Professional speaker and business coach L. Michelle Smith says Black women in corporate America are taught to blend in. “If I stand out, if I shine, I get backlash,” Smith says. “I heard from women who lost their positions because the shine got too bright.” That’s why Smith says she wrote her latest book, “No, Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Include Myself,” which Smith describes as a “hardcore leadership…
I’m gifting THREE free #nothanks protective masks today only for three random folks who go to nothanksbook.com and buy a paperback of No Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself. Say #NoThanks to community spread while you make a statement about leadership and inclusion. These breathable, comfortable, protective masks will make a fashion statement while you keep yourself, colleagues and sisterfriends safe. I love the stretchiness of them. Get the signed, paperback…
In a piece from Harvard Business Review, Zuhairah Washington and Lauren Morgan say that “women of color don’t need to be told to “lean in.” Research shows that the vast majority of them have confidence and ambition, determination and desire.” Stated in the article’s title, women of color simply “get less support at work.” This concept is not lost on executive coach, author and speaker L. Michelle Smith.…
What is the opportunity for outsiders in privilege? This conversation between America’s Psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere and myself unpacks a very nuanced view on privilege which can unlock a new mindset for Women of Color battling bias on their way to executive leadership. Here is one of the many gems jammed pack in my book No Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself about how to…
I kicked off my national media tour with the crew from Rolling Out AM Wake Up Call! Thanks for having me on, Munson Steed and the hosts, Romeo, Tiara and Minnie. We discussed my new book No Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself. It will be available later this week on BlackBookstore.com and right now at nothanksbook.com. The audiobook drops very soon,…
Are you sleeping on the technology that can support your goals to become the rockstar leader that you know you can be? Are you having others leverage it on your behalf? It’s time you took control. This new fractured, digital and cultural economy demands it. Today, I’m talking about wielding those weapons of mass innovation, Sis. You know, the ones that you’ve been avoiding that now have become…
Are you stuck telling people what you do? It’s probably why you aren’t attracting the people and opportunities that will solidify you as an extraordinary leader. Share your why instead for a more powerful impact. Brands make this mistake all the time. They share what their product does before they ever get to the purpose… the why behind it all…the value it provides. People follow you because they…
Last night’s VP debates put our superpowers as women of color on display. It showcased a professional black woman’s ability to navigate spaces that were not built with us in mind with grace, resilience and no nonsense. Kamala represented us well. We do this masterfully everyday. We’ve cultivated this even when the lights aren’t shining on us on the national stage. And yet, the moderator was largely protected…
I really enjoyed this conversation about my new book, No Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself on NBC DFW today with Kristi Nelson and Sheryl Adkins-Green. Sheryl is one of the voices in the book. She speaks on what it takes to maintain your authenticity in an environment that may push back on it. Here is a look at the conversation. Audio and video were…