In this concise, six‑question, seven‑minute interview on the Winning at Business and Life podcast, host Professor Pete Alexander speaks with Debbie Peterson, founder of Getting to Clarity. Peterson explains that her firm helps women and emerging leaders create clear roadmaps for the next stage of their careers, providing tools and strategies to achieve those goals. She emphasizes the power of clarity—both for organizations staying on top of industry trends and for individuals understanding their next steps. Peterson shares a people‑centric leadership tip: truly get to know each team member using the FORM framework (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Money) to boost engagement and loyalty. She recommends fellow leader Renee Baker of Raymond James for her work in advisor networks, diversity, and inclusion. Peterson also recounts her first job at a drive‑in theater, illustrating how early experiences shaped her perspective. Listeners are directed to her website (www.debbipetersonspeaks.com) and social media for further resources.
Chapters
This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and what you do.
Alrighty, well, I am Debbie Peterson. My company is Getting to Clarity because that's what I help professionals do, specifically women and emerging leaders, help them create a roadmap to whatever is the next level or perhaps the next chapter in their career and give them the tools to achieve it.
Debbie, it's so great to have you on the show. Question number 2, what's the best thing about working in your industry?
Oh my goodness, it's meaningful. I So it's a speaking industry, which we're kind of on a hiatus figuring things out in the virtual world, but there is just something, even as an introvert, to be able to get on stage and share meaningful information that impacts a large group of people, that it causes them to think differently about themselves and their potential and their influence in achieving it. That's the best thing about what I get to do in my industry.
Oh, it sends chills through me. I love it. I could hear the passion in your voice. Question number 3. I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?
Okay, so in this book there is a chapter called Clarity. That is my word, and that's what I encourage people to seek. So as a business leader, it is really getting clarity on not only what is next for the business or the industry— you certainly want to stay on top of trends— but you also want to tap into that with your people. To help them figure out what's next so that they have the ability to contribute, not only to make themselves successful, but you, your organization, and the industry overall more successful.
I love it. Great chapter. Question number 4: Other than the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice or insight would you give to other business leaders?
Uh, so, you know, other than the standards, um, it is really, you know, one of the biggest things that I find in what I do And especially from a leadership perspective, it is getting to know your people. So we have all kinds of people problems, engagement, retention, but people are just people. So when you have a natural curiosity about them, they feel invested and are more loyal and more willing to show up for you.
And yeah, and so when you're getting to know them, is it not just knowing them as a team, but individually their personalities and what interests them, et cetera? I'm assuming.
As people, and I can't remember where I heard it, but there's an acronym, F.O.R.M. F is family, O is occupation, in which case could be what, what part of your job lights you up the most. R is recreation. Who are they outside of business? And M is money. Of course, you already know how much money they make. But what, what do they choose to spend their money on? You know, what's valuable to them can give you great insights on a number of levels on your people.
Love it. Thank you for that clarification. Question number 5: What other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?
Ooh, okay. So I am going to say Renee Baker, and she is in charge of the advisor networks at Raymond James. So all of the advisor networks. She is just a beautiful person inside and out. So it's not only her business acumen, but what she does for diversity and inclusion, which is so important where we are right now, so.
Wonderful, thank you for that referral. I'll reach out to Renee. And our last question, question number 6, please tell me about your first job.
Oh my goodness, so, and actually there's a little bit of resurgence with this. My first job was at a drive-in theater. And for those of you who don't know what it was, or you have to look it up, is when you would take your car and you would sit in your car and watch the movies. Back when I started, they had the speaker that you used to hook on your window, right? But then they went to the radio frequencies and I worked in the concession stand. So I got to meet all of these people. Anybody who was cool in my high school network came to the drive-in 'cause that was the cool place to be. So it was just, it was a blast. It was a lot of fun.
Oh, you just gave me back memories of the drive-in theater and how much fun, and it was a double feature as well, usually at the drive-ins, so. Much fun. Debbie, thank you so much for being on the show. How could people find you?
So you can find me at my website. It is www.debbipetersonspeaks.com. And of course, I'm across all social media channels, either as Debbie Peterson or Getting to Clarity.
Perfect. This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. For more insights and ideas, please go to LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, or iTunes and search for the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks for listening.
