Yvette Smith | Leadership Coach | YvetteVSmith
Yvette Smith, a seasoned leadership coach, was inspired to embark on her journey by the countless skilled individuals she encountered throughout her career. Witnessing many shy away from leadership roles due to the daunting challenges they entail, she felt a calling to empower these potential leaders. Her mission is to help them recognize their innate capacity for impact and guide them in transforming their fears into strengths. For Yvette, impactful leadership is about embracing oneself and acknowledging that one doesn’t have to have all the answers. It involves leveraging the collective talents of a team to create a synergy that propels everyone forward. She believes that impactful leaders cultivate environments where team members feel valued and are empowered to unleash their full potential. We at EliteX, are proud to introduce Yvette Smith as one of the Impactful Leadership Coaches to Follow, 2024.
When asked about the key qualities of successful leaders, Yvette emphasizes empathy, decisiveness, and adaptability. Effective communication, trust-building, and the ability to inspire are also crucial traits. Moreover, successful leaders excel in fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among their teams. Yvette tailors her coaching approach to the unique needs of each individual or organization she works with. She begins by deeply understanding the leader and their organization’s culture. Utilizing tools such as Need Assessment, DISC, and relational intelligence frameworks, she ensures that her strategies are relevant and directly address specific challenges and objectives.
“In the journey of leadership, empathy is the compass that guides us toward understanding, connection, and ultimately, success.” – Yvette Smith
One of Yvette’s most rewarding experiences involved a leader struggling with team morale and trust despite their experience and good intentions. Through focused efforts on enhancing relational intelligence, improving communication, and establishing effective accountability measures, trust and cohesion were rebuilt, significantly improving the workplace environment and productivity. To help leaders overcome challenges, Yvette emphasizes the importance of listening and building strong relationships. She encourages leaders to shift from constant direction to more observation and engagement, fostering deeper connections and understanding within their teams.
Staying updated with the latest trends and developments in leadership coaching is a priority for Yvette. She is committed to lifelong learning, regularly engaging with new research, attending industry conferences, and drawing inspiration from renowned leaders like John C. Maxwell and the Zig Ziglar Corporation. This dedication ensures that she remains at the forefront of leadership coaching, equipped to provide the most effective guidance to her clients.
Yvette Smith firmly believes that empathy is a cornerstone of effective leadership. It enables leaders to forge deeper emotional connections with their teams, fostering understanding and creating a supportive atmosphere. This emotional bond is pivotal for motivating teams and guiding them through both triumphs and trials. To foster continuous growth and development in the leaders she coaches, Yvette advocates for a mindset of ongoing learning. She encourages leaders to actively seek feedback from their teams and sets clear, measurable goals. By providing regular, constructive feedback, leaders can cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within their teams.
In her coaching practice, Yvette employs various techniques and exercises to enhance leadership effectiveness. She often utilizes tailored feedback mechanisms like 360-degree reviews and Personal Development, Action, and Evaluation Plans, coupled with regular one-on-one coaching sessions. These tools help leaders gain insights into their impact and identify areas for improvement. When faced with resistance or skepticism from individuals or organizations regarding the value of leadership coaching, Yvette addresses it by showcasing tangible benefits through case studies and testimonials. She builds trust by being transparent about the coaching process and its expected outcomes.
In Yvette’s perspective, what distinguishes a good leader from a great leader is the ability to transform their team. While good leaders effectively manage their teams, great leaders inspire and empower them to contribute their best, fostering both individual and collective success. To measure the success of her coaching programs, Yvette employs a multi-leveled approach. She sets specific, agreed-upon metrics with her clients, such as improved team performance, enhanced communication skills, or achieving personal leadership goals.
Lastly, Yvette’s advice to aspiring leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills is simple yet profound: Listen and relate. Understand how to communicate effectively, surround yourself with talent, and embrace failure as a learning opportunity. By getting leadership right, aspiring leaders can create environments where people thrive, ensuring success for both individuals and organizations alike.
