Uncertainty has a way of shaking even the strongest leaders. But here’s the truth: hope isn’t fluff. It’s a framework and science. And when you understand how it works, it becomes one of the most powerful leadership strategies you have. This week on Her Next Power Move™, I’m unpacking Hope Theory—why it matters now more than ever, and how leaders can cultivate it for themselves and their teams.…
You’re probably aware that my publishers revealed the cover of my upcoming book last week, but did you know that I wrote an essay about what went into the design and even shared the artist’s name? It’s all on my Substack, and just like the audiobook that will also drop on pub day, I’m narrating. So grab your favorite pair of headsets or AirPods, a glass or cup…
I’m thrilled to share a powerful moment on this journey—my publisher has officially revealed the cover of my upcoming book, Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church. This is more than a cover reveal—it’s a visual declaration of the values that shape transformative leaders. When I envisioned the cover, I knew it had to reflect the core message of the book: that some of the…
In just a few weeks, a small, powerful circle of women leaders will step inside the next cohort of SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy. This fall, I’m capping enrollment at 10 seats—because this work requires intention, depth, and trust. Here’s what’s new: ✅ We’ve added AI-powered leadership intelligence with our SOAR DISCernIQ™ assessment platform. ✅ We’re launching a brand-new session on AI for Strategic Leadership—because your next move deserves…
When your press badge doesn’t protect you. In my latest episode of The Culture Soup Podcast®️, Errin Haines shares what it was like reporting on the ground in Ferguson—rubber bullets flying, tear gas in the air—while law enforcement made no distinction between journalists and protesters. “Me having on a press badge or identifying myself as press—that did not protect me.” This is bigger than one city or one…
Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about clarity. Grace. Courage. Episode 12 of Her Next Power Move unpacks emotional agility—a skill too many leaders overlook, but one that neuroscience says will keep you grounded in storms. 🎧 Streaming today: lmichellesmith.substack.com
But social media sure makes some of us feel like we are. In the age of TikTok psychology, words like narcissist, gaslighter, and trauma are tossed around like confetti—often without context, training, or accountability. That’s not emotional intelligence. It’s emotional misconduct. A recent study found that over 83% of psychology-related TikToks contained misinformation or lacked context (BMJ, 2022)—and some of the loudest voices had no clinical credentials at…
If you’ve been circling SOAR… wondering if it’s really the right time, the right fit, or the right investment—I have something for you. This week, I’m opening the doors to the SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy with a LIVE Open House. No fluff, no pressure—just a real look inside this transformational 12-week experience for high-performing women leaders. 🗓️ 12 noon CT, Wed. Jul 16 📍 RSVP:https://SOARacademy.nsccoaching.co/checkout/Masterclass/2024 We’ll walk through…