Speak Easy

Career

You’ve Been Told You’re a 'High Potential.' Now What?

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on October 31, 2024

Being considered a 'high potential' employee is only the first step. Now it's your job to turn that potential into actual success for yourself, your manager, and your team.

Being considered a 'high potential' employee is only the first step. Now it's your job to turn that potential into actual success for yourself, your manager, and your team.

Trust

Before Anyone Else Can Trust You, You Have to Trust Yourself

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on October 15, 2024

Salespeople are charged with building trust with clients. But you can't build trust with others if the trust you have in yourself is shaky. Here's how to assess it.

Salespeople are charged with building trust with clients. But you can't build trust with others if the trust you have in yourself is shaky. Here's how to assess it.

Career

The Hidden Costs of Being Indispensable at Work

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on September 9, 2024

Being seen as indispensable at work can sometimes limit your abilities, autonomy, and career.

Being seen as indispensable at work can sometimes limit your abilities, autonomy, and career.

Career

Feeling Self-Conscious About Your Weight at Work?

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on July 16, 2024

It's tempting to joke about your body if you're feeling insecure. But it's not just a joke — it's a microaggression that impacts your own and others' self-esteem.

It's tempting to joke about your body if you're feeling insecure. But it's not just a joke — it's a microaggression that impacts your own and others' self-esteem.

Trauma

Your Meetings Need to Be Trauma-Informed

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on May 15, 2024

Running an effective meeting requires more than drafting an agenda and ordering lunch. It requires helping participants feel safe and secure both physically and emotionally.

Running an effective meeting requires more than drafting an agenda and ordering lunch. It requires helping participants feel safe and secure both physically and emotionally.

Bias

How to Support Your Jewish Employees Right Now

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on March 1, 2024

Jewish employees are experiencing antisemitism worldwide. Here's how your organization can offer them support, inclusion, belonging, and a safe space.

Jewish employees are experiencing antisemitism worldwide. Here's how your organization can offer them support, inclusion, belonging, and a safe space.

Motivation

Don't Make a "New" New Year's Resolution

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on December 19, 2023

We've been conditioned to think that goal-setting is our best tool for achieving what we want. But what if there were a healthier, more satisfying way to get things done?

We've been conditioned to think that goal-setting is our best tool for achieving what we want. But what if there were a healthier, more satisfying way to get things done?

Career

30 Ways to Take Advantage of a Mental Health Day

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on May 13, 2022

Are you avoiding taking a mental health day because you don't know what to do with it? Here are 30 ideas to get you started.

Are you avoiding taking a mental health day because you don't know what to do with it? Here are 30 ideas to get you started.

Friends

Why It Hurts When Someone Won’t Accept Your Help

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on March 22, 2022

Do you keep trying to help someone who doesn't want it? Here's why that hurts and what to do instead.

Do you keep trying to help someone who doesn't want it? Here's why that hurts and what to do instead.

Anxiety

The Simplest Act of Self Care? Stopping

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on February 7, 2022

Are you trying to control something you can't control or change someone who isn't changing? It's taking a toll on you, and here's what to do instead.

Are you trying to control something you can't control or change someone who isn't changing? It's taking a toll on you, and here's what to do instead.

Anxiety

'Embrace the Awkward' When Bringing Up Mental Health

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on February 23, 2021

Are you avoiding a mental health check-in with your colleagues or family members because it's uncomfortable? Here are seven scripts to start the conversation.

Are you avoiding a mental health check-in with your colleagues or family members because it's uncomfortable? Here are seven scripts to start the conversation.

Friends

Are You Struggling a Little—or a Lot?

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on November 24, 2020

If you're stuck in a cycle of hopelessness and despair, choosing a new mindset can go a long way. And you don't have to come up with one alone.

If you're stuck in a cycle of hopelessness and despair, choosing a new mindset can go a long way. And you don't have to come up with one alone.

Resilience

No Time for Self-Care? Try These 31 Snack-Size Habits

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on October 28, 2020

Wait, what day is it? If the pandemic has you overwhelmed, here are 31 small ways to get through it, one day at a time.

Wait, what day is it? If the pandemic has you overwhelmed, here are 31 small ways to get through it, one day at a time.

Cognition

How Anyone Can Tell a Story like J.K. Rowling

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on September 17, 2018

Want to change behaviors and beliefs? Here's what you can learn from Harry Potter.

Want to change behaviors and beliefs? Here's what you can learn from Harry Potter.

Fear

How to Say No Assertively to a Request for Your Time

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on September 14, 2017

Do you say yes when you want to say no? Here are 20 ways to say no gracefully, and with less guilt.

Do you say yes when you want to say no? Here are 20 ways to say no gracefully, and with less guilt.

Career

Why Some Grown Women Sound Like Girls

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on August 13, 2017

Up-speak, breathiness, and sing-song voices can cost women their professional credibility. Here's why.

Up-speak, breathiness, and sing-song voices can cost women their professional credibility. Here's why.

Anxiety

When Mindset Isn’t Enough

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on July 6, 2017

Do you sweat, shake, or have stomach pain before a big presentation? Here are five practical strategies to mask the symptoms when a positive mindset just isn't enough.

Do you sweat, shake, or have stomach pain before a big presentation? Here are five practical strategies to mask the symptoms when a positive mindset just isn't enough.

Oxytocin

Speaking at the Speed of Trust

Deborah Grayson Riegel MSW, PCC on June 5, 2017

Have you ever heard a speaker you didn't trust? Here's why, and what you can do to avoid becoming one.

Have you ever heard a speaker you didn't trust? Here's why, and what you can do to avoid becoming one.