Bernadette Smith 10/4/24 Bernadette Smith 10/4/24

5 Things / Service

This week, I’ve been thinking about the horrible destruction and loss from Hurricane Helene. I’ve noticed a common theme shared by my friends and colleagues affected by the storm: people coming together in service to others. Good people compassionately showing up to help.

Bernadette Smith 9/27/24 Bernadette Smith 9/27/24

5 Things / Client-Facing

I’ve recently booked several keynotes for audiences of sales professionals. I love this particular work because these are the people who are the face of the brand, yet often miss out on inclusion programming because they’re on the road or in the field.

Bernadette Smith 9/20/24 Bernadette Smith 9/20/24

5 Things / Cruising

This week I took my first cruise vacation. Wow, cruises are great for people-watching, although around huge groups of strangers, I’m quite reserved at first. My partner’s the chatty one. I realized that I don’t always feel safe to open myself up to judgment by strangers who may or may not accept me.

Bernadette Smith 9/13/24 Bernadette Smith 9/13/24

5 Things / Cheerleaders

The persistent theme in my conversations with organizations of all kinds is disconnection. Even organizations with a strong legacy culture have struggled to recapture connection post-Covid. Here’s what I know: we all need a Pop, a cheerleader – and we can all do a better job of cheering on others.

Bernadette Smith 9/6/24 Bernadette Smith 9/6/24

5 Things / Hang On

OK, let’s get real: I’m sick of hearing about this Robby Starbuck creep and companies pulling back from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and DEI more broadly.