The Diverse Realm of a Renowned Professional

In a world seeking inspiration, Dr. Marie Abou Rached shines as a multifaceted force of empowerment. With 15 years of remarkable experience, she has left an indelible mark as a motivational speaker, etiquette trainer, writer, and academic lecturer. Through her dynamic presence and empowering messages, she ignites spirits and propels individuals toward their utmost potential, while her expertise in etiquette and interpersonal skills shapes social and professional landscapes. With a commitment to early education and a holistic approach rooted in her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Dr. Marie embodies a profound dedication to personal growth and empowerment.

Dr. Marie, as someone with a background in Physical Therapy and a focus on women’s well-being, how do you integrate physical health with mental and emotional wellness in your motivational speaking?

Physical health is entwined with emotional and mental well-being. People living with chronic physical health problems are at a higher risk of developing mental problems (such as depression, emotional stress, dementia, anxiety, etc.)

My motivational speeches showcase the great impact of physical health on overall well-being. Being physically active reduces the chance of chronic diseases (diabetes type II, heart disease, cancer, etc.) and improves emotional well-being. In conclusion, physical health is a powerful medicine. It enhances vigor, resilience, self-esteem, and cognitive function. 

Here are some tips that help a woman to be emotionally and mentally healthy:

Develop healthy physical habits, take time for yourself each day, practice gratitude, look at problems from different angles, and set a meaning and a purpose for your life.

Could you share how your experiences in various fields, including academic lecturing and motivational speaking, have shaped your approach to personal and professional development?

My experiences in numerous fields, specifically academic lecturing and motivational speaking have enabled me to adopt a holistic approach to personal and professional development. It has equipped me with a unique perspective and skills that help me to inspire and support others in their journey in self-development.

-In my role in Academic lecturing, I have developed a profound recognition for the dissemination of knowledge and the encouragement of critical thinking. Teaching has taught me the significance of effective communication, tailoring the content to diverse audiences, and creating an environment that fosters learning and finally breaking down complex concepts into understandable components.

-Engaging in Motivational speaking has let me connect with people on a more personal level and unleash the power within. I have discovered the positive impact of storytelling, showing empathy, and being genuine in motivating others to pursue their goals and conquer challenges. Moreover, the interactions and the feedback gained from the audience deepened my understanding of human psychology and behavior, influencing my approach to leadership endeavors and personal development. 

From my diverse experiences, I have learned the importance of adaptability and innovation in today’s rapidly changing landscape. I welcome new technologies, methodologies, and perspectives to continue to ensure my relevance and effectiveness in my pursuits. This versatility allows me to pivot effortlessly between different roles and contexts.

In your experience as an etiquette trainer, what are some common etiquette mistakes people make in business settings, and how can they be corrected?

As an etiquette trainer, I come across numerous etiquette mistakes in professional environments. Here is a brief review of several etiquette blunders, coupled with suggestions for addressing them:

-Arriving late to a meeting, interview or appointment will give the impression of unprofessionalism and disrespect. To give a good professional impression: Be punctual and arrive on time.

– Using mobile phones and browsing the internet in a meeting. To avoid this faux pas: Silence your phone and postpone checking messages and emails.

– Dressing up inappropriately: To avoid this mistake: be mindful of the dress code and the culture of the company/ occasion.

– Poor communication skills: To address this mistake: practice active listening, avoid interrupting others and allow them to express their thoughts fully. Use concise and clear language paired with the right volume and tone of voice.

-Disregarding cultural distinctions: the right way is to educate yourself about the cultural norms and traditions of others and to show respect for people from different backgrounds.

-Ignoring business dining etiquette: to avoid embarrassment in business dining: familiarize yourself with dining etiquette and table manners.

 By being mindful of these common etiquette mistakes and practicing good manners and professionalism in business settings, individuals can enhance their reputation and build stronger relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners.

As an advocate for early-year education, how do you emphasize the importance of linguistic development in preschool-aged children, and what methods do you find most effective?

Language development is an important part of a child’s growth and evolution. It serves as the cornerstone for multifaceted growth in children. It supports a child’s ability to communicate, express, and understand emotions.  

As an advocate in early-year education, I stress the paramount importance of linguistic development in preschool-aged children through various means. Here is a glimpse into my approach and the effective methodologies I employ:

• Promote an environment rich in language stimulation, where kids are surrounded by books, printed materials, and signs.
• Engaging kids in conversations and dialogue helps them to expand their vocabulary and to develop conversation skills.
• Encouraging interactive storytelling and dramatic play that fosters imagination, creativity, and language development.
• Reading aloud provides kids with rich vocabulary.
• Decreasing the time of electronic screens.
• Singing and hearing rhymes repetitively encourages good listening skills and improves memory.
• Providing exposure to several languages that will enrich cognitive adaptability and celebrate the diversity of languages. 

Can you discuss the interplay between social graces and emotional intelligence, and how mastering these can impact personal and professional relationships?

Social etiquette and emotional intelligence complement and reinforce each other in interpersonal interactions. Social skills are about being polite and considerate to others, adapting communication styles to different situations, and listening actively. Moreover, Emotional intelligence is about managing and understanding our emotions and other people’s feelings. 

The interplay between social graces and emotional intelligence fosters a better understanding of social dynamics, promotes effective communication between people, resolves conflicts, and builds trust and rapport with others. 

 Being mindful of social graces and emotional intelligence enhances interpersonal effectiveness, fosters better relationships, creates a positive environment overall, and contributes to personal and professional success. 

What are your top time management strategies for busy professionals looking to balance work, personal development, and well-being?

Work and life are deeply interwoven elements, they intersect and have a substantial impact on each other. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance involves an effective management of professional commitments and personal pursuits. 

To achieve work-life harmony, The individual should have:

– To prioritize health and well-being.

– To Set clear goals within a time frame.

– To manage time and energy effectively by implementing strategic planning.

– To embrace the art of time blocking.

– Learn to say NO, and do not be a people-pleaser

– To prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix and deploy delegation.

– To evaluate time management strategies and adjust them accordingly.

– To spend time with family and friends.

– To practice mindfulness and gratitude.

Work-life harmony has several benefits on the personal and professional level. It will decrease the level of stress and burnout, improve health, and increase productivity and efficiency.

How do you tailor your motivational speeches to specifically empower women, and what topics do you find resonate most with female audiences?

Motivational speeches must be related directly to the audience’s interests, needs, challenges, and level of understanding. I craft my motivational speeches to empower women by acknowledging gender-specific struggles, understanding women’s perspectives, and comprehending women’s experiences and aspirations.

Topics that strike the chord the most with female audiences are the following:

-Harnessing the Power of Self-Belief.

-Social and business etiquette.

-Cultivating Gratitude for a Fuller Life.

-Self-improvement topics.

– Mental and Physical Health awareness topics.

– Financial empowerment.

– The power of gratitude and happiness.

– Business topics and entrepreneurial mindset.

From your experience in establishing a nursery/preschool, what are some key activities or programs you recommend igniting cognitive development in young children?

The term cognitive development pertains to the process of growth and change in intellectual and mental abilities. 

To strengthen the cognitive development in young children, kids must be exposed to positive experiences, engaging activities, and stimulating environments. These are some tips that will improve the thinking, reasoning, and understanding of a young child:

• To encourage kids to play outside.
• To go on field trips and to explore and discover new places.
• To involve them in chores and duties.
• To listen to music and to sing.
• To do jigsaw puzzles.
• To learn shapes and colors.
• To encourage them to ask questions.
• To encourage stacking and building games.
• To read books to them, to tell jokes and riddles.

With the rise of digital communication, how do you advise maintaining effective interpersonal skills both in personal and business contexts?

Maintaining effective interpersonal skills, in today’s digital era, is crucial for achieving personal and professional success. By integrating the following strategies in communication practices, a person will be able to maintain an efficacious interpersonal skill in both personal and business settings.

-Enhance social skills by learning about emotional intelligence, relationship building, conflict resolution, and assertiveness. 

-Be open to constructive criticism and identify areas of improvement. Self-awareness and self-improvement are crucial keys to interpersonal skills.                                                                                              

-Value diversity and inclusion by creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels appreciated and respected.

– Actively listen to others in face-to-face and digital interactions. Provide people with verbal and nonverbal (facial expressions, eye contact, body language, etc.) cues to show your interest and engagement.

– Foster trust and authenticity by being genuine, honest, and reliable. Trust is the groundwork of real interpersonal relationships in business contexts and personal level. 

– Develop empathy in your interactions by understanding others’ experiences, perspectives, and emotions.

Could you share a personal story that highlights a turning point in your career, which led you to become such a multifaceted professional in motivational speaking, training, and wellness?  

The pivotal moment in my life that led me to be a multifaceted professional in motivational speaking, training, and wellness has arisen from a personal journey of surmounting substantial challenges.  As an individual who has faced adversities, I have cultivated resilience, empowerment, and a strong desire to forge a brighter future. 

On the other hand, after spending years dedicated to teaching and inspiring young minds, I have felt a growing desire to extend my impact beyond the classroom, to be a role model that has a positive influence on others’ lives, and to offer guidance and encouragement needed to their growth journey and armed with my medical background, teaching experience, professional expertise, continuous training, and self-development. I have decided to leverage my knowledge and passion to launch my training practice and self-development and motivational speaking career. This unique blend has established me as a reliable advisor and a mentor to people pursuing personal and professional advancement.