Melissa Smith: Extraordinary Leader
Melissa Smith is dedicated and results-driven advertising professional with two decades of proven expertise in operational excellence within the advertising industry. A seasoned leader with a track record of optimizing processes and achieving results, she is known for my strategic mindset, team-building prowess and unwavering commitment to driving organizational success.
What is Empathic Leadership?
“Empathic leadership is all about leading with understanding, compassion, and emotional intelligence. It means truly listening to your team, considering their perspectives, and responding in a way that acknowledges their experiences. When leaders prioritize empathy, they create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and motivated—leading to stronger relationships, deeper trust, and a more collaborative team.”
What skills or competencies did you enhance through the coaching process?
"Through my leadership coaching journey, I’ve strengthened key skills that have made me a more adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and effective leader. I’ve deepened my emotional intelligence, becoming more self-aware of how my emotions impact others and learning to regulate my responses to stay composed in challenging situations. My ability to actively listen has improved, allowing me to engage more thoughtfully with my team and ensure they feel heard and valued. I’ve also refined my communication style, tailoring my approach based on different personalities using the DISC framework and balancing directness with empathy when providing feedback.
Flexibility has been a major focus, helping me adjust my leadership approach depending on the situation and individual needs. I’ve become more open to new perspectives, ideas, and ways of working, strengthening my ability to navigate change and uncertainty with confidence. My coaching and mentorship skills have also grown, shifting my mindset from giving answers to asking the right questions—empowering my team to problem-solve and develop their own solutions.
In addition, I’ve gained greater confidence in handling conflict resolution, managing difficult conversations with more understanding and tact while fostering trust across my team and beyond. My decision-making has also evolved to be more people-focused and strategic, ensuring that both business goals and team well-being are considered before taking action. Overall, my coaching experience has equipped me with the tools to lead with empathy, clarity, and adaptability, ultimately creating a stronger, more engaged workplace culture.”
Share an example of a goal that you have realized as a result of coaching.
“One goal I’ve realized as a result of coaching is becoming a more adaptable and emotionally intelligent leader—particularly in how I approach communication and decision-making. Before coaching, I often leaned into structure and efficiency, sometimes prioritizing outcomes over the emotions and perspectives of those involved. Through the coaching process, I’ve learned to adjust my leadership style based on the situation and the individuals I’m working with, ensuring that I’m not just leading effectively but also fostering a stronger, more engaged team.
For example, I’ve become more intentional about how I provide feedback—focusing on balancing directness with empathy. Instead of assuming what works for one person will work for another, I now take the time to understand different communication preferences and tailor my approach accordingly. This has led to more productive conversations, stronger trust, and better collaboration across my team.
This shift has also improved how I navigate change and uncertainty. Rather than resisting or feeling pressured to have all the answers immediately, I’ve become more comfortable embracing ambiguity, listening first, and responding thoughtfully. Ultimately, coaching has helped me lead with more confidence, flexibility, and emotional intelligence, making me a stronger leader for my team."
What do professionals need to start anticipating as the change needed to be a strong leader?
“To be a strong leader in today’s evolving workplace, professionals need to anticipate and embrace continuous change in leadership expectations. Leadership is no longer about authority alone—it’s about emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust through genuine connection. Strong leaders must listen more than they speak, show vulnerability, and foster relationships that create a sense of belonging. The ability to adapt and stay flexible is also critical, as shifting workplace dynamics, hybrid models, and evolving employee expectations demand leaders who can navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Beyond managing tasks, great leaders are coaches and mentors who empower their teams to think critically, take ownership, and grow. Instead of giving directives, they ask the right questions, encourage collaboration, and support individual development. At the same time, they recognize that performance and well-being go hand in hand. With burnout on the rise, leaders must set the tone for a sustainable work culture by modeling healthy work-life boundaries, encouraging rest, and ensuring workloads are manageable—not just for their teams, but for themselves.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are also non-negotiable for today’s leaders. A diverse team fuels innovation and drives stronger business outcomes, but fostering true inclusion requires more than just words. Leaders must actively champion equity, challenge biases, and create opportunities for diverse voices to be heard. Leadership is evolving, and those who prioritize empathy, adaptability, coaching, well-being, and inclusion will be the ones who create teams that thrive.”
Describe Michael Sgro as a professional coach.
“Michael Sgro is a coach who is upfront and honest, pushing you to do the hard work necessary for growth while remaining a steady, supportive force throughout the journey. His open, direct approach fosters an environment of curiosity and self-discovery, encouraging deep reflection and meaningful change. While he challenges you to stretch beyond your comfort zone, his support never wavers, ensuring you feel empowered and confident as you evolve into a stronger, more effective leader.”
Anything else you want to share about leadership.
“Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating an environment where people feel empowered, valued, and inspired to do their best work. The strongest leaders don’t just manage; they listen, adapt, and elevate those around them.
At its core, leadership is about self-awareness and continuous growth. The best leaders take time to reflect, adjust, and evolve. They recognize that leading with empathy, emotional intelligence, and flexibility isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength that drives trust, engagement, and long-term success.
One of the most underrated aspects of leadership is consistency. People don’t just look to leaders for direction; they look for reliability, fairness, and steadiness—especially in times of uncertainty. Showing up with clarity, honesty, and a commitment to your values creates a culture where teams feel safe to take risks, collaborate, and innovate.
Finally, leadership isn’t about doing it all yourself. It’s about building a strong team, asking the right questions, and knowing when to step back so others can step up. Great leaders create more leaders, not just followers. The more you invest in others, the stronger your team—and your organization—becomes.”
We coach extraordinary leaders and develop empathy as a core competency with love, community, excellence, creativity, innovation and fun.
