DEBORAH GRAYSON RIEGEL: Competitive Public Speaking, Executive Coaching, and Authenticity in Your Content

In this episode of Press Record, I chat with Deborah Grayson Riegel, an accomplished executive coach and speaker with a background in competitive public speaking.  Deborah shares her strategies for business success, including keeping expenses low and focusing on her strengths while delegating other tasks. We also explore the impact of social media on her work, with Deborah emphasizing authenticity and the personal-professional balance she maintains online. Additionally, the conversation touches on work-life balance, the importance of aligning work with personal values, and advice for those seeking fulfillment in their careers

Deborah Grayson Riegel is a keynote speaker and consultant who teaches leadership communication for Wharton Business School and Columbia Business School. She is a regular contributor for Harvard Business Review, Inc., Psychology Today, Forbes, and Fast Company. The author of “Overcoming Overthinking: 36 Ways to Tame Anxiety for Work, School, and Life,” she consults and speaks for clients including Amazon, BlackRock, KraftHeinz, and The United States Army. Her work has been featured in worldwide media, including Bloomberg Businessweek, Oprah Magazine, and The New York Times.

Find Deborah Grayson Riegel online:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraysonriegel/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Deborah-Grayson-Riegel
Deborah's Website - https://deborahgraysonriegel.com

Timestamps:

The competitive public speaking years (00:00:00)
Deborah's experiences as a competitive public speaker in high school and her national championship loss to a future Supreme Court justice.

Introduction and background (00:01:11)
Deborah's career as a keynote speaker, consultant, and writer, and her work in leadership communication for business schools.

Deborah's work as an executive coach (00:02:28)
Her role as an executive coach, workshop facilitator, and speaker focusing on communication skills, feedback, and navigating difficult conversations.

The process of executive coaching (00:03:48)
The process of matching an executive with a coach, the coaching duration, and the importance of chemistry between the coach and the client.

Balancing coaching clients (00:07:26)
Deborah's approach to managing multiple coaching clients while also engaging in speaking engagements and workshops.

The early years of public speaking (00:10:05)
Deborah's early passion for public speaking, her experiences in high school speech and debate, and her transition to comedy and improv in college.

Training and skills in public speaking (00:13:33)
The skills and training involved in public speaking competitions, including speech writing, delivery, body language, and handling interruptions.

Transition to entrepreneurship (00:16:55)
Deborah's realization of her passion for training and staff development, leading to her transition to entrepreneurship and founding her own business.

Struggles as an entrepreneur (00:21:27)
Deborah's experiences as a female entrepreneur and the challenges she has faced in running her own business.

Starting the Business (00:22:42)
Deborah discusses her journey of starting her own business, including initial doubts and the importance of having a supportive partner.

Balancing Work and Family (00:39:35)
Deborah talks about the challenges of balancing work and personal life, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family over work.

Social Media and Content Creation (00:29:41)
Deborah shares her experiences with social media, including her approach to authenticity and the impact of social media growth on her career.

Advice for Pursuing Passion (00:44:09)
Deborah gives advice to individuals unsure about pursuing their passion as a career, emphasizing the importance of maintaining passio