This month’s First Friday Female Founder post features Wendy Gates Corbett, the speaker, consultant, researcher, trainer and Duke University adjunct professor who created and leads Signature Presentations. Back in 2016, I hired Wendy to overhaul the slides for my portfolio of presentations, and she made an instant impact from the standpoint of both outstanding work in a seamless manner as well as someone who made me comfortable along with feeling seen while hearing and addressing my presentation shortcomings. Wendy and I truly connected from a shared belief that teams, organizations and squads are better when we bring together folks with differing thoughts, perspectives and backgrounds, pushing one another to continually grow and up-level. Plus, I am consistently impressed by Wendy’s commitment to doing a good job while doing the right thing, whether for herself, her company, her clients or society. I’m grateful for all the passion Wendy brings to the world while helping others decipher their moral compasses and share their authentic voices. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!

Wendy Gates Corbett, CPTD, is an international speaker, award-winning consultant and passionate researcher committed to figuring out the secret ingredients of workplaces built on a foundation of belonging. She cultivates belonging within people and places because she wants every human being to experience the power and freedom that comes from knowing to their soul that they belong. She left a 20-year career in corporate training to focus on using her superpowers to bring more light, hope and peace in the world.

Additionally, Wendy is an Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Management at Duke University. Having trained more than 100,000 people over the past 20+ years, Wendy is a recognized leader in the training industry and speaks globally on building belonging, confidence, clarity as well as powerful presence, helping executives, leaders, TEDx speakers and professional athletes use their voices to make their impact.

First Friday Female Founder Feature:

Wendy Gates Corbett

How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?

There are two arms to my business. At first, they seemed unrelated, but I'm discovering just how connected they are. One arm is presentation consulting: I work with executives, leaders, and professionals helping them present and communicate with confidence, presence, and clarity (and great slides). In this capacity, I do individual and group consulting and training. The other arm is evolving, but it is my soul’s work: building belonging in individuals and organizations. Through keynote speaking and other programs, I work to inspire others to let their brilliance shine and I work with organizations to build cultures where people fully express all that they are without fear. Together, these two arms of my business help people find their voice and use it with confidence to shine their light. Further, I recently joined the adjunct faculty at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, teaching leadership and management in the graduate engineering programs. I love the opportunity to shape the engineers who will change our world and our future.

Why did you start your company?

I’d seen too many successful business leaders and professional speakers with powerful messages that were completely lost because their ‘stage presence’ and/or slides were dreadful. In May 2013, I left behind my 20-year career as a corporate training leader to focus on helping presenters deliver their presentations in more engaging, memorable, meaningful ways.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?

I am driving my own journey. For most of my corporate life, I followed the path and climbed the ladder that appeared in front of me. I wasn’t very purposeful about my career. But, with Signature Presentations, I am intentional about where I'm going. It’s been so rewarding to forge my own path and make my own ladder.

About what are you most proud?

I’ve found my voice and the courage to use it. For more than half of my life, my guiding belief was, “You don’t belong here, Wendy; you’re different!” I lived in constant fear that you’d find out I was different from you. So, I wouldn’t dare speak my mind or share my opinion because I couldn’t risk it being different from yours. I’ve conquered that guiding belief and disarmed its power. I'm proud that I’ve developed the confidence and courage to use my voice to help others use theirs. Writing my first book on belonging was borne of this confidence and courage (it’ll be published in Summer 2022!).

Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?

I struggle with organization! I have pockets of my life where I'm more organized but not consistently. Here are a few strategies I use to stay organized:

1. I document the key tasks for the week on one list

2. I document lower priority tasks on a separate list

3. Then, I plan my week assigning each task a day (Emily, I hear you saying “Every ‘what’ gets a ‘when’”!)

4. I use MC Squares to keep my tasks in sight or out of sight, depending on whether or not I'm in deep focus mode. It’s my new favorite tool!

Who’s the one person who changed your life, and why?

It’s so hard to choose, but I'm choosing my mom, Sandy Heeter. Aside from always believing in me, she gave me the advice that helped me become an adult: I grew up in NY and went to Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. As graduation neared, I assumed I was going to move back home, but I didn’t want to. I called my mom, crying, saying “I don’t want to leave NC!”. She said, “Who said you have to come home, Wendy? Get a summer job while you look for full-time work. If you don’t find a job by the end of the summer, you can always come home.” I’ve been in NC for more than 30 years. She gave me the permission I thought I needed.

What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?

Focus on making progress, not on completing a task (especially if the task is ‘get organized’!). For example, my desk is often cluttered, and, at times, I get overwhelmed thinking about organizing my entire desk. At those times, I will focus on one area, such as consolidating all of the stuff for a single project. That one ‘done’ feels good and motivates me to tackle one more area.

Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?

I do use technology to help with my productivity and organization. I use Otter to record and transcribe interviews so I can focus on the conversation. I also use Focus Booster, a timer app that helps me do focused sprints and document the time spent on client projects. I also LIVE by my calendar. I use categories on my weekly and monthly calendar to batch my priority activities.

How do you feel about work/life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?

My business turns nine years old this year. For the first seven or eight years, I worked 50 to 60 hours per week. I let work overflow into my ‘life’ time. For the last six months, I’ve worked hard to dial that back and be more purposeful about my ‘life’ time. I’ve set new business hours for myself: 10 AM – 5 PM Monday through Thursday and 10 AM to 2 PM on Fridays. I'm learning to step away from commitments that I don’t feel good about, either because they no longer serve me or I am not serving them at the level that I feel good about.

About what causes are you most passionate?

I am committed to causes that support the strengths in people and human dignity. Specifically, I feel strongly about using my voice as an ally in the LGBTQ community. As angry, hateful voices are getting louder in the world, I feel called to make sure the community hears voices of support and love from allies.

I also love sea turtles, so causes like the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehab Center are dear to my heart.

What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?

I love ending my day with a hot cup of ginger tea. I aim to get at least one massage each month, two on occasion. I love indulging in one of my guilty pleasures, like watching the latest episode of Below Deck. I limit my intake of news and social media throughout the week. Once or twice a year, I take a personal sabbatical to spend quiet time by myself to reflect, unwind and exhale.

What is your favorite author/book?

One of the books that has been instrumental in my personal growth is Lisa Nichols’ Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today. It’s helped me embrace abundance.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

This quote is my mantra, and it has been for the last 20 years. It’s from Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frighten us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.”

Wendy sharing her passion that every human-being deserves to be (and feel) safe for expressing their entire being without fear

What is your go-to accessory?

My purple and gray Holly Aiken tote bag for when I'm out and about. It was a gift to myself after a first big milestone in my business. Since I'm not out and about much lately, my go-to accessory for when I'm presenting is my purple flower necklace.

What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?

Getting at least 7 hours of sleep nightly, taking off my makeup beforehand regardless of how tired I am, and drinking lots of water. I love flavored seltzer. LaCroix’s Peach Pear Seltzer is my absolute favorite!

What is your favorite food?

Hot, crispy french fries!

Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?

Mookie’s New York Deli in Cary has perfect fries, and I love their chicken matzo ball soup.

I love StyleFinder for fabulous stylish, comfortable clothes.

For relaxation, I love White Dahlia Massage and Wellness.

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

Hawaii is the most beautiful, majestic place I’ve ever been to.

What streaming show or movie could you watch on an endless loop?

The Breakfast Club

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I would love to be able to fly.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Be you. “They” aren’t thinking about you even half as much as you think they are.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?

Barack Obama. He’s a role model for me as a biracial person who was raised in a predominantly white environment. One of the highlights of my life was meeting him. I got to tell him that he is a role model for me and why. But our meeting was literally about 45 seconds from beginning to the ‘click’ of the camera to end. I’d love to have a real conversation with him.

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