Ruth P.
Speaker & Enterprise Coach - Risk Management & Mental Health in the Workplace at Pearce Insights
Risk Management
Education: University of Bath, UK - London School of Economics & Political Science (UK) & Concord Law School at Purdue, US
Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Biography
INSPIRING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH MENTAL WELL-BEING & STRENGTHS BASED LEADERSHIP
My work focuses on helping organizations cultivate cultures that prioritize mental well-being while driving innovation and productivity. Clients leave workshops and coaching sessions feeling empowered, supported, and ready to take on challenges with renewed clarity and confidence.
My expertise is in empowering leaders and teams to build resilient, mentally healthy workplaces where individuals and organizations thrive together. Drawing from my own journey through anxiety and burnout as well as multiple roles as a program leader, I combine lived experience with academic expertise, holding degrees from the London School of Economics and Concord Law School, and over 25 years of leadership roles in financial services, state government, and nonprofits.
In my roles as Enterprise Coach and international speaker, I share actionable strategies for fostering collaboration, enhancing well-being, and unlocking the potential of individuals and teams. My clients consistently highlight my ability to turn ideas into impactful actions, describing my coaching as both insightful and inspiring. Audiences report that my warmth, authenticity, and expertise create an atmosphere of trust and transformation.
When we collaborate, you gain more than just knowledge—you gain a partner in creating sustainable, positive change.
In addition to my professional exploits as a speaker, coach, author & trainer, I am a mother of two adult children, in a relationship of more than 22 years, keeper of bees, dogs & rabbit, & a proud (young!) grandmother. I draw so much energy from nature, music, & books. They are essential to my own mental health & are powerful tools for self-care and as checkins on my health simply dreaming of change to creating lasting impact.
When you work with me, you can expect:
* My commitment to giving your audience an unforgettable experience, including recommending other speakers if she's not the best fit.
* Professionalism and flexibility—I know the challenges of organizing events and makes collaboration easy.
* Responsiveness and accessibility, from event planning to follow-up.
Here is what audience members say:
"My final assessment is; 'When Ruth Pearce speaks, you would be wise to listen!' It is your career, MANAGE IT!" Lee Lambert, Co-founder of the PMI PMP exam.
"On stage, physically or virtually, she captivates the audience from the moment she starts to speak. She is the one that will elevate your audience by informing them and inspiring them!” ~ Dr Marjorie Aunos, TEDx Speaker, Accessibility Consultant, Adapt-Ability Champion.
Passion
People. Turning our biggest risks into our greatest assets!
Empowering people to go from thinking and dreaming to doing and being!
Creating organizations that are part of the solution to our current mental health struggles instead of contributors to those struggles!
Featured Video
Featured Book
I am willing to travel
Up to 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
I stood up in the middle of the meeting and said directly to the CEO - "I don't know what you are smoking but I want some".
That was burnout spectacular style!
I was in a "dream job" that had slowly turned into somewhat of a nightmare. My husband had issued that ultimatum - leave (the job) or else.
My energy was depleted.
My temper was short.
I had tried every way I could think of to persuade the powers that be that the program was off track and was not likely to ever be on track!
And it brought me to that.
In that moment I turned organizational risk into personal and professional risk. And I faced the consequences.
Origin Story
My origin stems from my parents, their experiences, their beliefs and even their choice of name for me. Ruth.
The older I get the more I recognize that my two ordinary parents were extraordinary. They achieved so much from so little.
Example talks
THERE'S A BURNED OUT ELEPHANT IN THE OFFICE - MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
In this talk Ruth gets down to the nitty gritty of preventing and recovering from burnout. Instead of the many step approaches that are often recommended, Ruth focuses on incremental change helping attendees craft a plan they can actually successfully implement! Each attendee receives a copy of Ruth’s guidebook “Beating Burnout: How to Recognize, Overcome & Prevent Exhaustion, Disengagement and Overwhelm In Your Work” - volume 2 in the series Be Hopeful, Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Curious.
This program is perfect for:
* Leaders struggling with overwhelm
* Leaders who want to help others who are feeling overwhelmed
* Leaders with high performers who cannot ask for help
The audience will leave with:
* Simple effective approaches to reduce burnout - that don't add to the list of to-dos!
* Actionable strategies to increase stress tolerance and change perspective
* Practical plans to help self and others without adding to the stress
YOU MODELED IT - THE DIFFICULT ART OF ROLE-MODELING ... - HOW TO AVOID MODELING THE WRONG THINGS!
The old adage that “actions speak louder than words” is as true in workplaces as it is in personal life. In this session we explore how some of our personal preferences - and practices - may be setting an unintentional example to others that increases burnout and stress. Take a journey with Ruth to explore some of the well meaning habits that may sabotage wellbeing and mental health in the workplace. Learn how to work in the ways that suit you best while supporting your colleagues in working in the ways that suit them too!
This program is perfect for:
* Those that want to understand the impact of their behavior on others
* Those that want to have a positive impact on others through mentoring and example setting
* Those curious about emotional and social intelligence in leadership
The audience will leave with:
* Practical examples of leadership modeling gone wrong - and gone right
* Strategies for being more self aware and self-controlled
* A plan for how and what they want to model to others - because they never know who is watching!
WELL, YOU ASKED FOR IT! - BE HOPEFUL, BE STRONG, BE BRAVE, BE CURIOUS IN THE WORKPLACE
This is a unique opportunity for your audience to choose the topic that they want to explore further!
UNDERSTANDING & APPLYING HOPE SCIENCE IN THE WORKPLACE - THE TRIUMPH OF HOPE OVER EXPERIENCE
Unlock the power of hope to transform personal & professional life. Hope is a cultivated skill that leads to greater happiness, well-being, & thriving. Your audience will delve into the three key components of hope—Vision, Pathways, & Agency— to explore practical ways to foster & leverage hope for meaningful change. They will walk away with a plan to harness hope for greater success & contentment.
Hopeful employees are resourceful.
https://www.espeakers.com/dashboard/50326/profile-programs/78839
THE SCIENCE OF CHARACTER IN TEAMS - CHARACTER STRENGTHS IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Leverage character strengths to overcome challenges effectively. Identify & apply strengths through activities & case studies for personal & professional growth. Throughout life, character strengths are a great foundation not just in good times but during setbacks. Strengths awareness builds engagement, retention, loyalty, innovation & more! Your audience will discover their strengths - some they may know, some they may be blind to & they will map out a journey to being their best selves & helping others do the same!
Employees who work to their strengths are more engaged & productive.
https://www.espeakers.com/dashboard/50326/profile-programs/78840
THE ART & SCIENCE OF COURAGE AT WORK - BRAVERY OR BRAVADO
Bravery is often linked to dramatic acts of heroism. True bravery manifests in subtle, everyday ways. As with hope, there is a science to it. This session reveals that bravery can be cultivated & expanded, even in the smallest of actions. Discover what bravery looks like, create awareness in the audience to be able to recognize their own moments of bravery, & develop a personalized plan to be 2% braver each day. We will learn to distinguish between courage & bravery & gain practical strategies to apply & build bravery in your life.
Brave employees reduce errors, improve decision making & raise issues early.
https://www.espeakers.com/dashboard/50326/profile-programs/78841
CURIOUS ENOUGH FOR WORK - CULTIVATING THE RIGHT AMOUNT & KIND OF CURIOSITY
Curiosity is a fundamental trait that drives us to explore beyond the obvious & fosters greater happiness & well-being. While some retain their natural curiosity throughout life, others may see it diminish over time. This session is grounded in solid research & explores the role of curiosity in enhancing your audience's lives, teaching them how to harness & cultivate a healthy level of curiosity that fits the context.
Curious employees are innovative and engaged employees.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Science based
Any & all of them can be learned and developed
Hope is an active process
Organizations & individuals who see strengths in themselves & others are more engaged
We are all braver than we think
Curiosity is multifaceted - higher curiosity correlates with greater creativity
Any of these strengths will enhance your audience's sense of empowerment & commitment
"When Ruth Pearce speaks, you would be wise to listen!" Lee Lambert, Founder of PMP
MINDFULNESS: A CRITICAL SKILL OR A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD?
Mindfulness has become a popular tool for improving focus, reducing stress, and enhancing well-being, but it’s not without its challenges. In this thought-provoking talk, Ruth Pearce, JD, PCC, explores both the transformative power and the potential pitfalls of mindfulness. She provides a balanced perspective on how to cultivate mindfulness in a way that enhances resilience and emotional regulation while avoiding common missteps, such as over-reliance or emotional overwhelm. Your audience will also come to appreciate the hidden values of mindlessness.
Key Takeaways:
* Mindfulness as a Superpower: Understand how mindfulness enhances focus, decision-making, and emotional balance, making it a critical skill for personal and professional success.
* Mindlessness is a Superpower too: Understand how mindlessness plays an important part in our effective functioning.
* When Mindfulness Backfires: Learn about the potential downsides, including emotional fatigue, over-introspection, and the risk of avoidance when mindfulness is misapplied.
* Striking a Balance: Explore how to integrate mindfulness practices sustainably without letting them become a source of pressure or perfectionism.
* Practical Tips for Everyday Mindfulness: Gain simple, adaptable techniques to bring mindfulness into daily life, fostering clarity and resilience without overcomplicating the practice.
Target Audience:
* Professionals and leaders seeking to enhance focus and reduce stress in fast-paced environments.
* Mindfulness practitioners interested in understanding the nuances and limitations of the practice.
* Coaches, trainers, and therapists teaching mindfulness who want to offer a balanced perspective to clients.
* Individuals curious about how mindfulness can improve their mental and emotional well-being without unintended consequences.
This talk is ideal for anyone looking to embrace mindfulness - and mindlessness - as tools for growth while remaining mindful of the challenges, offering both practical insights and a grounded perspective.