Deborah Henley

Empowering young people to embrace their perceived flaws, tap into their inner genius, lead with confidence and achieve extraordinary success.

Deborah Henley is an inspiring and dynamic speaker who helps young people unlock their confidence, embrace their imperfections, and step into leadership with authenticity and courage. With over 20 years of experience in business and clinical psychology, Deborah has worked with senior leaders in global organisations. She now brings her *Perfectly Flawed* philosophy to schools - sharing practical tools to empower the next generation.

In today’s world of AI bots, filtered social media feeds and pressure to appear perfect, young people often struggle with self-doubt and “comparisonitis.” Deborah’s talk is a powerful antidote. With humour, honesty and uplifting insight, she encourages students to embrace their flaws, their individuality and their humanity. Her message? You don’t have to be perfect to succeed—you just have to be real.

Deborah’s own life stories—from being held at gunpoint in Peru, to racing yachts across the world’s oceans, to experiencing personal loss and professional success—showcase how the most powerful growth often comes from the hardest moments. She is also the host of the podcast “Perfectly Flawed: The Art of Being Human”, where she continues to explore these themes with honesty and heart.

Her two core talks are:

1. Perfectly Flawed - how to get REAL in an Unreal World

This keynote focuses on how we can achieve extraordinary success by embracing our flaws. In a world obsessed with perfection—whether that's beauty, popularity, or academic pressure—Deborah challenges students to step away from unrealistic ideals and embrace who they really are. She draws on personal stories and inspiring moments from her podcast guests, leaving audiences with a stronger sense of self-worth, confidence, and compassion for others.

2. The Genius of the Genuine You - the courage to tap into your unique potential

This talk explores how to unlock our full potential by being true to ourselves. Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience, Deborah introduces students to the idea of discovering their inner ‘genie’—a unique inner voice guiding their talents, choices and confidence. It’s uplifting, interactive, and can be delivered as a practical workshop.

Whether speaking to a small group or a full assembly, Deborah connects with young audiences in a meaningful way, leaving them motivated, reassured, and ready to embrace the adventure of being alive.