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…
What makes you feel joy and clarity… might not work for me. That’s the beauty of happiness triggers—they’re personal. Rooted in your values. Aligned with what you care about most. Backed by brain science. In this video, I’m sharing how to find your own happiness triggers and why they’re essential for leading with clarity, connection, and purpose. Research shows just one moment of positive emotion can reshape your…
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…
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.…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…