Black women in tech are innovators—pushing boundaries, creating solutions, and shaping the future. Yet, many navigate this journey feeling isolated, unsupported, and burdened by systemic biases that make reaching leadership roles in the E- and C-Suites a steeper climb. The demand for a space to connect, strategize, and grow together has never been clearer. The results are still coming in but, a survey that I’m conducting reveals that…
L. Michelle Smith argues that in today’s high-pressure professional environment, the ability to lead effectively often hinges on an unexpected factor: happiness. Far from being a superficial concept, happiness—grounded in the science of positive psychology—is a deliberate practice that can transform leadership and drive organizational success. For women leaders, particularly women of color navigating systemic challenges, embracing happiness as a tool for empowerment and resilience has never been more…
A recent case study reported a staggering 4X+ annualized ROI for leadership training. That’s $4.15 for every dollar spent! But the benefits go far beyond the dollars. It also enhances workplace culture with ✅ increased collaboration: Leadership training fosters better communication skills, helping teams break silos and work more cohesively. ✅ empowered employees: When leaders model empowerment and inclusivity, it cascades through the organization, creating a culture where…
What is the one thing that is missing from your decision making? Hint: It is something that will make your conclusion stronger, removing doubts and making it far more satisfyingly decisive. If you want to make a decision and sleep even better after, watch today’s video to find out more, and as always, there’s some science to it. I practice this with my high-ranking senior leaders. Eventually, it…
What an honor it is to roll out this brand new class for @cappinstitute’s brand new Advanced Professional Coaching program for Certified Professional & Executive Coach graduates seeking their PCC credential from the ICF! We kick off this morning at 11 a.m. CT and again at 6 p.m. CT. If you’re enrolled, I probably met you during the marketing communications class in November, and I’m looking forward…
As you plot your meetings, events and learning experiences for 2025, please keep me in your consideration set for a take on leadership that infuses science and culture. Better yet, let’s set a meeting to discuss how to tailor a message or workshop to your organization’s needs. I work across industries, virtually and in person. I speak on ✅ the power of positive emotion in leadership ✅ emotional…
How many of you have a career purgatory? 🙋🏽♀️ You know, that place on your resume where you worked because it wasn’t quite what you were looking for, but you had to wait and see it through because that was what was available at the time, and you had bills to pay? I talk about mine in Part 3 of my conversation with TCU Bob Schieffer College of…
By the time I was 21 years old, I took on graduate school and a job at the local CBS affiliate which would eventually become a FOX affiliate. I would head west to Fort Worth in the morning to attend classes at TCU and then drive back east to Dallas to write and associate and field produce for the station. I learned so much while I was there,…
There’s a story that I tell in my latest book, “Yes Please! 7 Ways to Say I’m Entitled to the C-Suite” that chronicles a tense ride down I-30 West with my mother. It was well past the admissions deadline at Texas Christian University, because the college that offered me a full-ride scholarship by mail, took it back when they saw that I was not what they expected–Black. My…
Grief isn’t always about death. Loss can take many forms—a career setback, a missed opportunity, or even dreams dashed or deferred. These hidden weights can quietly linger as we continue to lead others. In my latest video, “5 Ways to Handle Your Grief,” I share strategies grounded in positive psychology to help you manage, process, and grow from these experiences. These tips are designed to support your well-being,…