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Brandon Smith shared thisI have to admit. I take "coaching" for granted. As someone with a deep passion for being present with others as they navigate life, I just assume that if I tell a client to "spend 10% of your time coaching and developing your direct reports," they know what I mean. They don't and that's on me. If you want to be a better coach (at work and at home), consider the following practices: 1) Coaching is more about asking the right questions than giving the perfect advice. Open by asking a question. For example, consider any of the following: "What are you working on right now? If you could wave a magic wand, what would you change? What do you think you need to do going forward?" 2) Resist jumping in too early with solutions. If you are like most of my clients, you want to cut to the chase and give them the answer. Don't do that. Let them work through the solution on their own. This is where confidence and competence are developed. 3) Ask for permission before you offer advice. As my good friend and business partner, Randy Hain, would say, "Ask for permission" before you deliver advice. Consider the following: "I have a few thoughts. Would it be helpful if I shared them?" Practice these three coaching best practices, and you'll be on your way in no time. ________________ I’m Brandon Smith, executive coach, curer of workplace dysfunction, and co-founder of My Leadership Foundry. I help executives and their organizations develop stronger leaders through practical coaching, leadership development, team retreats and speaking engagements that drive real-world impact. If you’d like to start a conversation, DM me.
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Brandon Smith shared thisI’m thrilled to be co-teaching Presenting with Confidence for Leaders with Sue Anthony at Emory University on June 17–18, 2026! This immersive 2-day experience is designed for leaders who want to move beyond theory and build real confidence through practice. Participants will engage in intensive speaking exercises and receive personalized feedback to elevate their presence and impact. If you’re ready to sharpen your presentation skills and connect with other forward-thinking leaders, I hope you’ll join us. Hurry! Deadline to register is June 12: https://lnkd.in/eh7r9JCQ #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveEducation #CommunicationSkills #PresentationSkills #EmoryUniversity #ProfessionalGrowth
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Brandon Smith shared thisIf everything is a priority, nothing is. Too much hot sauce creates chaos and confusion. But the right amount drives clarity and focus.
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Brandon Smith shared thisI often ask my coaching clients, "Are you trying to win an MVP or are you trying to win a world championship?" Sometimes we get caught up doing the work ("Authoring") when we should be directing and leading the work ("Editing"). Head coaches set the strategy and set the culture. That’s your job as a leader: not to score the most points, but to lead your team to a championship.
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Brandon Smith shared thisIf you’ve been mismanaging urgency, the fix isn’t complicated. If you want to handle urgency the right way... and make sure you’re not dumping unnecessary "hot sauce" from your leadership kitchen, start here: 1 — Own what you’re feeling. Down push anxiety down to your team. 2 — Get clear on priorities. Not everything is urgent. Decide what actually matters, then put real dates and deadlines behind it. 3 — Be intentional with the heat. Urgency should create focus, not chaos. Make sure your team is aligned on the "why," the "what," and the "when"—every time.
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Brandon Smith reposted thisBrandon Smith reposted thisIn today’s fast-paced, high-stakes business environment, the ability to present ideas clearly and confidently is a critical leadership skill. In this interactive Business over Breakfast session, Brandon Smith explores proven strategies to help you communicate with greater clarity, project confidence under pressure, and build credibility with any audience. Whether you're leading a team meeting, pitching to stakeholders, or speaking at a conference, you'll walk away with practical tools to structure your message, manage nerves, and deliver with presence. Join us on May 21 to sharpen your executive communication skills and set the stage for greater influence and impact! Register today: https://lnkd.in/gxjxcgtQ
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Brandon Smith shared thisI’m excited to be co-teaching Presenting with Confidence for Leaders with Sue Anthony at Emory University on June 17–18, 2026! If you’re a leader or have an employee(s) looking to elevate your presentation skills, communicate more effectively, and increase your influence, this program was designed with you in mind. Over two days, you’ll gain practical experience presenting, receive targeted feedback, and build the confidence to lead high-stakes conversations and presentations with impact. Join us: https://lnkd.in/eh7r9JCQ #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #PresentationSkills #ProfessionalGrowth #GoizuetaBusinessSchool
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Brandon Smith shared thisWe live in a world where everything is urgent all of the time. And yet, rarely do leaders actually utilize urgency the right way. We’re kicking off a new series on managing urgency, starting with how to differentiate between what’s urgent from what’s important.
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Brandon Smith shared thisI love the word “agency.” Agency, that sense that we are enough in the world, is the source of competence and confidence. When we have agency, we embrace change and possess resilience. So how do we develop agency? The starting place is sitting in the "Author" seat. As a leader, if you want to foster agency throughout your organization, you need to sit in the "Editor" seat and encourage others to sit in the "Author" seat. Play the role of coach. The starting place to foster agency in others is to require direct reports to always bring an "authored" point of view to every 1:1 with you. It will be uncomfortable for some, but make no mistake, it is the path to helping those around you grow as professionals and as people.
Brandon Smith commented on a post
1mo
Our full conversation with links to additional resources is available here: https://myleadershipfoundry.com/navigating-the-quarterlife-career-crisis-and-how-leaders-can-help-with-author-scott-doyne/
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Brandon Smith liked thisGrowth starts at the edge of your comfort zone. Iam delighted to announce my graduation from the Leadership Program at Emory University - Goizueta Business School, Emory Executive Education This program was an incredible opportunity to sharpen my strategic thinking, connect with amazing peers, and dive deep into what it takes to lead effectively. Big thanks to Nielsen for investing in my leadership journey by sponsoring this experience and giving a growth opportunity, Thanks to our incredible facilitators at Emory Brandon Smith, Natasha Ganem, Ph.D.,🎤Linda Clemons for their insights, real-world expertise, and mentorship which made this an unforgettable journey. The entire experience was made even better thanks to Kristine McCarthy, Kavita N. Patel who went above and beyond—guiding us through the week's sessions. Andrea Bertels a special thanks to you for sharing valuable insights during the Leading@Nielsen framework session. "Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Lakeya Jefferson for seamlessly bringing diverse teams together to make this GLN event a reality and Rajesh Mishra for your unwavering encouragement and support every step of the way.
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Brandon Smith reacted on thisBrandon Smith reacted on thisThis week's installment in the "Ask the Coach" blog post series was prompted by a thought-provoking question I received during a recent Q&A/talk I did for a group of leaders at an Atlanta-based company. Her excellent question stimulated a lot of thought and reflection for me and I hope you enjoy the insights in this brief post. Please share your own thoughts in the comment section below and join the conversation! Thank you. #reflection #coursecorrection #career #life #change #memories Serviam Partners Leadership Foundry“What have you learned from listening to your life?”“What have you learned from listening to your life?”
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Brandon Smith liked thisBrandon Smith liked thisIf you’re concerned about the rise of AI, a schedule packed from AM to PM or you’re working hard every day but your career feels stagnant, you’re not alone. In this conversation, Randy Hain shares a powerful shift from his book 𝘈 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦: the difference between surviving and truly thriving. Momentum doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from doing more of what matters.
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Brandon Smith liked thisBrandon Smith liked thisThis week’s leadership tip comes from Randy Hain’s newest book, 𝘈 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦: As a leader, make it part of your routine to invite candid and specific feedback. Avoid useless questions like “Am I doing okay?” and embrace questions like “What are two things I need to be working on to better help our team be successful?” Consider a 360-degree feedback process to reveal blind spots and offer valuable perspectives you might miss on your own.
Experience & Education
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The Workplace Therapist
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Licenses & Certifications
Volunteer Experience
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Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity
- Present 11 years 6 months
Learning not to paint windows and trying to prevent nails from popping.
Honors & Awards
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PMBA "Top Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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PMBA "Top Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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2015 Exec MBA Most Inspiring Educator Award
Goizueta Business School, Emory University
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PMBA/MHA "Top Professor" Award - WellStar Cohort
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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PMBA "Top Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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2014 Exec MBA Faculty Congeniality Award
Goizueta Business School, Emory University
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PMBA "Top Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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PMBA "Top Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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2012 MBA Teaching Excellence Award
Goizueta Business School, Emory University
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PMBA "Most Motivational Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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PMBA "Most Influential Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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PMBA "Most Influential Professor" Award
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
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