Debra Corey
Debra Corey is an HR and workplace culture author focused on employee engagement, recognition, values, and leadership. She wrote or co-wrote Build It, Effective HR Communication, Appreciate It!, and Bad Bosses Ruin Lives. A six-time bestselling author, she has repeatedly been named a Top 101 Global Employee Engagement Influencer. ((https://www.stepituphr.com/about))
Biography & Author's Journey
Debra Corey built her career at the intersection of people strategy, communication, and culture. A former competitive gymnast, she studied communications and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and first entered HR while still a student, taking a job in the university’s benefits department before moving into compensation. From there she held reward and HR roles across U.S. companies before a decisive move at Gap took her from the United States to the United Kingdom, a shift she has described as the beginning of the second half of her career. Senior roles at Gap, Honeywell, Quintiles, Merlin Entertainments, Reward Gateway, and later Step It Up HR gave her a broad base in global reward, engagement, and employee experience. ((https://employeebenefits.co.uk/interview-with-debra-corey-senior-director-compensation-and-benefits-emea-at-quintiles/135997.article?utm_source=openai))
Quotes
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Popular Books
Effective HR Communication
Debra Corey
A practical guide for HR professionals to develop impactful communication strategies that engage employees and drive organizational success.
Build it
Glenn Elliott and Debra Corey
Transform your business with a people-centric approach to employee engagement and rebel against traditional HR practices.
Effective HR Communication
Debra Corey
A practical guide for HR professionals to develop impactful communication strategies that engage employees and drive organizational success.
Build it
Glenn Elliott and Debra Corey
Transform your business with a people-centric approach to employee engagement and rebel against traditional HR practices.
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Earn coworker respect through conversation
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Explore Desire, Relationships & Leadership
Explore Desire, Relationships & Leadership
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Master Health, Productivity & Culture
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Boost Productivity, Habits & Communication
Boost Productivity, Habits & Communication
In an era of constant distraction, mastering the intersection of behavior design and interpersonal influence is essential for professional growth. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals seeking to optimize their daily output while building the communication skills necessary for high-impact leadership.
Lead, Coach & Build a Cult Brand Following
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Decode human nature for business success
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Lead well and motivate everyone I meet
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Lead with Empathy and Confidence
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Community Voices
"Debra Corey has over 20 years’ experience as an award-winning and respected HR leader"
— Workvivo
"Debra Corey, Leadership Expert and bestselling author of Bad Bosses Ruin Lives and many more, supports this sentiment:"
— WorkL
"Debra Corey, an experienced group reward director, is the co-author of "Build It: The Rebel Playbook for Employee Engagement"
— Relocate Magazine
"In today's episode, we welcome Debra Corey, co-author of "Bad Bosses Ruin Lives."
— HR Leaders
"Debra Corey is an award-winning HR leader and founder of Step It Up HR"
— CultureClub X
"In this webinar, join EY, SAP SuccessFactors and award-winning HR leader Debra Corey, as we focus on understanding the current blind spots"
— HRD
"In this episode of the Business Excellence Podcast, esteemed author and HR professional Debra Corey discusses the profound impact"
— ActionCOACH Podcast
"In this episode of the Inspire Greatness Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Debra Corey, an accomplished author and respected HR leader"
— PeopleThriver
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
