No Thanks 7 Ways to Say I'll Just Include Myself: A Guide to Rockstar Leadership for Women of Color in the Workplace Paperback – August 7, 2020

While Michelle’s book is primarily geared for women of color, her advice also resonates and is highly relevant for white women too. She tackles workplace truisms that can stand in the way of defining and living your personal brand and successfully navigating workplace challenges and opportunities. Her advice is spot-on and what’s more, Michelle has walked her talk. Her experience as a business owner, agency professional and corporate communications leader credentials her to opine about how to achieve your dreams. Her most potent message is to shed your analog mindset — which tends to keep you in your career status quo — and to use adversity to adopt a growth mindset. In Michelle’s case, she saw her lay off from corporate America as an opportunity to catapult into a new career entirely. She’s got a powerful message and sets a powerful example. Her book is well worth a few hours of your time.

This book is full of nuggets, tips and techniques to help you evaluate your current situation and plot your next move. I have already recommended it to others. Great and engaging read.

This book is inspiring and real. L. Michelle tells it like it is with her valuable experience and savvy style.

The author is spot on and the guidance is valuable dealing within the challenges including microaggression in the work force.

I saw L Michelle Smith, M.S. ACC speak in 2019 at the Nonprofit Communicators Conference at TCU. I was immediately taken with her style and inspired by her workshop. I remember thinking about “being my authentic self at work” and feeling more comfortable as a Hispanic woman in government the more I thought about what she shared. That fall I connected with L. Michelle on LinkedIn and have kept benefiting from her content. Check out her show, The Culture Soup Podcast.This book was written as “a guide to rockstar leadership for women of color in the workplace.” It feels like career decisions are often leaps and this book details how to “leap when you want, where you want and even if you are pushed.”In my world of volunteer engagement I talk to my peers about being highly valued as a professional. When I heard this book was coming, I knew I wanted to support L. Michelle and get a copy. The topic of leadership and value is always one I’m up for.Page 29 says, “Knowing your value is core to the mindset that untethers you from all that holds you back.” For women of color working towards the corporate C-Suite, this book gives advice, cautionary tales and is a quick read to get that kick start of support and inspiration.L. Michelle’s personal story was one I enjoyed hearing more about and took notes from. She included a great quote from Cheryl Grace that said, “It is when you are your most natural self, you will more than likely provide unique suggestions, recommendations, and solutions, but if you are trying to think like everyone else in the room, you will not stand out.”There is also discussions on micro aggressions women of color encounter in the workplace and in public. Reading how L. Michelle handled them was important. I recommend this book to women of color who are re-charting their path to the C-Suite, looking to build confidence or gain inspiration from another leader’s journey.