The very first trade review for my upcoming book, Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, has arrived from Publishers Weekly — and it is everything I hoped readers and leaders would see in this work. They didn’t just summarize the book. They understood it. They affirmed the book’s central thesis with this line: “The Black Church and many of its traditions are a crucial…
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 2019, I noticed these signs and prepared accordingly. When the layoff came, I was ready and saw it as a new beginning. In my latest Substack article, I delve into how recognizing these “tea leaves” can empower you to navigate career transitions with foresight and confidence. Read the full story and subscribe here: https://lmichellesmith.substack.com/p/knowing-how-to-read-tea-leaves-can
Let’s get one thing straight: Middle management is not the waiting room to the C-Suite. It’s the launch pad. But too many high-performing leaders get stuck there, not because they lack potential—but because they lack positioning. And the right relationships? They shift the ground beneath your feet. One of the smartest strategic moves you can make is building your Personal Board of Directors—a tight, curated circle of senior…
We live in a world that wants us to believe happiness is a stroke of luck or a reward for checking all the right boxes. But if you’re waiting on good vibes to just fall into your lap, you may be waiting a long time. Here’s the truth: Happiness is not a destination—it’s a practice. And more importantly, it’s your responsibility. Let me break it down. According to…
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…
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.
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…
Found yourself in a career dilemma as a DEI practitioner or someone in adjacent disciplines, like multicultural (MC) marketing or comms because of the shift in the political landscape? You aren’t alone… watch the video for two things you can do right now to begin to move forward and stop feeling stuck about it. Federal workers, you may find that you need to pivot as well. Take a…