Leading Up: The Work Shift Deborah Grayson Riegel: How to Lose Your Fear and Find Your Voice
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Feb 3, 2026 Deborah Grayson Riegel, an international keynote speaker and corporate communication coach, shares tools from her 30-year career. She talks about finding an authentic voice, taming catastrophic fear, using AI without losing personal style, and turning career pivots into strengths. Short, practical frameworks for making presentations conversational and handling tough questions are highlighted.
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From Speech Camp To A Speaking Career
- Deborah started speech and debate at 14 and won a national public speaking championship in high school.
- She got hired at 17 to teach public speaking at colleges and corporations, launching her career early.
Authenticity Outperforms Mimicry
- Sounding like yourself is a distinct competitive edge even without decades of experience.
- Authentic voice connects; it signals a unique perspective rather than imitating someone else.
Use AI As A Drafting Partner
- Use AI as a middle-stage tool: do your own thinking first, then draft with AI, then edit heavily to match your voice.
- Increase iterations and human review as stakes and visibility rise to preserve authenticity.