Welcome to Part 1 of “Love and Logic,” where Waverly Deutsch shows us how balancing passion and reason leads to real impact. Today, we explore her journey—how she carved her path and why she’s committed to helping others find theirs. In later episodes, we’ll cover her work at Chicago Booth and WyseHeart Advisory, where she dishes out “tough love for entrepreneurs.”
Waverly is famous for her blunt yet brilliant coaching style—think “Simon Cowell of Chicago Booth,” but with actual solutions. She’ll tell you your business pitch makes no sense, then hand you a roadmap to make it airtight. If you’re looking for sugarcoating, look elsewhere. If you want to grow, listen in.
Key Highlights of Our Interview:
A Love for Theater and Logic
“I fell in love with theater and acting as a child. My mother and I would go to the theater together—it was a special time for us. At the same time, I was good at math and logic puzzles. I ended up with two majors, one in theater and one in computer science. They were separate disciplines, but in my mind, I was always bringing them together.”
The Gut-Driven Leap
“At 29, with a fresh PhD, analysis didn’t guide my career move. Joining Forrester was pure gut instinct. I saw it as a chance to dive back into technology, learn from brilliant people, and expand my horizons—no spreadsheets, no market evaluations, just a leap of faith.”
Academia or Impact? The Career Crossroads
“Graduating with a PhD in theater history during a recession, teaching jobs were scarce. Colleges were cutting back on theater programs, and the research focus in humanities felt too esoteric. I wanted to do something more contemporary, more impactful.”
Burnout and Breakthroughs
“After nearly eight years at Forrester, experiencing explosive growth, an IPO, and 60-hour weeks, I needed a reset. By 1999, I was ready for a new direction and decided to approach my next move more strategically.”
Empathy for Everyone
“Emotions aren’t just a ‘women’s thing.’ I’ve sat with many men who’ve cried during challenging discussions. The key is understanding that emotions are human, not a weakness, and they have a place in even the most logic-driven conversations.”
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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Waverly Deutsch
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