Michele Rigby Assad
Keynote Speaker: Former C.I.A. Agent, Counterterrorism Specialist & Author of "Breaking Cover"
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Michele Rigby Assad Biography
You must keep secrets but skillfully persuade others to tell you theirs. You have to love your country but willingly leave it behind for dangerous operations around the world. You need to live a double life but be trustworthy enough to carry out the nation’s most sensitive tasks. Michele Rigby Assad was one of those people. Working undercover for the CIA, she served in treacherous areas throughout the Middle East—a woman leading some of the most highly skilled operatives on the planet. The threats were real. The missions were perilous. And deep inside, Michele wondered: Could she really do this job or had she misunderstood her life’s calling? In her book, "Breaking Cover," Michele was cleared to drop cover and tell her story of incredible struggle, of unexpected challenges and thwarted missions, and most significantly, of powerfully realizing what really matters in the face of her greatest fears.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Michele Rigby Assad and other top speakers and celebrities.
Michele Rigby Assad Speaking Topics
Michele uses her experience as a female in the male-dominated intelligence sector to show how your unique personality and perspective are key to being a stand-out in the workplace. Despite being told that she could not carry out successful counterterrorism operations because she would never be accepted as a female by the terrorist sources she would have to work with, Michele turned this assumption on its head. She explains how she triumphed by turning her perceived disadvantages to her advantage in the debriefing room, acquiring intelligence others could not. Key Takeaways:
- Understand why diversity is critical to creativity and success
- Develop strategies for disrupting the status quo and reframing other’s perception of your capabilities
- Discover how your “disadvantages” can actually enable you to shine in the workplace
I'm used to assumptions. I've dealt with them my entire life. It is hard for people to merge the two seemingly different versions of me: an outgoing and kind person who cares very much about others-with the counterterrorism and Middle East expert. Most human beings are conditioned to associate a leader with someone who wields power in a more forceful manner. Those with sunny dispositions are often relegated to the second tier or the back row. This cognitive dissonance is a product of an Unconscious bias that sets our expectations of people's strengths, weaknesses, personality and interests. Our assumptions are based on a lifetime's worth of input, so this happens without our cognizance. We are not aware that this process is occurring. In the workplace, subconscious bias affects internal processes such as hiring, promotions, leadership development, training decisions, and project management. In terms of operations, subconscious bias affects our marketing and sales strategies, product design, prioritization of projects, and so much more. Learn the first steps to knocking down the walls to unconscious bias and creating a culture of strong leaders:
- acknowledge that we can do a better job
- dig deeper and get to know others better
- ask more questions
- determine whether unconscious bias has affected the way you've done business and identify one way to start rectifying that
One thing you learn planning and carrying out operations in war zones is that no matter how hard you try, you can’t prepare for every contingency. You have to get good at pivoting in the moment and making decisions on the fly. Such is the new world thrust on us in 2020. Strong leadership understands that now is not the time to maintain continuity of operations—it is time to rethink everything.
- Learn how to harness fear to cultivate optimism and resiliency.
- Understand how to promote an environment in which your team members’ unique experiences, outlook, and creativity can be harnessed to solve operational challenges.
- Develop new strategies for tapping into your diverse workforce to navigate changing realities and requirements. (You will be surprised how many amazing ideas come from staff that, up until now, hasn’t had the opportunity or encouragement to share fresh ideas that can breathe new life into operations.)
Learn how to optimize operational decisions and mitigate risk using vetting methodologies from the world of intelligence.
The ability to make wise decisions is what sets apart average companies from exceptional ones. The secret sauce is the ability to vet people, products, vendors, and opportunities. Just like vetting is critical to our national security, vetting is the cornerstone of sound business and personal decisions. It enables a spectrum of activities from hiring the most talented and highly motivated employees, to identifying the most promising investment opportunities, to choosing the right childcare provider.
Vetting (verifying, scrutinizing, authenticating) is essential to our everyday lives, yet those who are expected to vet are rarely provided the training to do so. The SwiftSword ™ training course will give you the tools to become a Truth Hacker—able to vet people and information like a pro. Michele’s tools will enable you to cut through chaos, lies, and marketing fluff, to steer your company to success.
Michele Rigby Assad Videos
How do I book Michele Rigby Assad to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michele Rigby Assad for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michele Rigby Assad, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michele Rigby Assad or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Michele Rigby Assad for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michele Rigby Assad, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michele Rigby Assad are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michele Rigby Assad, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Michele Rigby Assad speak about?
Michele Rigby Assad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Security & Defense, Political, Government and Authors.
Where does Michele Rigby Assad travel from?
Michele Rigby Assad generally travels from Orlando, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Michele Rigby Assad?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michele Rigby Assad for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michele Rigby Assad for your next private or corporate function.
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Michele Rigby Assad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Security & Defense, Political and Government. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michele Rigby Assad for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Michele Rigby Assad generally travels from Orlando, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Sarah Chayes, Raymond Kelly and Frederic Wehrey. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michele Rigby Assad for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Michele Rigby Assad Speaking Topics
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How Leveraging War-Zone Tactics in the Workplace Can Help Overcome Stereotypes
Michele uses her experience as a female in the male-dominated intelligence sector to show how your unique personality and perspective are key to being a stand-out in the workplace. Despite being told that she could not carry out successful counterterrorism operations because she would never be accepted as a female by the terrorist sources she would have to work with, Michele turned this assumption on its head. She explains how she triumphed by turning her perceived disadvantages to her advantage in the debriefing room, acquiring intelligence others could not. Key Takeaways:
- Understand why diversity is critical to creativity and success
- Develop strategies for disrupting the status quo and reframing other’s perception of your capabilities
- Discover how your “disadvantages” can actually enable you to shine in the workplace
-
Unconscious Bias: How to Knock Down the Walls
I'm used to assumptions. I've dealt with them my entire life. It is hard for people to merge the two seemingly different versions of me: an outgoing and kind person who cares very much about others-with the counterterrorism and Middle East expert. Most human beings are conditioned to associate a leader with someone who wields power in a more forceful manner. Those with sunny dispositions are often relegated to the second tier or the back row. This cognitive dissonance is a product of an Unconscious bias that sets our expectations of people's strengths, weaknesses, personality and interests. Our assumptions are based on a lifetime's worth of input, so this happens without our cognizance. We are not aware that this process is occurring. In the workplace, subconscious bias affects internal processes such as hiring, promotions, leadership development, training decisions, and project management. In terms of operations, subconscious bias affects our marketing and sales strategies, product design, prioritization of projects, and so much more. Learn the first steps to knocking down the walls to unconscious bias and creating a culture of strong leaders:
- acknowledge that we can do a better job
- dig deeper and get to know others better
- ask more questions
- determine whether unconscious bias has affected the way you've done business and identify one way to start rectifying that
-
Lessons from the CIA — How to Pivot in Times of Crisis
One thing you learn planning and carrying out operations in war zones is that no matter how hard you try, you can’t prepare for every contingency. You have to get good at pivoting in the moment and making decisions on the fly. Such is the new world thrust on us in 2020. Strong leadership understands that now is not the time to maintain continuity of operations—it is time to rethink everything.
- Learn how to harness fear to cultivate optimism and resiliency.
- Understand how to promote an environment in which your team members’ unique experiences, outlook, and creativity can be harnessed to solve operational challenges.
- Develop new strategies for tapping into your diverse workforce to navigate changing realities and requirements. (You will be surprised how many amazing ideas come from staff that, up until now, hasn’t had the opportunity or encouragement to share fresh ideas that can breathe new life into operations.)
-
SwiftSword ™ Risk Mitigation Tools for High Performance Companies
Learn how to optimize operational decisions and mitigate risk using vetting methodologies from the world of intelligence.
The ability to make wise decisions is what sets apart average companies from exceptional ones. The secret sauce is the ability to vet people, products, vendors, and opportunities. Just like vetting is critical to our national security, vetting is the cornerstone of sound business and personal decisions. It enables a spectrum of activities from hiring the most talented and highly motivated employees, to identifying the most promising investment opportunities, to choosing the right childcare provider.
Vetting (verifying, scrutinizing, authenticating) is essential to our everyday lives, yet those who are expected to vet are rarely provided the training to do so. The SwiftSword ™ training course will give you the tools to become a Truth Hacker—able to vet people and information like a pro. Michele’s tools will enable you to cut through chaos, lies, and marketing fluff, to steer your company to success.
VIDEO
Michele Rigby Assad Videos
BOOKS
REVIEWS
Michele Rigby Assad Reviews
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“Our organization has monthly speakers and we’ve seen and heard from our fair share of amazing people. Michele was different, however. She was unique to her story but her story was really all of our stories. We were able to relate to how we underestimate our own capabilities. Whether you are a CIA Intelligence Officer or a homemaker, she shares how the power we all have to create our own destinies has always been within us. Wonderful presentation!”
Winter Park Republican Women, Federated - Oct 27 2020 -
“Michele is a dynamic and engaging speaker who uses her experiences in the CIA to connect with her audience in a way that is very relatable. She is a storyteller and we all wanted to hear more!”
New Hope Church - Oct 27 2020 -
“Michele Assad’s stories of life in the CIA are riveting, and she tells them in a way that captures the astounding nature of her experiences in the Middle East. She challenged us to pursue a fresh perspective on the interaction between Christianity and Islam and the role of America in the world.”
La Tourneau University - Oct 27 2020
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