Her Next Power Move™ — Episode 21 Every year around this time, I start hearing the same quiet confession from even the strongest, most disciplined leaders: “I’m tired in a way that sleep can’t fix.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—nor is your brain betraying you. There’s neuroscience behind the fogginess, the heaviness, the irritability, and the sudden lack of motivation that creeps in as the calendar…
Every leader eventually faces a moment that stops them cold: watching someone who cuts corners, sidesteps accountability, or operates without integrity get ahead. It’s the kind of moment that makes you question not just the environment you’re in, but the meaning of your effort. And it’s far more common—and more neurologically impactful—than people realize. In this week’s episode of Her Next Power Move, leadership expert L. Michelle Smith…
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.…
Ever feel stuck in negative thinking? You might be dealing with cognitive distortions—common thought patterns that shape how you perceive yourself and your world. In the latest episode of Her Next Power Move, I’m diving into how to spot these distortions and, more importantly, how to reframe them for personal growth. Catch the episode here: Her Next Power Move on Substack
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.…
The Culture Soup Podcast has been amplifying conversations at the intersection of tech, culture, and business, and now we are entering year seven. Can you believe? But if there’s one thing I’ve learned after all this time, it’s that change is inevitable—and resilience is the key to thriving. This Black History Month episode was originally supposed to be backed by a major sponsor, filmed live with one of…
In 2019, I did what many corporate types would call “the unthinkable.” I walked away from opportunities at a Fortune 10 after being “surplussed” without a job lined up. Sure, I had opportunities externally. Yes, I had a seedling of a business that I had started, but I wanted to take the time to think through my next step methodically. I had a mission that only a few…
I recall sitting in the newsroom behind a computer at KDFW-TV FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth when the verdict dropped, writing for the early shows that day. I distinctly recall an audible gasp across the newsroom, all for different reasons of course. I remained quiet, but my jaw dropped. Not only was it gobsmacking, it was up to me to write what we called the H’s, or the headlines…