Meet Dr. Deborah Johnson-Blake

At that time is when I discovered my life’s purpose. My purpose in life is to serve others and be the most effective servant leader I can be based on my life’s lessons and experiences after reflecting on my purpose in life and realizing that I was a resource to many people in the humblest form. Whether it was providing the correct spelling of a word or an address of a friend, I was the one person that individuals relied on for information. This was in the early years of the Internet age, but the information I provided couldn’t always be found on the world wide web. The journey to discovering my purpose was a simple message from God that transformed how I lived and determined my place in the world: to be a resource to others and serve. My service to others is not always publicized and ranges from small to large tasks. I live to serve!

During that time in my life, I worked at Pizza Hut as a waitress; as I looked into the appreciative eyes of my customers, co-workers, and managers and thought about the people in my life who always sought me to provide answers, an epiphany washed over me. A silent symphony played within my heart, and in that orchestration of compassion for others, I discovered my purpose – to serve. Also, ironically, a few years ago, I participated in a personal development program, Woman University, hosted and facilitated by Kathy Hood, Gift Coach and CEO of Marvelous Light Empower Association, that helped me confirm my spiritual gifts: serving, compassion, and giving.
Service to others, I realized, was not just about actions, but it was an underlying principle that I needed to guide my decisions, my interactions, and my life. However, understanding my purpose was just the beginning. The true challenge lay in being an effective servant leader, utilizing my life’s lessons and experiences as the foundation to carve a path of meaningful contribution.

Because of this epiphany, I had to deconstruct how I looked at leadership; thus, a new paradox of thinking and willingness to walk alongside others rather than lead from the front. The idea was simple yet radical: I was to lead by serving instead of serving to lead.

My purpose became my compass, always pointing me toward giving, compassion, and service. It guided me to cultivate deep relationships, enriching my life and those of others. I found myself reaching out to people, not as a distant figure of authority, but as a fellow traveler, equally invested in their journey.

I’ve held this purpose in my heart for nearly 25 years now. It has been my beacon throughout the ups and downs of life. Yet, even after all this time, my purpose remains ever-evolving. Each day brings new lessons, experiences, and opportunities to refine my commitment to service and God. My purpose has taught me that to serve others effectively, I must trust God, remain a lifelong learner, and be perpetually open to growth, change, and self-improvement.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I never set out to be an editor or entrepreneur. My entrepreneurial journey began when I was a doctoral candidate impatiently waiting to earn my Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership. Writing every day was daunting, especially when I knew my work would be critiqued by a committee of three scholars who had been through the same process.

In hindsight, my writing journey was more successful than I imagined. When my doctoral committee chair asked me to review other doctoral candidates’ dissertation proposals, I thought it was one of the best compliments I had ever received. That’s how The Writing Pad, LLC was born in 2009. Today, I teach and review and edit dissertations as a Research Chair, Associate Professor, and Subject Matter Expert on Servant Leadership at Liberty University and offer other professional services, including public speaking, time management, leadership, and soft skills workshop facilitation and training.

The Writing Pad, LLC is a professional writing, editing, training, consulting, and coaching services company that provides customized solutions to help clients achieve their goals. We offer a wide range of services, including:

Writing: We write a variety of content, including blog posts, articles, website copy, marketing materials, and more. We also offer ghostwriting services for those who want to publish their own work but don’t have the time or expertise to do so themselves.

Editing: We provide editing services for all types of content, from LinkedIn updates to BIOS and academic papers to business proposals. We can help you improve your grammar, punctuation, and style, and we can also help you make sure your writing is clear and concise.
Training: We offer several corporate training workshops on various topics, including time management, leadership, and many other categories that can be customized based on your needs.

Consulting & Coaching: We offer one-on-one and group consulting and coaching services to help you be more time-efficient and achieve your organizational goals. We also provide community outreach and engagement consulting.

Our mission is to provide our clients with excellent customer service and help them achieve their goals. We believe that clear and concise writing is essential for success in today’s world, and we are committed to helping our clients communicate effectively.

We are a team of experienced and professional writers, editors, trainers, and consultants. We are passionate about our work and committed to providing our clients with the best possible service.

If you need help with your writing, editing, training, and community outreach and engagement needs, please contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and develop a customized solution that meets your requirements.

An extension of my business involves corporate training and speaking, which allows me to help clients improve relations and achieve personal and professional goals in the workplace and beyond. As a best-selling author, I am most proud of providing best practices in time management that help leaders become more time efficient. My uniqueness lies in being a seven-time book author, earning a doctoral degree, and serving as one of Liberty University’s Chair of doctoral research projects and committees, unlike most editors. We provide clients with expert advice on how to present their work. We are privileged to serve clients from the “back of the house” and “front of the house” perspectives.

My brand also extends to being The Time Management Diva^®. In this role, I provide time management workshops, tips, and expertise to clientele whose goal is to be more efficient and productive personally and professionally. One of the things I am most proud of is providing the tools and resources to help others become their best selves. My company is committed to helping people improve productivity and efficiency, and I am a leading authority on time management as a certified life and time management coach and a best-selling author.

My purpose in life is to serve others and be the most effective servant leader I can be based on my life’s lessons and experiences. I live by the mantra, “Live life on purpose,” which I attempt to display in everything I do.

I believe in giving back to my community by serving as the 2023-2024 Chair of Partners in Education of Douglas County and a Beyond the Front Porch board member. I am a member of the Junior League of Douglas County and the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce. Humbly, I am the 2021 American Business Woman of the American Business Women’s Association and currently serve as the 2022-2023 ABWA Ambassador Steering Committee Representative and am a past president of the Douglas County Charter Chapter of ABWA. I am a Douglas County Chamber of Commerce Diplomat, its 2020 Diplomat of the Year, and the Celebrate HER 2022 Encourage Award recipient. Modestly, I have a biographical listing in Marquis Publication’s 2022 Who’s Who in America. Gratefully, I serve on several other boards and committees and have been recognized and partnered with many organizations throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and beyond. This year, I was recognized as a Top Time Management Coach by the Coach Foundation.

Also, I am a founding member of the National Council of Negro Women Northwest Georgia Section and a board member of the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education (GAWHE), and I serve as its Parliamentarian. I am a member of the Georgia Continuing Education Association and a former board member. My community volunteerism also involves being a board member of the Hospital Authority Board of Douglas County, the Wellstar Regional Health boards, and the Douglas County Education Foundation. As you can see, I love serving!

However, I do enjoy my downtime. On a Saturday, you might find me cooking a delicious meal or hosting a fun and fabulous dance party to Chaka Khan’s “I Am Every Woman” because living life on purpose and in service is my jam!

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?
Networking, building relationships, and time management expertise are three of the most important qualities that have been essential on my journey.

Networking has been pivotal in my journey as an entrepreneur and leader. It has opened doors to many opportunities and remarkable individuals who have contributed to my business’s growth and enriched my knowledge and involvement in the community. Moreover, networking has blessed me with some cherished friendships that I hold dear.

Attending industry events has proven to be one of the most effective networking methods. Such gatherings provide a golden opportunity to connect with professionals already established in one’s field, allowing leaders and entrepreneurs to gain insights from their experiences. Additionally, joining online forums and groups and reaching out to admired individuals on platforms like LinkedIn can foster valuable connections.

Building relationships stands as another crucial skill for entrepreneurs and leaders. Individuals can create supportive networks that propel their success by forging genuine connections. These relationships can prove instrumental in accomplishing various tasks, whether acquiring new clients, obtaining referrals, or seeking guidance.

To build strong relationships, it is essential to approach others with sincerity and a genuine interest in their lives. Taking the time to understand people helps establish a foundation for meaningful connections truly. Moreover, being helpful and supportive fosters reciprocity, as people are more inclined to assist those who have aided them.

Effective time management is a cornerstone for entrepreneurs and leaders. By mastering this skill, one can increase productivity and reduce stress levels.

Setting priorities is an excellent technique to enhance time management. Identifying what is most important and directing time and energy accordingly allows for greater efficiency. Additionally, employing simple tools such as to-do lists and calendars assists in organizing your tasks and schedules.

For early-stage leaders and entrepreneurs seeking to develop or refine their networking, relationship-building, and improving time management skills, I offer the following advice:

1. Engage actively in one’s community: Participating in local organizations, volunteering, or attending community events enables you to meet individuals who share your passions and interests.

2. Cultivate attentive listening: When engaging in conversations, dedicate full attention to the speaker. Actively listen, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate genuine curiosity about their experiences and perspectives.

3. Set goals and monitor progress: Establish clear objectives and track advancement. Whether it be through a to-do list, a calendar, or a project management tool, having a system to monitor progress keeps one focused and motivated.

By incorporating these strategies, readers can enhance their networking abilities, build lasting relationships, and master the art of time management as early-stage leaders and entrepreneurs.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing, and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Ironically, one of my biggest challenges was the fear of public speaking, which ultimately impacted my leadership progress and business success as a mid-level leader and entrepreneur. However, my confidence level slowly increased as I learned more about public speaking by attending workshops and working with professional coaches. Hence, it was my solution…speak more even in fear and when I am scared! I realized that only I knew what I was about to say, so I had to own it. Today, I offer no excuses and keep communicating! One of my mantras is to “Keep calm and keep talking!”

The result of my personal and professional self-development led me to become a more confident leader and speaker. Some of your readers who serve in leadership positions may have similar experiences. I continue talking today, which has garnered more exposure for my brand and business. It has opened up doors ranging from serving in leadership positions in local, regional, national, and international organizations to being involved in chambers of commerce, higher education, and other organizations. Because of my tenacity and eagerness to grow, my fear of public speaking has been the foundation and roadmap to many successes, including becoming a best-selling author, award-winning professor, and business owner. Today, I am a better servant leader because of my fear, and proud and humble to serve.