We recently had the chance to connect with Feras Asakrieh and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Feras, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What battle are you avoiding?
I’m trying to stay out of the comparison game. It is easy to look at what everyone else is doing and feel like I am behind. But every time I do that, I lose focus on my own path. So the battle I’m avoiding is comparing myself to others. I am working on staying locked in on my own work and my own growth. That is where the real progress happens.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Feras Asakrieh. I came to the United States from Dubai almost twenty years ago. I did not speak any English back then. I learned by watching more than two thousand movies and by talking to people every chance I got.
Today I am a senior leader in sales, customer experience, and account retention. I also run a growing coaching brand where I help people build better careers, become stronger storytellers, and think like entrepreneurs inside corporate life. I built my whole career by working hard, staying curious, and helping people win. That is the heart of everything I do.
What makes my story special is that I started from zero. Gas station cashier. No money. No network. And step by step, I worked my way into leadership roles and built companies on the side. Now I use those lessons to help others grow faster and with more confidence.
Right now I am focused on two things. Leading my team at Dun and Bradstreet and helping professionals level up through my books, my newsletter, and my new presentation course. My goal is simple. Help people bet on themselves and build a life they are proud of.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that shaped how I see the world was the day I moved to the United States. I was a teenager from Dubai. I did not speak any English. I remember standing in the airport with one bag and no real plan. I felt excited and scared at the same time.
That moment taught me something big. No one is coming to save you. You have to bet on yourself. You have to learn fast. You have to keep going even when you feel lost.
Because of that day, I see the world as a place where you can grow if you are willing to try, fail, and try again. It taught me that mindset is everything and that your life changes the moment you decide to show up for yourself.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most was public speaking. I used to get nervous even thinking about talking in front of people. My heart would race. My hands would shake. I worried about saying the wrong thing or sounding unsure.
For a long time, that fear made me stay quiet. It made me pass on chances that could have helped me grow. But once I learned how to calm my mind and prepare the right way, everything changed. Now I teach people how to present with confidence, because I know how much it can hold you back if you don’t face it.
Public speaking was my biggest fear. Facing it opened the door to almost everything I do today.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the career and corporate world is that hard work alone is enough. People think if they keep their head down, stay quiet, and do a good job, someone will notice and reward them. But that is not how it works. Growth is not only about effort. It is about visibility, communication, and knowing how to tell your story.
Another lie is that public speaking and leadership are “talents” you are born with. They are skills. Anyone can learn them with the right mindset and practice.
And the last lie is that you have to choose between being a good employee or thinking like an entrepreneur. I believe you need both. When you think like an owner, you grow faster and create more value for the company and for your own career.
These lies keep a lot of people stuck. My work is about helping people see the truth so they can build the career they deserve.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I will regret not trying. Not taking the shot. Not betting on myself when it mattered. I have learned that the worst feeling is wondering what could have happened if I pushed a little harder or trusted myself a little more. I do not want to look back one day and feel like I played it safe. I want to know I used my voice, chased my ideas, and did the things that scared me. That is the kind of life I want to live.
