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Michael H Smith
Michael H Smith
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Michael H Smith
Michael H Smith
About
Services
Speaking
Testimonials
Blog
Start The Conversation
About
Services
Speaking
Testimonials
Blog
Start The Conversation
Why Even the Best Leaders Get "Stuck"
Leadership, Mentorship Michael Smith 3/30/26 Leadership, Mentorship Michael Smith 3/30/26

Why Even the Best Leaders Get "Stuck"

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The Power of the Monthly "Pulse Check"
Mentorship, Leadership Michael Smith 3/23/26 Mentorship, Leadership Michael Smith 3/23/26

The Power of the Monthly "Pulse Check"

f the first time you hear about a team member's desire for change is during an exit interview, you've missed a massive opportunity.

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The "Open-Handed" Offer: Why I Tell New Hires They Can Leave
Leadership Michael Smith 3/16/26 Leadership Michael Smith 3/16/26

The "Open-Handed" Offer: Why I Tell New Hires They Can Leave

"Why I tell my 'A' players they can leave—and why that promise actually makes them want to stay. A look at the 'Open-Handed' approach to mentorship and growth."

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Crossing the Decision Line: The Secret to Meeting Clarity
Leadership, Communication Michael Smith 2/5/26 Leadership, Communication Michael Smith 2/5/26

Crossing the Decision Line: The Secret to Meeting Clarity

Unproductive meetings often stem from a lack of clarity regarding whether the team is brainstorming or executing.

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Leadership for the Long Haul: Lessons from the Giants
Leadership Michael Smith 1/28/26 Leadership Michael Smith 1/28/26

Leadership for the Long Haul: Lessons from the Giants

Great leaders aren’t born in calm moments; they are forged through struggle and reflection.

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The Power of the Pause: Why You Shouldn’t "Hit Send" Just Yet
Leadership, Communication Michael Smith 1/23/26 Leadership, Communication Michael Smith 1/23/26

The Power of the Pause: Why You Shouldn’t "Hit Send" Just Yet

"Abraham Lincoln had a secret file discovered only after his death. It wasn't filled with state secrets, but with scathing, unsent letters. Why did one of history’s greatest leaders choose to stay silent when he was at his most frustrated? Discover how the 'Power of the Pause' can save your leadership and your team."

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AI Wrote It. It Wasn't Me.
Communication, Leadership Michael Smith 1/17/26 Communication, Leadership Michael Smith 1/17/26

AI Wrote It. It Wasn't Me.

In the 1960s, world leaders relied on a literal "room full of experts" to refine their vision; today, that same strategic power fits in your pocket. Learn how to stop being the "drafter" and start leading as the Editor-in-Chief of your own AI creative partner.

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The Blueprint for a Thriving Team
Communication, work Michael Smith 11/10/25 Communication, work Michael Smith 11/10/25

The Blueprint for a Thriving Team

Look for candidates who are hungry, humble, and smart.

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What Conversation Are We Having?
Leadership, work, Communication Michael Smith 10/28/25 Leadership, work, Communication Michael Smith 10/28/25

What Conversation Are We Having?

One way to bridge the gap between wasteful and productive meetings is to identify the type of conversation we are having—or need to have—in our meetings.

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The Upside of Impostor Syndrome
Leadership Michael Smith 9/16/25 Leadership Michael Smith 9/16/25

The Upside of Impostor Syndrome

Feelings of self-doubt are not a sign of weakness.

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Leadership Is A Non-Negotiable
Leadership, work Michael Smith 9/9/25 Leadership, work Michael Smith 9/9/25

Leadership Is A Non-Negotiable

Promoting leadership at every level keeps a team engaged and goal-focused.

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You May Not Need a Supervisor. But You Still Need a Leader.
Leadership Michael Smith 8/27/25 Leadership Michael Smith 8/27/25

You May Not Need a Supervisor. But You Still Need a Leader.

True leaders should do more than just hold team members accountable for their job expectations.

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Plan the Exit Like You Plan the Entrance
Leadership, Communication Michael Smith 8/18/25 Leadership, Communication Michael Smith 8/18/25

Plan the Exit Like You Plan the Entrance

We focus on the things the audience will see—the "onstage" moments.

But what about the moments in between? The "offstage" work?

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Great Organizations are Coaching Organizations
Leadership Michael Smith 7/29/25 Leadership Michael Smith 7/29/25

Great Organizations are Coaching Organizations

Coaching is not simply another leadership tactic.

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The Investment I Almost Wasted
Leadership Michael Smith 2/2/24 Leadership Michael Smith 2/2/24

The Investment I Almost Wasted

“Growing our people so they stay is the goal—but giving them the wings to soar is also success."

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When My Job Became My God
Life Planning, Spiritual Journey, work Michael Smith 9/18/23 Life Planning, Spiritual Journey, work Michael Smith 9/18/23

When My Job Became My God

I had the wrong priorities and was finding my identity through the wrong source.

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How You Respond to Failure Is What Matters
Leadership Michael Smith 7/27/22 Leadership Michael Smith 7/27/22

How You Respond to Failure Is What Matters

I started to blame others, but …

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No Surprises Please
Communication, Leadership Michael Smith 1/9/17 Communication, Leadership Michael Smith 1/9/17

No Surprises Please

The opposite of being surprised at work is open, honest communication and this type of communication encourages support and buy-in. 

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Leadership msmith 3/25/13 Leadership msmith 3/25/13

4 Obstacles Moses Faced as a Leader

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MONDAY MORNING LEADERSHIP THOUGHT

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