Brandon Smith

Whether on TV, radio or through speaking, consulting, coaching, and high-fiving, Brandon Smith has been solving leadership and culture challenges for over 20 years. As a leading expert in leadership communication and eliminating workplace dysfunction, Brandon combines wit, humor, research and practicality to help audiences overcome some of the biggest challenges facing workplaces today. Brandon and his work have frequently appeared in numerous media outlets including The WallStreet Journal, Fox News, NPR Marketplace, Huffington Post Business, The Today Show, Glamour, and many others.

Early in my career I was fortunate enough to get the world’s worst boss. World-class awful. Action-packed with dysfunction. Through that experience, I realized two things: I love to coach and the world needs better managers and leaders. This “ah-ha” moment for me set in motion a plan that included getting graduate degrees in both clinical counselling and business. It turns out that very few executive coaches have trained and practiced in counseling as well as business, and so I’ve found myself in in a unique position to help. Hence, The Workplace Therapist was born. On this site, I’ve provided you a library of stuff I’ve collected along my journeys. Golden nuggets I’ve learned from some of the most gifted leaders on the best ways to lead others. Dangerous traps from the most dysfunctional bosses and unhealthy organizations that you want to be sure to avoid. Think of it as what a workplace Indiana Jones might have collected in his archive. That’s what you’ve got in front of you. From podcasts to blogs, it is all for you. I hope this site serves as a valuable resource for you as you navigate your work-life, career, and any workplace dysfunction you might face. If you find something helpful here, I would love to hear about it, but more than that, pass it on. This is not supposed to be some kept secret between you and me. This is a mission that is bigger than the two of us. We can use all the help we can get.

In my ideal world, I’ll be out of a job. In that world, every workplace is healthy, productive, fulfilling, and dysfunction-free, with great leaders and honorable managers guiding the ship. That sounds amazing, but until then, I know there’s much to be done. That’s why I founded The Worksmiths. We are committed to creating that world. We don’t believe a job has to be “just a job.” Work can be how we grow as people, how we express ourselves, how we impact someone else’s life, and how we put our mark on the universe. Work can be a source of connection, meaning, pride, and purpose. This kind of work leads to new and truly transcendent levels of productivity and performance. That’s what Executive Coaching helps clients do. That’s what Team Retreats can do for your teams. That’s what the right learning can do for the right group at the right time. That’s why I get so excited to come to work every day. If you believe your people are important, work has the potential to be more than just a job, and your organization can achieve great things, I want to meet you and make that happen together.

The Leadership Foundry is a much-needed approach to the challenge of creating customized, interactive, and affordable learning for high potential leaders in forward-thinking organizations. This is a collaborative effort of Randy Hain of Serviam Partners and Brandon Smith of The Worksmiths, who offer over 50 years of combined leadership, coaching and consulting experience. They also offer access to a team of expert presenters from a wide variety of backgrounds to create an impactful and interactive learning experience for their clients. The Leadership Foundry workshops and other offerings are flexible, virtual or in-person and can be tailored to our client’s specific needs. Learn more at MyLeadershipFoundry.com

We are in the middle of an urgency epidemic. The purpose of this book is to guide you through the urgency epidemic and put you back in charge. Like a great chef, you’ll learn the nuances of adding just the right amount of sauce to bring out the deep flavor and potential of yourself, your team, and your family, creating a menu of balance and perfect spice so that you are in charge of urgency and it no longer consumes your world. Hear what a few people are saying about the book: “'The Hot Sauce Principle' came to me at a time where I needed it most. I was drowning in 'Hot Sauce.' 'The Hot Sauce Principle' literally transformed my own effectiveness and that of my team.” -- Cameron Richardson, VP Retail, Genuine Parts Company "Every leader must read Brandon Smith’s ‘The Hot Sauce Principle’. It comes at no better time. Whether it is the challenges of leading through the coronavirus crisis or our daily lives, Brandon gives practical tips and wisdom for dealing in an environment where everything is urgent. For first time manager to the executive suite leader, you will find invaluable insights. It is one of those books you will read, then re-read. It can help you be a better leader today!” -- P.K. (Ken) Keen LTG, Retired, U.S. Army Associate Dean for Leadership Development Senior Lecturer, Organization and Management Emory University Goizueta Business School

I teach courses related to management communication, leadership communication, and influence in the Full-Time MBA program, Evening MBA program, Executive MBA programs and Executive Education at Emory University's Goizueta Business School.

I have taught courses related to management and leadership communication for both the flex program as well as the PMBA program at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business.

You can catch me every Friday morning at 7:35AM EST as I take on a different workplace topic weekly. From a listener's question on how to deal with a back-stabbing boss to a workplace topic hot in the news, I'm all about bringing relevant workplace stuff to you.

My original firm, Core Growth Partners was an executive coaching and culture consulting firm specializing in helping high performing organizations overcome the barriers and challenges that accompany growth. Through the use of proprietary models and methods that marry the best of business strategy and the science of human development, Core Growth Partners produced practical paths to meaningful and sustainable growth for its clients in ways never before seen in the marketplace. Core Growth Partners clients included numerous Fortune 100 “Best Companies To Work For.” Client organizations represent a broad spectrum of industries including: Consumer Retail Health Care Higher Education Insurance Real Estate Development Quick-Service Restaurants Retail Banking Engineering Services High Tech

I oversaw training and development initiatives ranging from coaching to training for hundreds of financial services clients across North America.

I consulted on the development of a cutting-edge industry wide competency model and assessment instrument used throughout the insurance industry.