Right now, many people are showing up to work carrying invisible weight. Economic uncertainty. Social tension. Cultural unrest. When the world doesn’t feel safe, it’s no surprise that the workplace often mirrors that unease. Psychological safety is one of the most powerful tools a leader has to shift that dynamic. Coined by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, the term refers to a shared belief that it’s safe to take…
Every leader faces moments that test them: a failed project, a missed opportunity, a layoff, or a time when expectations fell short. These moments can feel heavy, but neuroscience and positive psychology tell us something powerful—how you frame these experiences changes everything. When you consciously reframe a setback, your brain begins to reinforce new pathways for clarity and confidence. Positive psychology calls this post-traumatic growth—the ability not only…
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…
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…
That’s why I opened up a limited window for two high-impact coaching offers—designed to move you from stuck to strategic, overwhelmed to clear. But here’s the thing: the window closes at noon tomorrow. The clock is ticking on this one. Here’s what’s still on the table: 🔹 The SHIFT Strategy Session – 90 minutes, deep clarity + immediate next steps (I only have 10 of these available over…
This week’s FlightPath is all about that powerful tension between what we know in our bones and what we can prove with data. In this edition, I share: The neuroscience behind executive presence (yes, mindfulness and visualization matter!) A behind-the-scenes look at the 168 sources that ground Call & Response in both faith and science What’s coming this week on The Culture Soup Podcast® (hint: we’re talking the…
So I prepared. I interviewed. I networked. And when the day came, I smiled. I was Dreamin’ in Black an entire year before the notice. I chose to walk out with grace, truth, and a quiet kind of power. I over-delivered on my final assignment at Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit with my beautiful colleagues, and took a ton of selfies. And as you know, this year,…
You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not the only leader carrying that weight in silence. This week’s episode of Her Next Power Move explores why it’s lonely at the top, and what you can do to reclaim connection and community. 🎧 Listen now: https://open.substack.com/pub/lmichellesmith/p/ep-10-its-lonely-at-the-top-combating?r=4lpoap&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web And don’t miss the free visual tool I created to help you recognize—and rewire—loneliness before it takes root.