Musings and Media

Unlock Your Team’s Potential with SOAR DISCernIQ™️  Team Dynamics! 🗝️

Ever had the feeling that your team could operate even more like a well-oiled, optimized machine,…

“Read the room”

You’re told, but what if your read isn’t grounded in reality? How can you be sure?…

Dear women leaders…

Don’t miss the chance to transform your leadership journey with SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy. We pushed…

Ready to illuminate your path to leadership excellence?

Book your 90 minute SOAR DISCernIQ™️ Personalized 1:1 session now and embark on a transformative journey.…

How will you invest in women to accelerate progress?

  Happy International Women’s Day! The United Nations’ theme today is Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.…

🌟 Celebrating the Rarity of Black Women Business and Leadership Authors! 🌟

📖 Did you know that the world of business and leadership literature has been graced with…

Where old habits go to die 🧠

Access to information is so important, and everyone doesn’t have it. This is why I spend…

How to work with me this month 📆

It’s March! Wondering how to work with me this month? Whether it’s for a SOAR DISCernIQ™️…

Mastering Phone Conversations with C Style – Conscientiousness 📞

In the grand finale of our four-day series on DISC Styles Phone Communication, let’s dive into…

So this is me struggling a bit to capture some content

From a virtual speaking engagement for a global organization last night from my office/studio. I accidentally…

Navigating Phone Conversations with S Style – Steadiness 🌿

Welcome to the third installment of our four-day series on DISC Styles Phone Communication. Today, let’s…

I had conversations about stagecraft back during lockdown with clients often.

But now that more people are hybrid or back in the office I’ve noticed slippage. I’m…

Elevate Your Phone Connections with I Style – Influence 🎉

Continuing our four-day series on DISC Styles Phone Communication, today, let’s unravel the vibrant world of…

How to communicate with D Style on the phone – Dominance ☎️

Over the next four days, we’ll unravel the secrets of connecting with Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and…

Is there anything good about negative emotion?  🤔

I get asked about negative emotions often. At one of my book signings in DC, a…

Book a History & Future Maker for your Women’s History Month Event  📆

As we approach Women’s History Month in March, I invite you to consider booking me as…

A big named one at that—but somehow it seems that you’re still in the same place…

🎥 Behind the scenes with Coach L. 🌟

I spent part of my morning in production in-studio today. I spend approximately 30% of my…

Eradicate your brain drain with these tips 🧠

You’ve felt mentally exhausted, but how real is “brain drain?” Watch this week’s Moment in The…

Apply for SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy, Supercharged🚀 with DISCernIQ 🚀

Dear women leaders… Don’t miss the chance to transform your leadership journey with SOAR Women’s Leadership…

Let’s kick off Black History Month DISC Style!

MLK was a Chancellor. He changed the world while wielding a mixed core style of DIC.…

One leader’s profound transformation began at SOAR ✈️

Renda’s SWLA experience serves as a compelling illustration of how individuals can enter the SOAR Women’s…

How one leader rediscovered her passions and nabbed a new role at once 🗼

When Paula Spivey enrolled in SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy, she was at a low point. Between the…

Do you know who you are? 🤔

🌟 Dive into Self-Discovery! 🌈 Uncover the magic within you with our FREE webinar, “Who Are…

Let’s make this Black History Month one to remember! 🚀

As we gear up for Black History Month, I’m thrilled to share a unique perspective on…

Nurturing Leadership Excellence: Understanding the Need for Executive Coaching

As the complexities of modern business intensify, the demand for exceptional leadership becomes increasingly pronounced. Within…

What do you need to concentrate and get your best work done

It’s situational for me: ✔ If it’s writing that I need to do, I need ambient…

Hack your problematic boss or colleague 🤪

Have a colleague or boss that simply drains you, and you don’t understand why? Take this…

How SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy changed things for this executive 👠

Imagine this being you, with increased responsibility, offers with substantial raises coming from inside and out…

What they typically don’t tell Black women about getting to the C-Suite, PT 2

Why don’t women, but especially Black and brown women make it to the C-Suite more often?…

What they typically don’t tell Black women about getting to the C-Suite, PT 1

Why don’t women, but especially Black and brown women make it to the C-Suite more often?…

The Value of Executive Coaching: Navigating the Path to Success

In the realm of professional development, the pursuit of excellence often intersects with the question of…

🔍 Nurturing Conscientiousness! 📚 Detail-oriented and systematic, “C” profiles drive precision.

Strength: They ensure quality results. Challenge: May overanalyze or be perceived as overly critical. Opposite Profile:…

The one thing that is damaging your progress 🛑

You’ve dreamed it. You’ve written your goals. You’re even devising SMART actions to support them, but…

🌈 Cultivating Steadiness! 🌱 Steady personalities bring harmony and patience.

Strength: They foster a supportive environment. Challenge: May resist change. Opposite Profile: Dominance (D). Leaders, cherish…

🎉 Embracing Influence! 🤝 “I” profiles are social butterflies, masters of collaboration.

  🎉 Embracing Influence! 🤝 “I” profiles are social butterflies, masters of collaboration.   Strength: They…

🔍 Discovering Dominance! 🏆 Dominant individuals are assertive go-getters.

  🔍 Discovering Dominance! 🏆 Dominant individuals are assertive go-getters. Strength: They drive results with determination.…

The Impact of Executive Coaching: Unveiling Effectiveness and Excellence

In the dynamic landscape of professional development, the effectiveness of executive coaching has garnered widespread attention…

🌐 Unlocking Leadership Potential with DISC! 🚀

Now that we have launched SOARDISCernIQ™️, you may be curious about what makes this particular assessment…

How to regain your focus, despite it all 🧐

It’s hard to regain your focus when you return from a long break away from work.…

📣 Back by popular demand!

The SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy spring 2024 cohort is coming in March! It’s not too early…

Get to know yourself better in 2024 with SOAR DISCernIQ™️ 📊
Watch the webinar.  Take a brief sample DISC Quiz to participate. NSC Coaching has a new…
Unraveling the Power of Executive Coaching: A Guide to Success

  In the fast-paced world of business, the quest for continuous professional growth and development has…

This gremlin’s goal is to isolate you 👿

Go ahead… ask for help. Send the third gremlin that’s sabotaging your goals packing. This is…

The second goal gremlin spawned the first one.  😈

Have you been able to related to the gremlins that can sabotage your goal getting so…

This little gremlin may be doing big damage to your goals. 😈

This week, we’re discussing the three gremlins that can sabotage your goal getting. The first one…

A Unique Perspective on Leadership for Black History Month with A History and Future Maker 🌟

Book L. Michelle Smith, three-time best-selling and award-winning author renowned for her expertise in business and…

It’s time to get serious about 2024 📆

Gift yourself or someone you know with the gift of clarity, intent and a strong start…

I’m currently sitting at my writing desk at home

…Reflecting on blessings before churning out another 10,000 words. Each year, as I ramp down the…

In these waning weeks of the year…

UPDATE: Price increases Dec 15. 2023! Save $100 by booking before then. I’m immersed in the…

What to do now as 2023 comes to a close 📆

How can you finish the year strong with less than 3 weeks to go? Coach L.…

Close out 2023  and start 2024 Strong with Coach L. 💪🏾

Here are some ways to round out the year with my evidence-based and credentialed support, because…

🌟 Embracing the Transformative Power of Art  for Leaders🌟

This weekend, I had the privilege of immersing my family in the spellbinding world of art…

Yes Please! the Audiobook Released on Audible, Amazon & iTunes 🎧

Some have called this leadership book the “cheat code.” Yes Please! 7 Ways to Say I’m…

The reviews are in.

Our half-day workshop for tech leaders wanting to be intentional about their brands received high marks,…

📣 SPEAK UP: Participate in my latest project 🗣️

I need to hear from you if you fit the qualifications that I describe in the…

Yes, I may be late to the party, but fashionably. 👠

Besides, I give most things the side-eye until they are full vetted. And now, here I…

Embracing serenity is vital for leaders, particularly those who face unique challenges at work. 🌟

Today, let’s explore how this positive emotion is a beacon of strength, especially for marginalized leaders,…

How Connections Can Help Manage Stress 🤝

Building strong connections is key to reducing workplace stress. Let’s dive into some neuroscience-inspired strategies for…

Stressed at work? 🤪

All this month, we will be focused on understanding workplace stress and what yu can do…

What’s really behind the power of community? 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

🌟 The Power of Community: Enriching Leadership Journeys 🌟 Did you know that our brains respond…

The one thing you must do to form a new habit 👏🏽

Dear friends… 🎯 Setting clear goals is the roadmap to your personal and leadership development journey.…

Activating three positive emotions at once

  When Andrea Williams, Chief Experience Officer at the Utah Jazz intentionally taps into positive emotion…

How to heal….and move forward. 🚗💨

Sometimes it simply takes more… …to lift you out of moods and mindsets and move you…

Coach L.  Co-Hosts TCU Black Excellence Night with NBC 5’s Newy Scruggs

#FlashbackFriday to last week at the Texas Christian University Black Excellence Night Gala with my cohost,…

I’m headed your way again, DMV!

Meet me for the Executive Leadership Council’s (@elcinfo) Mid-Level Management Symposium, Oct 4-5 at the Gaylord…

Do you doom scroll?

Looking for a way out? Perhaps your answer isn’t simply unlearning the habit. It may be…

Have a cup of tea or coffee with me…☕

Have a cup of coffee or tea with me, and let’s hack your life and leadership…

The sure-fire way to change your life 💯

  So, you want to change your life…your leadership trajectory? What could you accomplish if only…

What is one good habit you’d like to form this month?

Building great new habits that promote leadership and personal development is a crucial aspect of self-improvement.…

NEWS RELEASE: Coach L. Michelle and Dr. Jeff Launch “Coaching + Consulting”

News Release EDITOR’S NOTE: Smith and Gardere will host a private, online kick-off event tonight called…

There is still time to register for our free event tonight.

Join L. Michelle Smith, M.S., ACC, CPEC and Dr. Jeff Gardere, two of the nation’s top…

Join us for Happy Anyway with Dr. Jeff Gardere

Join L. Michelle Smith, M.S., ACC, CPEC and Dr. Jeff Gardere, two of the nation’s top…

Discover Your Purpose-Driven Leadership Journey in The Circle! 🌟

    Leader friends, Are you ready to ignite your leadership journey with purpose? Leadership isn’t…

Fall is coming…

And we are preparing personal and leadership experiences for you that will propel you into your…

Sometimes it simply takes more…

…to lift you out of moods and mindsets and move you forward. So we reimagined things…

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Your leaders and your organization are under increased pressures in business, demands at home and our…

5 Reasons Why Adaptive Leadership Matters in Today’s Business Climate 🌟

Adaptive Leadership is the ability to guide and inspire teams through complex challenges and uncertain environments,…

How deep is your love for books? 📗

National Book Lovers Day was yesterday, but my love for books is an everyday thing with…

It’s time to get in the game

My dad would say this: why would you bring a knife to a gun fight? Hearing…

I’m in a new relationship! 💚    

It’s been a while since I did any endorsements, but this one… well, this is a…

Sign up for the SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy Open House Today ✍🏽️

  We’re opening our doors to you! REGISTER and Click “Classes” You can still register for…

Join Us at the SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy Open House

You’re cordially invited to the SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy Open House for the Fall 2023 cohort.…

Five Ways You Can Work With Me In July

It is very hard to believe that we have almost made it over the hump. How…

Happiness and Leadership

Did you know that being happy can have a profound impact on your leadership journey? There…

Help your people need to find their happy 😃

Caught in the act—doing the work—in Pittsburg, PA, moderating an opening plenary about the changing workplace…

Happy Pub Day, Yes Please! 🥳

Dear friends… When I decided to write Yes Please! 7 Ways to Say I’m Entitled to…

Join my bookclub by saying “Yes Please!” 📗

In less than 30 days, the Yes Please! Launch Crew will welcome new members and morph…

Meet the Author DFW!

Hey, DFW… I call you home, so you go first. I’m pleased to announce that WFAA-TV’s…

Join My Bookclub By Saying “Yes Please!”

In less than 30 days, the Yes Please! Launch Crew will welcome new members and morph…

Engage Coach L. for Your June Leader Experiences

Wow… are we really mid-year already? As you are preparing for mid-year reviews, recalibrating your goals…

Join My Bookclub By Saying “Yes Please!”

In less than 30 days, the Yes Please! Launch Crew will welcome new members and morph…

Why doesn’t the corporate Wonder Woman get promoted?

We all know one… that high performing, superhero of a sister in corporate: Founded an ERG…

Meet the author? Yes Please! 📗

Save the date Dallas/Ft Worth! It’s time to meet the author. Coach L. Michelle will be…

The Circle: Group Coaching, Personal & Leadership Development

Looking for a community to connect and grow with? Introducing The Circle. Join now: bit.ly/NSCTheCircle.

📢 Unlocking Leadership Potential

  As an executive & personal coach, I have witnessed the transformative power of confidence in…

It’s time to get serious about your leadership aspirations.

There is still time to take advantage of early discounts for SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy fall…

What do you deserve, Sis?

Uncover the power of positive emotion, self discovery and and the right mindsets to take you…

Unlock Leadership Potential With AI

Wield weapons of mass innovation.   Your opportunity is now more than ever.   According to…

Take the 3-Day Confidence Booster Challenge with Coach L. !

What if you could boost your self-esteem and push through fear? Join me for the FREE,…

Give a mom leader in your life the gift of personal transformation 👩‍👧‍👦

Special discounts to celebrate mom leaders 💃🏽 With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s a good…

  Sometimes friends and family just don’t understand, and your colleagues aren’t headed where you are.…

Yes, you probably have will power. Most high performing leaders do, but have you noticed that…

Did you know that storytelling can be a powerful tool in your business toolkit? According to…

A credentialed coach can provide the acceleration you need to speed up your process. All week,…

  All week, we’re celebrating International Coaching Week at NSC Coaching. As a member organization and…

Ready to take your career or business to the next level?

  Working with a coach can help you gain clarity on your goals, stay accountable, and…

The unsuspected confidence killer

When you’re outnumbered and singled out daily, it can kill your confidence… Even when being singled…

What fear is holding you back from bossing up? 😨

  Last night, the SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy spring cohort had their third session, and the…

This confidence booster is completely up to you 💯

  I’m back with more ways to boost your confidence. Today’s focus is on the power…

SOAR On Demand Membership

  We are excited to share with you: SOAR On Demand. This monthly membership program is…

Did you read that right? The tool you’ll need to communicate like a boss.

Reading your colleagues’ emotions may require more than EQ. Want to communicate like a boss? Watch…

Spring forward and take a luxurious pause 💅🏽

Spring is here. Have you begun the spring cleaning on your life and aspirations? It’s going…

Yes Please! FAQs

Q1: What is the book “YES PLEASE!” about? Q2: YES PLEASE! is a leadership book, grounded…

About Yes Please!

YES PLEASE! 7 WAYS TO SAY I’M ENTITLED TO THE C-SUITE: SECRETS WOMEN OF COLOR NEED…

Call Up Your Confidence

It’s time you bossed up. In business, your confidence has to come from somewhere, and it…

Join me at the ELC’s Power of Women at Work Conference

Did you know that women can and do play into the male power center by “othering”…

Looking for a solution?

Get crystal clear about the problem first. If you need to get clear on a solution,…

It’s time to get real about the gremlin between your ears 🤔

Negative thoughts are hard to banish. It takes science, and it takes commitment. But mostly, it…

Coach L Michelle Made History at TCU at 19 Years Old

It is officially Women’s History Month. However, on the last day of Black History Month my…

Lunch and Learn with Me Today!

Calling all aspiring leaders! Whether you are looking for personal development, or need someone to walk…

Celebrate YOU Journaling Exercise

Happy Valentines Day! It’s the perfect day to celebrate your love for others, but have you…

Need more insight? 3 ways to get you back on track.

When I explore with leaders ways to get more creative, innovative or productive, I lean into…

SOAR Women’s Leadership Academy

Don’t miss this opportunity for those focused on improving your chances at E-C-Suite roles. Introducing the…

Scattered and trying to find focus?

  We are knee-deep into January. How much have you gotten done? I intentionally took the…

Plan to do the work 👊🏽…No shortcuts in 2023

  In all of your intention and goal setting, vision boarding, do the work. It’s as…

Always Count Your Accomplishments

I kicked off 2022 by releasing book #2.5, SLAY EVERYDAY: 52 Weeks to Rockstar Leadership while…

Time to reconsider?

  If you’re constantly pouring out and they never refill you… you might reconsider. LMichelleSmith.com/TheShift

Fire yourself 👏🏽

I am looking forward to a big vacation this holiday season. It’s the third big one…

  How was your Thanksgiving? I hope it was great like mine. Did you know that…

3 Ways the End of the Year Can Sabotage You

We have something for that… As you’re surfing to get that holiday shopping done between meetings…

Give the gift of leadership transformation.

We’re introducing coaching gift certificates. Get one for your friends, family members or colleagues for the…

Calling all goal getters!

Finish the year from a position of strength, and start 2023 even stronger. The NSC Goal…

How to find a credible coach

These days, you can’t swing a hashtag without hitting a coach. So how can you find…

Know who you are➡️ Know your value➡️Be your best advocate.

…in that order. It is the order of the universe. Your story is your power. I’m…

Rebuke the hustle. It’s a trick.

Interesting interaction with a major manufacturer in aerospace as they were inquiring about a speaking engagement.…

Join The SHIFT Peace & Productivity Mastermind

When life shifts, its time for you to find the message in the mess. Join other…

Are you ready to make The SHIFT?

The SHIFT is your opportunity to transform your busy life and impact your home, work and…

  Where the end game is transformation. An entire cohort of leaders already know what it…

We kick off tonight!

  The best news is that enrollment will remain open until the session begins at 6:30…

Last day to sign up for the NSC Peace & Productivity Challenge

Whether you are • experiencing the crush of life’s surprises and challenges while you’re trying to…

Ready to move from worker bee to leader? 🐝

5 Ways to Shift into Leadership Positioning Ready to shake that “hard worker” reputation in favor…

DEITECH Conference and Career Fair

  Although I spend the lion share of my time supporting extraordinary women leaders , from…

What’s got you stuck in this season?

Did you know that many of us still haven’t dealt with the trauma that the news…

Overwhelmed? Join the Peace & Productivity Challenge

  It may surprise you, but I do more listening than speaking. Watch and learn about…

What if you could have peace in the midst of productivity?

  Join award-winning, bestselling author, speaker and Fortune 100 executive coach L. Michelle Smith for a…

Once, Twice, Three Times a Message

DC Shuffle: Twice in seven days but worth it. “Fine people. Fine clothes. Fine cars.” —No…

No Thanks, The Remix is now available in paperback and ebook worldwide 📕

The paperback of the award-winning No Thanks, The Remix is now available worldwide today in paperback,…

Black Girls in Cyber

Excited to speak to the Board Members of @blackgirlsincyber this evening. The ladies received a special…

How to reclaim your creativity

Wondering why you just can’t get to your “ah-ha” moment? Your brain may simply be too…

Executive Coaches are Stealth for a Reason—I’m Not

  I spent the morning recently speaking to media, and the same question crops up each…

Where are the NSC Rockstar Leadership Tips?

More than 100 leadership insights eternally at your fingertips If you have been missing the NSC…

LMS to Speak at the SharedVoices Launch Event for The Denyce Graves Foundation

  I’m so incredibly thrilled to be speaking to young artists about knowing their value and…

Coach L. Michelle Reveals How to Get Opportunities to Chase You

Someone asked this: what do I do to get opportunities to pursue me? Coach L. Michelle…

Everything is brand new 🤩

Beginning today, the NSC eNewsletter has a new look, feel and tempo. Check your inboxes every…

LMS joins The Denyce Graves Foundation Board of Advisors

About a year ago, I hosted an extremely special guest on my show, The Culture Soup…

Senior Seminar

Excited to announce my return to TCU’s campus in person this fall for a 4000-level course…

What’s distracting you from what you really want?

Have you considered that achieving laser focus can be an act of kindness to yourself? In…

Mastery is your license to mentor

There’s a disease that is rapidly spreading on social media, and that’s people teaching, mentoring or…

Coach L. Michelle Speaks at ELC #MLMS22

They can’t break your soul if you know your value. Join me for the Mid-Level Management…

Your brain is trying to tell you something

Are you giving yourself grace? Or are you attempting to power through as if nothing has…

  What an amazing time of sharing Saturday at the Women’s Leadership Summit. Our panel was…

Coach L. Michelle says: “Yes, Please! Ask me anything!”

  Have a leadership question that you’ve been pondering? You’ve been wondering who you could ask…

LMS to sign copies of No Thanks, The Remix at NABJ-NAHJ Convention at Caesar’s Palace

Shout out to all my fellow National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) members! I cannot wait…

Whether you are a longtime colleague, or you’d like to have an in-person executive coaching session,…

How your words can limit  you

There’s some wisdom in the saying: “Your words have power.” But did you know there is…

There really is only so much merchandising of your own work that you can do. You…

***AS SEEN FIRST ON SLAYNET*** Aloha! Coach L. Michelle is giving away 2 signed copy of…

So what will you do about these blahs that you have?

  The #NSCJournalPrompt can guide you through it. Get your journals ready, and reserve time on…

Leave, then watch the learning that happens

Proximity can be an aspiration killer. When I was running my agency, I recall putting a…

Want to communicate like a boss?

Want to speak with authority? Keep it brief. Today’s #NSCRockstarLeadership Tip of the Day is all…

Last chance to sign up for Goals Mastermind

*WATCH THE VIDEO FOR INFO ON LAST MINUTE SIGN UP!* Space is limited, so sign up…

A little fuzzy on your goals?

Want to know how to get clear on your goals? You must be thoughtful, which means…

**JUST ONE DAY TO KICKOFF**

I have a list of “to-dos,” under one of goals to take my daughter on foreign…

Real leaders push back

  Consistently agreeable? It’s probably why your leadership aspirations are stagnant. Learn to provide a well-informed…

Are you the ultimate cause of your lack of focus? 🤪

Did you know that you might be training your brain to be more distracted by “multitasking”?…

What  are you waiting for? 🙇🏽‍♀️

It may seem like an insignificant thing to cross off a list, but I always wanted…

It’s time to let it go

  Step one—- call it out. Name it. Describe it. Do it in detail. Step two—-dump…

Do you give yourself credit? Or are you making yourself small?

When you think about it, you didn’t come up with that notion at work. It’s a…

How can you work smarter?

You may consider letting go of something if you want to keep it simple and work…

You’re Invited: Midyear Goal Calibration & Strategy Mastermind

Visualize this with me: It’s the end of 2022.  Before you celebrate the New Year, you…

Silence is golden

You can say so much by not saying anything at all. That’s it. That’s the post.

Are you trying to do too much?

  Bigger isn’t always better. In fact, sometimes it can be draining and produce a small…

How to create calm 🕊️

Ready to plan out how you’ll manage your and your team’s stress during this trying time?…

How should corporations recognize Juneteenth?

I’m so glad that the Black leaders at Audible raised this insightful question. I had an awesome…

When it feels like they are coming for you…

Are you facing a challenging time at work? If a toxic boss or culture is closing…

Want to manage your stress during these difficult times?

How do you manage stress as a leader as it seems to be piling on with…

Juneteenth is a holiday. Now what?

I hope that you will wake up early with me on Sunday, June 19th where I…

Get your tribe moving for you

It’s time to put pen to paper to get your tribe moving on your behalf. In…

LMS to sign copies of No Thanks, The Remix at NABJ-NAHJ Convention at Caesar’s Palace

Shout out to all my fellow National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) members! I cannot wait…

What can you do to activate your tribe?

Is there anything else you need to do to activate your tribe? In fact, there are…

What can a mentee do for you? 🤔

It’s time you saw the value in your mentees. This isn’t the YOU show, after all.…

Push back to lead better

Consistently agreeable? It’s probably why your leadership aspirations are stagnant. Learn to provide a well-informed insight.…

Who else should you add to your tribe?

  So who exactly should be a member of your tribe to support your leadership aspirations?…

How to onboard a peer into your tribe

Peers can not only be sponsors. They can be mentors, but the question is: what’s the…

How your words can limit  you

    There’s some wisdom in the saying: “Your words have power.” But did you know…

How peers can add power to your tribe 💪🏽

Should a peer be on your personal board of directors? In part four of our six-part…

How to ignite your tribe

Sometimes, fear grips leaders when they are challenged to reach outside of an organization they’ve known…

Debunking good intent in business

Is it always good intent? Really? We know better. We now have research to back it…

Discover the power of diversifying your tribe

If everyone looks, acts, thinks and works like you, you’ve created an “Amen Corner,” not an…

What if science could help you smash your goals?

Advice from a mentor can only get you so far. What if you had the power…

How to set yourself up for success

  Set a big audacious goal and now you’re just staring at it? You many want…

Sometimes you need a confidant.

  Sometimes friends and family just don’t understand, and your colleagues aren’t headed where you are.…

Who will hold you accountable?

Yes, you probably have will power. Most high performing leaders do, but have you noticed that…

Your goals may be your undoing

One neuroscientist calls these “BUT” goals that you devise on your daily or weekly to-do lists.…

Want to add speed to your goal getting?

You’re clear on your goal, and you are actively pursuing it. But is it taking too…

Does your social media say “C-Suite?”

Remembering that there is no separating your personal and professional online persona, what does your social…

Want to clarify your goals? Get a Coach. 👏🏽

Celebrate International Coaching Week with me! 🎉 All week, we’re celebrating International Coaching Week at NSC…

How to expand your tribe

  How to do get a more junior person to mentor you? I’m not expecting you…

Build a relationship and their criticism will soften

We had a saying in corporate communications when it came to reputation management… sometimes you have…

A year in the books!

  On May 10, 2021, a rebirth occurred… No Thanks, The Remix was born, and it…

Lyric Opera Chicago Taps NSC Coaching

It is rare that I post new business wins with organizations, but this one is pretty…

Ignoring the junior staff members?

In part two of our series on Assembling and Activating Your Tribe, we examine the benefit…

A message without a method or focus

That trite, cliche question that faux, modern-day philosophers raise about a tree falling in a forest…

L Michelle Smith Decoded

  Ever wonder what the secret code is to break into the executive level at top…

L Michelle Smith Speaker Sheet

You don’t realize that you’ve been at a thing for a while until you see that…

How do you remove the sting of formal feedback?

Consider that written feedback seems to be more piercing than the spoken kind. We can stare…

Who is bought in on you fully?

How do you get a great sponsor? Today’s #NSCJournalPrompt gets you started. It’s part of the…

Leave, then watch the learning that happens.

Proximity can be an aspiration killer. When I was running my agency, I recall putting a…

How to secure a sponsor

Have 10-20 years experience under your belt and are at least at the director level? Let’s…

UNT Honors LMS

It’s incredible to be recognized by a university you’ve never actually attended, but I have employed…

Do you give yourself credit? Or are you making yourself small?

  Shrink. When you think about it, you didn’t come up with that notion at work.…

What to do about your low self esteem

Constantly telling yourself you’re inadequate? Engage mindfulness to boost your confidence. Today’s #NSCJournalPrompt has a question…

Workplace trauma lurking in your subconscious?

Did you know that forgiveness is a powerful tool in leadership arsenal? You discuss the merits…

Are your positive affirmations not quite curling over?

They could be your undoing. “Wait, what, LMS??” You say. I know. All of my content…

Grinding instead of dreaming?

  Remember those dreams, my Sister. Take a break from the grind, and reclaim them. Today’s…

Do you let the Internet get into your head?

  Who else is exhausted with the Internet relationship gurus and all their advice? 🙄 👻…

Don’t quit, Sis.

They are banking on you getting tired if you aren’t pushed out first. And perhaps you’re…

Want to communicate like a boss?

Want to speak with authority? Keep it brief. Today’s #NSCRockstarLeadership Tip of the Day is all…

A little fuzzy on your goals?

  Want to know how to get clear on your goals? You must be thoughtful, which…

How to beat the guilt

Someone asks you to do something for them, and you feel the pressure. If that person…

So what will you do about these blahs that you have?

  The #NSCJournalPrompt can guide you through it. Get your journals ready, and reserve time on…

So now we know that brain fog is languishing

To put it simply, languishing is the blahs. We all are struggling with it right now…

Are you ready to SLAY your leadership goals?

These freebies will get you on your way! 😎 ✅ Trying to gain clarity around your…

Your brain is trying to tell you something

But are you listening?  Are you giving yourself grace? Or are you attempting to power through…

Who is ready to SLAY their leadership goals?

  I’ll talk about my new journal, SLAY EVERYDAY 52 Weeks to Rockstar leadership with Cleo…

Join L Michelle Live

Join me LIVE on @wfaagmt for a special Women’s History Month segment, where I will share…

Maybe its time you let something go

Are you doing all the things? I have some powerful questions that could lead you back…

Are you selling yourself short?

Look, I’m guilty of it too. In fact, when my I release my next book, Yes,…

Are you overdoing it?

So you’ve dialed back all the extra you do at work, but now you’ve replaced all…

How will you take action?

  It’s on you, my sister. Today’s #NSCJournalPrompts challenges you to put actions behind your words.…

How to know when you need to pull back.

You have two glasses. Fill the first glass with the time and effort you are giving…

What should women of color do now?

  It’s been a long three years. The health and economic crisis has been quite a…

How can you #breakthebias?

Advocacy may be easier than you think. As we are poised to celebrate #InternationalWomensDay, a question…

How mindful listening can work for you.

Are you really tuned in? Today’s #NSCJournalPrompt is about mindful listening. Not only is it important…

Lose the nod. Gain authority.

How do you know if someone you are speaking to is listening? I use to media…

How to be a better listener

Listen mindfully. Know any one who no matter what you share, always chimes in with I,…

Join LMS for a Conversation about Executive Coaching LIVE

  Wondering what executive coaching is like from a credentialed advisor that works with leaders from…

How to engage your brain better

Are you too busy being busy in meetings to remember, let alone lead? The responses have…

How stress can help you to remember details

Stop the note taking, Sis. I understand that you want to remember everything when you are…

How to make your message memorable

Give them a reason to remember.  The science behind storytelling. Need your team to remember something?…

How to get clearer on the monkey business

Can you see the 500,000 pound gorilla pacing your floor? Inattentive blindness can be a hindrance…

Shift your perspective

Sometimes, what’s obvious isn’t what’s causing the problem. I remember once when there seemed to be…

Handle your toxic boss with science

How do you handle a toxic boss? One tactic that many of them use is to…

How to take your time back

Ready to take back your time? ⏲️ Let’s get focused. 👓 That means you need a…

You’re being taxed twice. How will you reel it in?

I shared this with my Black women leaders and others in my private online community SLAYNET…

How to be more focused

Are you the ultimate cause of your lack of focus? 🤪 You’re training your brain to…

The smartest way to enter a new role

  Start planning for your next 👏🏽 I know. It’s exciting, and you’ve wanted to be…

Are you giving someone else the reins on your career? You just might be

I remember having a conversation with a trusted tribe member, a key member of my personal…

    Women leaders, especially my women of color… are you pouring out without replenishing? You…

These two words can make a difference in your ascent. So what will you do about it?

  We discussed two key concepts, calibration and succession, in the #NSCRockstarLeadership tip of the day…

Release The Villains

Headed into the weekend feeling lighter like… Great group coaching session that blended mindfulness and neuroscience…

It’s Time To Let It Go

Step one—- call it out. Name it. Describe it. Do it in detail. Step two—-dump it.…

Want to make your positive affirmations even more potent?

Want to make your positive affirmations even more potent? We’ve learned that your brain needs proof…

Microwaveable success only works in the kitchen

I understand. Your social media timeline is seductive. It appears that some people gain overnight success.…

Who’s holding you back?

Sometimes the person that is holding us back most is staring back at us in the…

How to stop the self sabotage in its tracks

Our brains thrive on repetition. It’s why those limiting beliefs resurface time and time again. Want…

Are you in a holding pattern?

Face it. It’s how we were all taught. When you were a child, it probably made…

What an incredible year!

As a leader, it is always important to look back and reflect on your wins. At…

Welcome to 2022!  It’s finally here…

Welcome to 2022! It’s finally here… SLAY EVERY DAY: 52 Weeks to Rockstar Leadership is available…

Engaging Your Brain to Boost Your Positive Self-talk

You really can conquer self-doubt, but you will need to supercharge your positive self-talk by engaging…

Social Media Engagement that Matters with the Opera America PR & Marketing Forum

Brand leadership depends on strategic communications, just as executive leadership relies on a well articulated personal…

Did you know that you can create your own success?

Try making a little progress. According to neuroscience, progress begets motivation, which begets more progress. This…

2021 Cyber Monday No Thanks Deal

Let’s celebrate the holidays with some upward mobility and an insane Cyber Monday deal. Download the…

Where does the money reside for the business minded?

  It’s impact over everything, SIs. You’re a business boss. You are focused on upward movement…

What’s distracting you from what you really want?

Have you considered that achieving laser focus can be an act of kindness to yourself? In…

Isn’t time you made like Nike and just do it? What would happen if you replaced…

Are you doing the “office housework”?

Ladies… do you pride yourself in taking copious notes in each meeting? Please stop. It’s called…

Do you trust your gut?

Some of the ANTs are there for a real reason. I mentioned “survivor brain” last week.…

Boss Moves:  Clear Your Calendar for the Day…with no warning.

… not because your ill.… not because it’s a light day.… not because of anything……but, because…

How to de-fang your inner critic

Why do you even have limiting beliefs that hold you back? According to cognitive behavioral theory…

How to Control The Boogieman in Your Inbox

Admit it… you’ve felt it. Email dread is real. I never will forget being at the…

Are you living a double life?

Our parents taught us to do it. You know… Live two lives. It’s that form of…

How to Leverage Automation to Empower Your Team

“No one goes it alone.” You’ve heard that one before, and it’s true. But I joke…

Living with intent can get you places!

Is your biggest flex that you’ve never actually sought a role in your career…people just came…

How measures make your accomplishments matter

How are you doing against your goals? It isn’t that you aren’t meeting or exceeding them.…

Is it really imposter syndrome you are feeling?

Imposter syndrome has become a popular catch-all phrase for all sorts of self-doubt. But is what…

YOUR BRAND….

Is the intentional experience people have with you. Everything you do to ensure it is simply…

Global DE & I Summit (October 11-15)

  To all the FHamily in my social media community, I’m looking forward to making a…

This Little Girl Was Me

Or is it? Some think if not for the grainy image, it is probably my daughter Joni…

Transition into the new gig like the rockstar leader you are

So many of my clients have landed new gigs within the last several months, and many…

3 Ways Leaders Can Improve The Way They Communicate in Challenging Situations

This is especially important during times where much of the interactions we are having are virtual,…

Do you operate from a position of scarcity or abundance?

Do you operate from a position of scarcity or abundance? Now, I’m not into the trendy…

Promoted to VP 6 Months Ago, 3 Months in, She Was Given GLOBAL Responsibility

Headline: Promoted to VP six months ago, 3 months in, she was given global responsibility. Industry:…

She’s Making FOUR Times What She Was Making

Headline: She’s making four times what she was making, and doing it for one of the…

Her Suite Dreams Lead Her to The Top

Headline: Her suite dreams lead her to the top, now reporting to the Publisher at one…

She’s Walking into the C-Suite Now with Her Head up High

Headline:  She’s Walking into the C-Suite Now with her head up high and her nails painted…

Are you controlling or being controlled?

If you are a woman, chances are that the answer could be “both-and.” Did you know…

It’s Virtual.  It’s Monthly. It’s all about your next.

If you are looking for a way to take your leadership vision to an actionable plan,…

A bad apple in your basket?

Some lessons in life are also lessons in business. Guard access to yourself. Not everyone has…

Are you undercutting your credibility?

You’re finally getting called on to do the “sexy stuff.” You know, you’re beginning to get…

Surviving AND Thriving in a Changing Workplace (DOWNLOAD)

How do you lead through unprecedented change? This is the question that leaders are continually faced…

Dress the part now, Sis!

First impressions are only part of it. And while, many women of color concern themselves what…

Who is standing in the way of your happiness?

“If only this person would stop…“If only that person would let…“If only my company did…I could…

Unseen. Unheard. How will you change that?

On my most recent venture out on the trails, my daughter and I headed out to…

How to handle Mansplaining and Whitesplaning As it Happens

Mansplaining and Whitesplaining happen in broad daylight in rooms, virtual or not. There are witnesses. So…

ZAPIER: 3 Ways to Gear Up for More Change

I remember it clearly. I was planning our annual spring break quest to Disney, just me…

7+ Deep Questions to Connect with Your Dreams

If you’ve read my new book No, Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself,…

Carve out some dedicated time for your goals once a day

  High performing executives are so busy killing it for everyone else, that many times they…

It’s time you were intentional about your leadership goals.

“I’ve never looked for a position in my entire career.” That’s an excellent position to be…

What Would Jim Do? 6 Ways to Do for You When Negotiating Your Salary #EqualPayDay

It’s #EqualPayDay! Let’s ask for what we’re worth, but that requires that you do something for…

It’s a job, not a marriage.

Where does treating your relationship with your company like a marriage get you? . ❌You discuss…

Trying not to be “too out there”

You work hard, and you are finally getting the recognition.  But know one knows it.  You…

How to spot a microaggressive bully in the workplace

Do you know how to spot a microagressive bully in the workplace? Hint: they aren’t who…

Giving yourself permission to walk and talk like a boss
Have you ever been in an environment that resisted the idea that anyone under a certain…
Who does she think she is?

Do you understand that one way privilege of any ilk presents itself is when someone automatically…

A letter to my brothers…

My brothers… Please be careful. You sound like the All Lives Matter crew when you question…

Inauguration Day: What a Day for Women of Color!

WHAT A DAY FOR WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR!!! Yesterday, I joined millions of women who…

What if you are relying on false resilience?

You can’t swing a hashtag without hitting a social media post or leadership article about resilience,…

Membership has its privileges

It’s Virtual. It’s Monthly. It’s all about your next, and membership has its privileges. If you…

The road less traveled has requirements

Another great hike today, this time on a trail that ranked as “moderate.” It had some…

Are You Wishing On a Vision?

It’s a very popular trend–vision boarding.  Maybe this year, the party may not be the same.…

If she only knew…

If she only knew… Early on, she recognized how people spoke over her. Telling her what…

Taking Power Out of the Mentorship Paradigm

Are you stuck thinking that your mentors must be more powerful or more senior than you…

That sponsor of yours all talk and no action!? Rely on YOU

You need a sponsor on your personal board of directors, they tell you. So you get…

Are you being mindful of your small gestures?

Are you being mindful of your small gestures? We examine this in my new book No…

Engage the 80:20 Rule for Employee Advocacy

  Filling your #Linkedin timeline with “corporate rah rah?” …and that’s a good look for whom, again, Sis?…

Want to be a Rockstar Leader?  Be Genuine.

Want to lead like a rockstar? Be genuine. Do you really want to be mistaken for…

About our hair at work: Let us live. Leave us alone.

Here’s the deal: that our hair is even a topic at work, positive or negative, is…

What bad behavior are you tolerating?

Sis, what are you telling yourself that allows the bad acting to continue to hurt you…

Lead with Weapons of Mass Innovation

Are you sleeping on the technology that can support your goals to become the rockstar leader…

Know the Office Busy Body; Seize the Opportunity

Stay away from office gossip, yes…but keep the office gossip close.  I’m talking about that office…

Knowing Your Why is Jetfuel to Extraordinary Leadership

Are you stuck telling people what you do? It’s probably why you aren’t attracting the people…

Optimizing your prime real estate on LinkedIn

Are you optimizing the most important social real estate you have on #LinkedIn? I’m talking about…

Karen’s gonna Karen

Last night’s VP debates put our superpowers as women of color on display. It showcased a…

Pushing Through with Gratitude and Hope

It’s rough out here, Sis. How are you hanging in? I just wrapped a recording of…

Celebrating the opportunities in the storm

  My week has been amazing. First, so many of you wished me a happy birthday,…

What Does Rappers Delight have to do with Rockstar Leadership?

Sis, we have rockstar leadership qualities in our DNA. We simply need to tap into them!…

Fake Eagles in the Midst?  You need a powerful Tribe, Sis.

    Did you know that there are small-minded people in very high places? You may…

Are you editing yourself, Sis?

  Are you editing yourself at work? Is there something you need to say, but won’t?…

Small Businesses: Are you being tested? Support is here.

To my entrepreneurs… How are you doing? That’s a real question. I want to know. These…

How do you take no for an answer?

We have an interesting relationship with the word no. We don’t know when to use it…

It really isn’t ours to fix

If a domestic abuse victim survives, is the burden on the victim to explain and correct…

What if they aren’t hearing me?

On @theculturesoup, @jarretthill and I discussed how there are so many allies who are articulating so…

What will you actually DO to impact real change for black employees?

  I usually begin my messages with storytelling, and while I could tell any number of…

Have you checked on your black friends & colleagues?

  Allies… have you texted, called, emailed, sent a carrier pigeon to check on your black…

What are you learning from this crisis?
What do you know now that you didn’t before coronavirus changed everything? This pandemic has blown…
5 Ways to Lead with Tech in a Fractured Digital Age

WATCH: Today’s #NSCRockstarLeadership Tip of the Day– Lead with Tech. A couple nuggets for you in…

5 Ways Leaders Can Prepare for What’s Next After Covid-19

  I had a wonderful time engaging with 100 of the Executive Leadership Council’s finest mid-level…

FREE NSC Small Biz COVID-19 Recovery Checklist

LISTEN NOW: NSC Small Biz Covid-19 Recovery Audiocast Concerned about the future of your small business?…

Coach Yourself Through Covid-19
Editor’s Note: We are constantly updating this post with links to new resources in the sidebar…
Executive Presence Series: Rock the Platform

It has happened… You have been asked to take the stage—to moderate, to be a panelist,…

13 Reasons Why People Hate Posting on LinkedIn—and a Cure

  You’re scared.  Admit it. You’ve been thinking about it.   In fact, you have a draft…

NSC Executive & Business Coaching: Leading Through Change
Our program starting April 3, 202o is Leading Through Change: A New Normal Calls for Rockstar…
6 Tips for Your Next EmCee Gig

DIFFERENT SKILLS are required for different opportunities.  The more skills you’ve honed, the more repeat invitations…

NSC Privacy Policy

  no silos communications llc will never sell your information.

What to do when you need more clients…yesterday.

  I wrote an open letter for an upcoming article in Black Enterprise because the U.S.…

Great Day 1 of Business Coaching at The Black Enterprise FWD

Great day! Started slow, but I’m the queen of strategic pivots. Hit the cyber pavement and…

  The Women’s Opera Network hosted a webinar featuring a fireside chat where I broke down…

#BlackGirlMagic Mastermind

Are you a Black Woman in Corporate America, navigating the workplace and trying to break into…

LMS Launches Professional Executive & Business Coaching Private Practice

I’m celebrating the official Day 1 of the launch of my professional, private executive and business…

FAQ: Coaching V. Mentoring—Which is for you?

Q1: What is the difference between mentoring and coaching? A1: Mentoring is a time where the…

A Turn off the Beaten Path That I Will Never Forget

When I agreed to travel to Jackson, Tennessee, to speak to students, faculty, staff and community…

Introducing: #30MinuteMentor Master Classes

I’m pleased to announced #30MM Master Classes for the 2019 calendar year.  I will host at…

Got Business #RelationshipGoals?

  If so, then I have tools for you!  I have four very popular articles that…

Power Relationships eBook

    This special download is yours for free.  You will learn tips on how to…

A Lesson on Microaggressions in Two Languages at the Local Deli

Like many people, I occasionally wear shirts or tops with words on them.  I enjoy them. …

Honors Guest Lecture at TCU

I’m headed your way,  Texas Christian University Bob Schieffer School of Strategic Communicationy.  It’s time to…

Is Employee Advocacy at Odds with Building Your  Personal Brand?

Within the past several years, companies have adopted digital employee advocacy as a way to harness…

‘Hamilton’s’ Miranda, Music and Mobile Equals Business Marketing Magic)

(Lin-Manuel Miranda. Image: Flickr/Steve Jurvetso) Marketers can take a cue from Broadway in time for a…

7 Keys to Creativity: Unlock Your Genius

(Image: iStock/PeopleImages) Even the most creativity-averse people can tap into their creative genius It’s easy to…

5 Tried-and-True Ways to Build Great Business Relationships

(Image: iStock/mapodile) Building business relationships that will propel your career does not come naturally to most.…

5 Keys to Power Rapport Building for Networking

Networking is all the rage, but if you’re introverted, the idea of meeting someone cold is…

Black Journalism Veterans Share Tips on Powerful Storytelling
The energy at this year’s National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention was palpable, but it…
What Marketers Can Learn from The Carters
They are dropping entire albums with a single post to Instagram on a random Saturday afternoon.…
Social Media: A Digital Portal for Access, an Opportunity and a Voice
Published on October 18, 2016 on LinkedIn On Oct 6, 2016, I spoke to students, faculty…
5 Keys to Building Your Own Board of Directors
Published on March 28, 2017 on LinkedIn It’s hard to know much about how I came…
Bringing Inclusion to the Opera
Published on June 14, 2018 on LinkedIn I've been to one opera in my life, but…
What Chicken Fries Have to Do With It
Working at a nonprofit can sometimes feel like a thankless job. Having worked with countless executive…
Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work As a Black Woman — Unpacked (Part 2)
In the final installment of this 2-part series, we dive deeper with these extraordinary women and…

I am a Black Enterprise Contributor.  

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