Bernadette Smith 3/27/25 Bernadette Smith 3/27/25

Tone Check: Why “How You Say It” Builds or Breaks Trust Across Cultures

You meant well. But your tone said something else. Let’s talk about how trust really gets built.

Bernadette Smith 3/21/25 Bernadette Smith 3/21/25

5 Things / Experimentation

I just finished my second standup comedy class for women, and our graduation show is tonight. I’ve been pushing myself to test my material at random open mics. Most of the audience are other comics, half-listening and definitely judging. It’s awkward. It’s humbling. And it’s also really fun.

Bernadette Smith 3/20/25 Bernadette Smith 3/20/25

When a Client Shares Something Deeply Personal—How to Respond with Respect and Care

A client opens up. What you say next determines whether trust grows—or fades.

Bernadette Smith 3/19/25 Bernadette Smith 3/19/25

How to Repair Client Rapport When You’ve Made a Cultural Misstep

You made a cultural mistake. Now what? Here’s how to recover without losing trust or credibility.

Bernadette Smith 3/14/25 Bernadette Smith 3/14/25

5 Things / Lead with Humanity

It’s been five years since COVID changed everything. The whiplash in our workplaces was unprecedented. For a minute, our walls came down. We saw our colleagues’ beautiful, complicated humanity: Zoom interruptions from kids and pets, real emotions spilling out. The possibility for more meaningful connections was right there. I bet you made some.