Seen on local, national and international media outlets, she is a bestselling, award-winning author, Fortune 100 C-Suite advisor, certified global executive and personal coach and the CEO/founder of no silos communications llc. NSC is a media and consulting company that develops high-performing executive leaders with a specialty in women and women of color. Positive psychology and neuroscience-informed and credentialed by the International Coaching Federation, she runs an international coaching and consulting practice where she works with professionals and organizations to create learning and coaching experiences that inspire exceptional lives and leadership. L. Michelle has authored three books. She recently signed with HarperCollins to pen her fourth book, due for release in Winter 2026, Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church is a collaboration between Amistad a HarperCollins Publishers imprint and JVL Media, an imprint founded by EGOT actress and entrepreneur Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Lavaille Lavette.
L. Michelle Smith argues that in today’s high-pressure professional environment, the ability to lead effectively often hinges on an unexpected factor: happiness. Far from being a superficial concept, happiness—grounded in the science of positive psychology—is a deliberate practice that can transform leadership and drive organizational success. For women leaders, particularly women of color navigating systemic challenges, embracing happiness as a tool for empowerment and resilience has never been more vital.
Here's how leaders can leverage the power of positive emotion to build stronger teams, create inclusive cultures, and sustain their own well-being.
Positive psychology tells us that happy people are more successful, not the other way around. Yet many leaders approach happiness as a reward for achievements rather than the foundation of them. Women leaders, research suggests, are uniquely positioned to cultivate this dynamic. Countries led by women score higher on happiness indices, reflecting a correlation between well-being and effective leadership.
“Happiness requires intentionality,” Smith explains. Leaders must actively cultivate positivity within themselves and their teams, creating environments where optimism and collaboration thrive—even in adversity.
Resilience is often celebrated as a hallmark of strong leadership, but Smith cautions that true resilience requires more than enduring hardship—it requires healing. Too often, leaders escape toxic work environments without addressing the scars left behind, carrying unresolved trauma into new challenges. While adversity strengthens leaders, it also demands that they process their experiences and seek support. For women, who frequently face compounded biases and inequities, this healing work is crucial to leveraging resilience as a leadership superpower.
Leadership involves navigating both external pressures and internal narratives. Negative thought patterns—like catastrophizing, overthinking, or "should" thinking—can undermine a leader’s ability to focus and act decisively. These "cognitive distortions" are common but manageable obstacles. The response to them is emotional literacy: the ability to identify and articulate feelings. Using tools like the "feelings wheel" to pinpoint and understand emotions helps leaders regulate their responses and connect more authentically with their teams. Leaders need to "name their emotions to tame them."
Leadership can be isolating, particularly for women breaking into male-dominated spaces. Whether it's joining a new company, leading as the "only" in the room, or navigating unfamiliar territory, isolation erodes confidence and stifles innovation. Community and connection are essential antidotes to isolation. Neuroscience supports this: positive interactions trigger oxytocin—the "love hormone"—which reinforces emotional well-being and group cohesion. For women leaders, fostering connection within and beyond their teams can break the cycle of isolation and inspire collective progress.
Hope is a leadership strategy. “We need hope to plan,” she explains. Hope fuels goal-setting, innovation, and adaptability—qualities every effective leader needs. To foster hope, Smith encourages aligning leadership actions with personal values. For example, recalling joyful moments or reflecting on core beliefs (such as family or faith) can trigger positive emotions like love, gratitude, and serenity. These "happiness triggers" enable leaders to navigate challenges with optimism and creativity.
Transforming Leadership Through Positivity
In a world where negativity dominates headlines and workplaces often prioritize productivity over people, leadership grounded in happiness isn’t just about feeling good—it’s a strategic advantage. By intentionally cultivating positivity, addressing past traumas, and fostering connection, leaders can transform not only their own experiences but also those of their teams.
For women leaders striving to break barriers and redefine leadership, embracing happiness might just be the ultimate power move.
