Hey instructors!
We’re excited to spotlight one of our community members who’s making a real impact in professional development. Udemy instructor Deborah Grayson Riegel recently joined our Leading Up: The Work Shift podcast, sharing insights from her 30 years of experience in public speaking—and honestly, it’s gold for both how we teach and how our learners grow.
Why soft skills still matter
In a world shaped by AI, Deb shared a powerful reminder:
“It’s less likely that your job will be replaced by AI than by somebody who knows how to use AI.”
But using AI well isn’t just technical, it’s human. It requires genuine communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to foster trust and connection. Those skills are becoming more valuable, not less.
Tips for your own public speaking journey:
Put your audience first: focus on their needs, not your nerves
Try the 4S model: State your point, Support it, Stop talking, Solicit engagement
Reframe fear: shift from “What if I forget?” to “Even if I forget, I can pause and continue.”
Lead with authenticity: your voice is your advantage, not a liability
How this helps your learners:
Tackle the real root of perfectionism: fear of consequences, not mistakes
Teach “even if” thinking to build confidence and resilience in unpredictable moments
No matter what you teach, tech, business, creative skills, or anything in between, confidence in communication makes everything stronger. As Deb puts it, public speaking is about “developing the will and developing the skill.” That’s exactly what great instructors do every day.
Learn more at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast
