Goldman Sachs, A New Book, And a Viral Rant Walk Into September
- Nicole F. Smith, M.Ed. (CEO/Founder)
- Oct 3, 2025
- 5 min read
September has been one for the books (literally!). It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, and it reminded me why I’m so passionate about this work. Here’s a look at what’s been happening — and why it matters to you as a leader.
✨ A Big Step Forward: Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Fellows
This month, I officially joined the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Fellows program. It’s an honor — and a challenge — to sharpen my strategy, scale JMS Creative Leadership Solutions, and expand the way I serve you - leaders teams, and organizations. I’m committed to growing JMS without losing the heartbeat of what matters most: emotional intelligence at the center of leadership.
📘 My New Book Is Here!
The highlight of my September: launching 20 Golden Leadership Nuggets | Refined by EQ Impact®. This book isn’t just another leadership guide. It’s a collection of lessons I’ve lived, refined, and taught — designed to help leaders pause, reset, and lead with impact in today’s noisy, uncertain world.
💡 Why I Re-Wrote This Book
Years ago, as an HR Director, I had a breaking point. Frustrated and unheard, I unleashed on a colleague. I call him an A$$. (Well, he was one honestly.) BUT, that moment became the wake-up call: leadership isn’t just strategy or title. Leadership is emotional.
For years, I watched talented leaders burn out or lose influence because no one ever taught them to manage the emotional side of leadership. This book is my answer to that gap.
It was written in just 90 days — not because I rushed, but because I leaned into the pause. The same pause I now teach leaders to use when emotions run high.
“Awareness is not passive. It’s the choice to look in the mirror and ask: Who am I in this moment, and is this who I want to be as a leader?”
That’s why I re-wrote this book — to give leaders the courage to be self-aware, the discipline to master their emotions, and the wisdom to build legacies that last. I took my #1 best seller and tore it up....ripped it apart, and added in my EQ Impact Framework with such clarity and discipline. My focus was very different this time around.
I felt, it was time to put our legacies in MOTION. Do not wait to leave wondering if you made an impact. Walk away KNOWING you left an impact. That's legacy in motion.
“Leaders don’t earn respect by being the fastest to speak. They earn respect by choosing the moment that will have the greatest impact.”
🤖 AI + EQ = The Future of Leadership
This month, I also leaned more into artificial intelligence — not to replace human connection, but to enhance it. One tool I’ve used is the Johari Window framework, brought to life through AI prompts. It helps leaders explore what’s open, hidden, blind, and unknown about their leadership.
Here’s a reflection prompt you can try:
"Help me explore my leadership through the Johari Window framework. Ask me questions that reveal what I openly know, what others may see but I don’t, what I keep hidden, and what may still be unknown about my leadership strengths and blind spots. After I input my answers, perform a Johari Window on what you know about me. Then, suggest how I can use emotional intelligence to close these gaps."
If you are already using AI to walk with you in your business, leadership journey - Use this prompt: "Based on the information you have about me, create a Johari Window, to guide me in my next steps and how can I maximize my emotional intelligence as I lead at home, work, and the community."
NOTE: This prompt may take time because if your AI tool is not familiar with you, you will need to familiarize yourself with AI. Allow it to "get to know you" and guide you on your journey NOT WALK IT FOR YOU!
Because the future isn’t just AI-driven — it’s AI + EQ.
I would love to see or hear of your results!
🔥 LinkedIn, Authenticity & A Conversation That Took Off
Did you see this post? CLICK HERE to LINKEDIN
In the middle of all this, something unexpected happened. I called out LinkedIn. LOUD!I shared my frustration that meaningful, thoughtful leadership content often gets buried, while posts filled with grievances and complaints seem to skyrocket. And what happened?
That post exploded — thousands of impressions, comments, and conversations. The algorithm appeared to be confused!
“Authenticity isn’t just about airing grievances. It’s about showing up with courage, clarity, and emotional intelligence.”
The irony wasn’t lost on me. But here’s the gift: it opened up an authentic dialogue about what authenticity really means in leadership.
Do we believe that being “real” requires us to always share our frustrations? Or can authenticity also look like sharing insight, expertise, and solutions?
That conversation matters — because it’s at the heart of my book and my work.
What September Taught Me
Growth is equal parts thrilling and uncomfortable. From Goldman Sachs to book signings to experimenting with AI — and yes, even sparking debate on LinkedIn — I’ve been reminded to remind you, that leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence, presence, and pausing long enough to choose impact over reaction. It's about how you show up in those moments when the noise is LOUD and there appears to be chaos and crisis all around you!
📌 Next Step for You
📘 Grab your copy of 20 Golden Leadership Nuggets | Refined by EQ Impact®
I do accommodate bulk orders! So get copies for your team and maybe we can gather for a quick Q&A or webinar! And, yes, I am available for book club discussions. There are reflection questions in the back of the book!
👥 Bring the EQ Impact® Framework to your team through coaching, workshops, or speaking engagement. I will support you and your team through all the chaos and crisis taking place right now and in the future.
🎥 Join the engaging algorithm pushing, authentic or not conversation online →Engaging LinkedIn Post
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. This isn’t just my story — it’s ours.
Together, we’re building leaders, including yourself, to lead with courage, compassion, and emotional brilliance.
With gratitude,Nicole F. Smith
Founder & CEO, JMS Creative Leadership Solutions
Creator of EQ Impact®
Author of 20 Golden Leadership Nuggets | Refined by EQ Impact®
Female Founders! Didn't want to forget! I had the honor and privilege to be part of the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program. 50 Dynamic women founders come together each year to create a community that supports, challenges, and helps you level up in your business. I was class of 2023-2024 and once a fellow, always a fellow.
Applications are open!
A premier peer network of 400+ extraordinary women entrepreneurs
Advisory sessions with industry experts and decision-makers
Collaborative coaching to address their specific needs
Self-paced virtual education
If you have any questions, regarding this, reach out and I will support you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Click here for more information: https://lnkd.in/eFRjpjme
Want to set up some time? Let's talk: Click here!
Leaders choose to work with me and my team because we don’t just talk strategy—we build emotionally intelligent leaders who lead with clarity, presence, and purpose.
You're receiving this email because you’re not interested in performing leadership. You’re here to practice it.
You booked a call, joined an event, or signed up because something in you said, it’s time to lead differently. You’re ready to create a life and business rooted in who you are—not in outdated rules or titles that never fit. And we’re here to help you do exactly that—with emotional intelligence at the center.
Comments