L. Michelle Smith

Rest Is Not a Reward. It’s Leadership.

Since March, I’ve been moving at a pace that only purpose can justify. And it’s been powerful. Here’s just a glimpse of the journey: ✅ I submitted the full manuscript for my fourth book, Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church—a love letter to cultural leadership, steeped in science and soul ✅ I spoke at and moderated multiple impactful leadership events ✅ I offered a…

New Podcast Episode: Rewiring for Resilience

Have you ever felt like you’re on the edge of burnout—but still expected to lead through it? In this week’s episode of Her Next Power Move, I unpack the neuroscience of resilience and how you can literally rewire your brain to bounce forward. This isn’t about powering through—it’s about transforming through. 🎧 Tune in now and grab the FREE downloadable infographic to help you make the mindset shift.…

LMS Pens Guest Article on Better Approach to Personal Branding for BE

It’s time we reframed personal branding for what it should be–more heart and soul–and less tactical overthinking. I penned this guest article for Black Enterprise. Save it and share it. Let me know what you think. This approach more accessible and will get you to brand loyalty faster than planning to post on social media or speak on stages alone. That can help you gain awareness. But we…

Rewiring for Resilience

Tomorrow’s episode is for anyone leading in uncertain times and wondering if they’re built for it. Here’s your reminder: You are—and neuroscience agrees. We’re talking resilience—not as something you’re born with, but something your brain can build. Let me be the voice on your shoulder reminding you: You’re not broken. You’re becoming. Subscribe: lmichellesmith.substack.com

With so much beyond our control, how can we as leaders steer our teams, families, and ourselves through the unknown? Here are three tips to manage uncertainty effectively: ✅ Cultivate Emotional Agility Emotional agility is about staying in touch with what you’re feeling without judgement and adapting as circumstances evolve. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that leaders who practice emotional agility make better decisions in high-stress situations.…

Returning to Where It All Began: Speaking at Opera America 2025 in Memphis

This May, I’m headed back to where it all started. The OPERA America Opera Conference has long been one of the most important annual gatherings for our industry, and I’m honored to be speaking and attending my sixth conference—this time in Memphis, Tennessee. On May 22, I’ll be joining some of the most innovative minds in the opera world for a session titled Solving Communications Challenges. Together, we’ll…

LMS Moderates ELC Men in Leadership

Having a ball interviewing dynamic executive leaders from across industries for the Executive Leadership Council’s Men in Leadership Day-long, virtual conference today. It’s great to be invited again to moderate these fulfilling sessions for high-performing leaders for this awesome organization.

LMS Unscripted: Random Vlog Random Thoughts

Because you see so much of my work in snippets… I’m providing a little realness + continuity on my Substack and on YouTube. Go check out the full video of my new series “Random Vlog. Random Thoughts with L. Michelle” It’s unfliltered, unedited…it’s 15+ minutes. And it is random. How often will I post these? Randomly. Today I talk about my latest and upcoming appearances, makeup, getting camera…

How to find the message in the mess, on the next HNPM Podcast

Some days, we hold it together with one deep breath and a quiet prayer. Grief comes in waves, not always from loss of life—but from the fading of dreams, jobs, roles we once found meaning in. And yet, beneath the ache, there’s a whisper: You are still becoming. There’s beauty in the breaking. There’s strength in the pieces. In the newest episode of Her Next Power Move, we’re…

✨ TOMORROW on @WUSA9! ✨

I’ll be joining the always-inspiring allisonseymour66 on her morning show to talk about navigating this tough job market and how to keep your confidence, clarity, and joy along the way. We’ll explore what it means to make yourself marketable, remain resilient, and tap into happiness as a powerful tool—not just a feeling. 📺 Set your alarms, DMV fam! 🗓️ Tomorrow morning 📍 WUSA9 Morning Show Because even in…

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