Good Vibes Leadership with Bernadette Smith

Going First

I recently sat in a room of strangers — different backgrounds, different everything — and within an hour we were sharing grief and shame. Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning. But here's what I keep relearning: connection doesn't require similarity. It requires honesty. And somebody has to go first. In this week's Good Vibes Leadership, that's the thread — what happens when you're willing to go first, whether that's in a living room or a boardroom. Takeaways Going first changes the room: The person who says the tough true thing sets the tone for everyone else. Honesty over sameness: You don't need common ground to connect — you need courage. Your Challenge: Think about the rooms you're in this week. Will you be willing to go first? Good Vibes to Go: Check out the comedy of ALOK — they're on tour and genuinely hilarious. One of our own team members is driving from Chicago to Grand Rapids just to see them. That's a good vibe. Connect with Me The Newsletter: This week I wrote about student dignity in Philadelphia schools, Jake Adicoff making Paralympic history, NYC's new LGBTQIA+ Affairs office, Disney singing in sign language, and WNBA pay finally matching the talent. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here. Work with Me: Let's talk. Watch 5 Things on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

Bubble World

In this micro-lesson, I'm breaking down the Bubble World theory of inclusive leadership — why most collisions at work aren't malicious, they're assumptions — and how the ARC Method® gives us a way to move through the world without bursting each other's bubbles. Plus: we built an actual game to practice it. Link in the show notes. Takeaways The Bubble World Metaphor: Why picturing our lived experiences as invisible protective bubbles changes how we think about conflict and triggered reactions at work Trauma Soup and What Causes It: Most workplace collisions aren't about bad intent — they're about skipping the ask and charging forward on assumptions The ARC Method® as Your Bubble Shield: How Ask. Respect. Connect. gives you a practical tool to move with more intention through every conversation Your Challenge: Think of the last time you bounced into someone's bubble without meaning to. What would one better question have changed? Good Vibes to Go: If you haven’t watched any of the Paralympics, please do! I’m inspired by the athletes’ determination. This is the last weekend. You can watch clips on NBC/Peacock. Connect with Me The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about paid job pathways for refugees, neurodivergebt talent leading in advertising, Amtrak making station support easier for disabled passengers, and more! Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.  Work with Me: Let’s talk. Watch 5 Things on YouTube. Play Bubble World (not mobile-friendly yet) Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

Presence

I spent time this week in a musical improv class, and it was a masterclass in one thing: staying on the beat. In improv, if your mind wanders for even a second, you’re out of sync with the whole team. It made me think about a request my son made when he was little for my "phone-free attention." That request stuck with me because giving someone our undivided focus is the most basic act of leadership we can offer. In this micro-lesson, I’m exploring why inclusion isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the radical, simple act of being fully present. Takeaways: The Gift of Presence: Why undivided attention is a non-negotiable leadership skill. Mental Leftovers: How to stop dragging the energy of your last "scene" into your next meeting. Tactical Grounding: Why staying in the moment sometimes requires tools like compartmentalizing (or even fidget toys). Your Challenge: Where are you finding it hard to stay on the beat today, and what’s one thing you can do to tune back in? Good Vibes to Go: Watch the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light on Apple TV. It’s about poet Andrea Gibson navigating their terminal diagnosis. It sounds dark but it’s actually joyful, love-filled, and even funny. Connect with Me The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about prime-time disability leadership in Major League Baseball coverage, funding the first Inuit-led university, and more! Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.  Work with Me: Let’s talk. Watch 5 Things on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

Shake it out

Summary: I’m currently taking an improv class, and it has highlighted a major leadership blind spot: the leftover vibe. In improv, if you carry the "stiffness" of a bad day onto the stage, the scene fails. Leadership is no different. We play many roles—the efficient delegator, the empathetic coach, the bold visionary. These aren't masks; they are authentic "costumes" we wear to meet the moment. But if you don't "shake out" the energy of a budget crisis before walking into a sensitive one-on-one, your team feels that residue. This episode is about the power of the 30-second transition and why your energy speaks louder than your words. Takeaways Energy is Pre-Planned: Just like an improviser chooses a vibration for a scene, you can consciously choose the energy you bring into a room. The Hazard of Residue: Carrying stress from one meeting to the next isn't just a personal burden; it’s a "vibe-killer" for your team that prevents real connection. Costumes vs. Masks: Adapting your energy for different leadership roles is an act of respect and intentionality, not a lack of authenticity. The 30-Second Reset: Before your next call, literally "shake it out." Take half a minute to shed the previous meeting so you can show up fully for the person in front of you. Good Vibes to Go:  For those of you into HGTV-type shows, check out Homegrown on HBO. Hosted by urban farmer Jamila Norman, it’s a joyful, grounding series that helps families transform their yards into thriving food gardens while celebrating Black agricultural traditions and food justice. We love this show! Connect with Me The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about trash bags turned into duffels, protest songs turned into $600,000, classrooms turning fast fashion on its head, courtrooms redefining family, a global vote affirming who counts, and more! Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.  Work with Me: Let’s talk. Watch 5 Things on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

Voluntold

5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI is now Good Vibes Leadership What's that? I talk about the transition and what that means for the show going forward.  I recently sat in a room full of ERG leaders who were hitting a wall of fatigue. When I asked how they actually started their leadership journey, the answer was universal: They were invited. In this micro-lesson, I’m breaking down why "voluntelling" someone isn't a burden—it’s a vote of confidence. We explore the fear of career stalling, the privilege of having the bandwidth to say "yes," and how to handle it when someone chooses to protect their peace. Good Vibes to Go The Power of the Ask: Why personal invitations bridge the gap that job postings can't. The Safety Factor: Understanding why folks are hesitant to step up in the current corporate climate. Respecting the "No": How to view a decline as an act of self-preservation, not a lack of commitment. Your Challenge: Who is one person in your orbit that needs to hear, "I see your potential"? Connect with Me The Newsletter: Want the 5 Things good vibes stories mentioned in this episode? Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.  Work with Me: Let’s talk. Watch 5 Things on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/