean is an energy shot and a positive attitude adjustment all wrapped up in a in a package of humor, intelligence, and practicality. She has also received uniformly rave reviews from every person I know who has attended one of her presentations.
Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, San Luis ObispoJean rocks it out of the park with her keynotes and various breakout sessions. At our annual conference in April she sold out of her books due to the high-demand for her materials. Our conference attendees raved about her! We were told by many participants that Jean was one of the best Keynotes/presenters they have seen.
Crystal Keenan, Deputy Director, Arizona ALFAWOW, WOW, WOW….Our conference was a huge success, Jean, largely because of your humor, your energy, and your message. Our attendees loved you in Pasco! Not only am I, personally, looking forward to working with you again, but I would enthusiastically recommend you to all of our LeadingAge state affiliates as well as any other long-term care organizations! Thank you!!!!
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education and Member Development at LeadingAge WashingtonHire Jean Steel
Contact Jean to book a keynote speaker or an employee training.
805.931.0932
gethappy@happypeoplewin.com