Bernadette Smith 4/18/25 Bernadette Smith 4/18/25

5 Things / Transparency

I’ve remembered a truth lately: when things feel shaky, people want more communication, not less. Even if it’s imperfect. Even if it’s “we don’t know yet.” Especially then.

Bernadette Smith 4/11/25 Bernadette Smith 4/11/25

5 Things / FAQ

I enjoyed a few days last week in Monterrey, MX, a beautiful, vibrant city in the mountains with a kind pickleball community. It reminded me that community is everywhere if you look for it. Feel free to follow me on Instagram.

Bernadette Smith 3/14/25 Bernadette Smith 3/14/25

5 Things / Lead with Humanity

It’s been five years since COVID changed everything. The whiplash in our workplaces was unprecedented. For a minute, our walls came down. We saw our colleagues’ beautiful, complicated humanity: Zoom interruptions from kids and pets, real emotions spilling out. The possibility for more meaningful connections was right there. I bet you made some.

Bernadette Smith 2/28/25 Bernadette Smith 2/28/25

5 Things / Strategic Play

I'm competing in an LGBTQ pickleball tournament today and slowly finding a queer pickleball community here in Chicago. I played five times this week; I had plenty of time with no keynotes on the schedule. Entrepreneurship brings uncertainty but it also brings the privilege of freedom – if we accept it.

Bernadette Smith 2/14/25 Bernadette Smith 2/14/25

5 Things / A Shortcut

I gave a speech this week where I talked about my divorce and how the distraction led to mistakes at work. Because I didn’t tell anyone, I never gave them a chance to be understanding or empathetic.