Meet Debra Dean, Ph.D.

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Debra Dean, Ph.D. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Debra, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I can’t say I have overcome imposter syndrome because it constantly shows back up in my life. With each new phase of life, I doubt I am the right person for the job. However, I see (after 47 years) that I am learning, stretching, failing, and succeeding in ways that are shaping me to be the best version of myself. Imposter syndrome has shown up in small and big ways in my life. One of the biggest was when I started His Kingdom Matters. The first email announcement to my email distribution list of 3000 people kicked back responses I did not expect. Responses that, in my mind, said, “You’re a woman and have no business starting a ministry.” Responses that echoed, “How dare you do such a thing.” And communication with people that I thought were close friends and supporters caused me to doubt if I was doing the right thing or if I could do it at all. Quickly, I pivoted to recruit a team of prayer warriors to help me combat spiritual warfare, and I contacted my mindset coach to help me with my confidence. Without them, I probably would have given up long ago.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am excited about launching my new book, Jesus Come Revive America: Forgive Us for We Have Sinned. This book has been on my heart and mind since at least 2017 when I finished my dissertation; however, it wasn’t time yet. I can’t really explain it, but I sensed that God was telling me to wait, and then in 2019, He said to start writing. In 2020 and 2021, He said to keep writing. And then, in 2023, He said to finish writing. The book launched on February 1, 2023.

What’s most interesting about this project is that I completely felt like I was incapable of writing this book. I didn’t feel like I was qualified. I didn’t feel like I had what it takes to write a book. From the imposter syndrome perspective, I was doubting my ability and questioning my calling. Yet, I continued to get signs that supported the project, so I persevered.

I am a 1st Generation college graduate. I always tell people that I did things the hard way. I started my family when I was 19, then I started school while I had children and worked a full-time job. I eventually finished my Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D., all while working full-time and raising a family. Frankly, I didn’t realize how special that was until later when one of my professors asked me to teach and he introduced me with this story.

I was pursuing my Masters degree when I was pregnant with our 5th child. During our 5-month obstetrician appointment, I was getting an ultrasound and the tech quickly turned the video around to face her. She asked where my husband was and said we would go into the doctor’s office to have a conversation. It turns out that our baby had anencephaly and the diagnosis was terminal. We proceeded with the next few weeks of what would be the hardest thing we had ever dealt with in our family. Meanwhile, I had assignments due and needed to show up to class. So I did. Frankly, I didn’t realize that I had an option not to do my homework or not go to class. That’s just how I am wired. If I set out to do something, I will finish it.

Our family has faced many trials and tribulations over the years and much of it is revealed in my latest book. This project is somewhat of my life’s work. I feel like everything I had endured and learned in business, school, and family is packed into that book with the lens of scripture. It was quite healing to re-examine those hard times through the eyes of Jesus.

https://a.co/d/9qTMwUh

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’m the most hard-headed person I know. I’m relentless. I won’t give up. This can be good or bad. However, it’s what has helped me accomplish all three academic degrees, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and even the Triple Crown of Running medal. My advice for other hard-headed people is to have someone in your corner that has the guts to tell you if you are running in the wrong direction. Being so relentless, it could be disastrous if I was on the wrong path. However, putting someone like me on the right path can result in pretty amazing things.

Humility is one of my top qualities. There is plenty of research that says humility is what makes a great leader. I believe it. I struggle with humility because the word tells us to be loud and proud, yet my heart and mind tell me to be meek and humble. The best advice I have for people that need to share their success with others is to have a support team that will share it with you. For me, it is embarrassing for me to tell you that I have accomplished anything. Yet, I need to do that so you will know about my latest book. I need to share my wins with others so they can trust that I am the right person for the job. Yet, sharing this information is awkward for me.

The last area of knowledge that I want to share is that we need to honor the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), where we are called to love God and love others. I think this is the most important information we can know and share with others. While I can be successful in my own way, if I do anything that is not loving to God or others, I am doing so in vanity. Instead, if I focus my attention and efforts on loving God and others, then I know that I am doing work worth doing.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I am currently facing a pretty big challenge. Frankly, I haven’t revealed this to anyone yet. But I am pretty exhausted mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The world we live in is pretty messed up, and the more I try to maintain a positive attitude, the more I feel like I can’t do it alone. I think many of us are feeling this way, and that is why I want to share it. Our family moved from Colorado to Kentucky last year. My youngest son is about to start high school. And I am trying to find a way to promote the book and the ministry to help others. I could use your thoughts and prayers. I could also use your support to share information about the book and the ministry.

http://hiskingdommatters.com/

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Image Credits
Katherine Marie Photography

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