Laura Smith’s career began far from a traditional sales path. After studying languages and starting as a teacher, she joined an airline, where early experience in a lost baggage call center shaped her belief in leading with empathy. She explains that empathy shapes trust and culture, and those two things shape performance. When asked in 2020 to lead the global sales organization at Hertz, she relied on people skills, reliability, and a strong team foundation to step into commercial leadership during extraordinary change, including bankruptcy and a complete reset of the business.

Smith defines exceptional sales leadership as building an engine that hits the numbers every time, focused on daily behaviors, consistency, and culture as the performance multiplier. She emphasizes preparation, listening more than speaking, understanding the human in the room, knowing the decision maker, and conducting the meeting before and after the meeting. Through uncertainty, she believes in over communication, short-term priorities, celebrating wins, and reminding teams that they can do hard things. Moving from Ireland to the United States reinforced resilience, trust in opportunity, and the power of team.

Notable Quotes

• “Leading with empathy shapes trust, it shapes culture.”

• “Sales at the end of the day is really solving problems.”

• “An exceptional sales leader builds an engine that hits the numbers every time.”

• “You cannot over communicate in scenarios of deep change and grave uncertainty.”

• “Change is the most incredible mechanism for real growth.”

Liz emphasizes sustained career growth comes from consistently asking what comes next and seeking opportunities beyond defined roles. She explains the importance of expanding perspective by understanding how different functions connect, particularly financial and operational considerations, and encourages professionals at all levels to learn the broader business language. By intentionally exposing herself to unfamiliar areas, she was able to contribute in more meaningful ways and open new opportunities for growth.

Suzanne discusses how her transferable skills have aided her hospitality journey from restaurants to hotels to academia and podcasting and how she develops new skills with each role. She shares her strategies for achieving work life harmony, one thing people don't know about her, and what advice she'd give to her younger self. Suzanne talks about her leadership evolution, how the next generation sees leadership today, and her strategies for public speaking and how they've changed since her first big opportunity.

Calvin talks about his journey from hotel desk agent to keynote speaker to published author of Hidden Hospitality. He discusses the importance of sponsorship, the keys to how the hospitality industry can increase diversity at the leadership level, and his thoughts on public speaking. He shares what he wants his sons to learn from his recent experiences, why we should all bet on ourselves, and how his leadership is evolving through better listening and patience.

Michelle’s insights reinforce that personal success is built through curiosity, preparation, and intentional choices. Her advice encourages professionals to rely on data, communicate clearly, and focus on areas where they can create real impact. By advocating for yourself with confidence, building authentic relationships, and staying curious, you position yourself for sustained growth. Her message reminds us that doing work you love fuels excellence, resilience, and long-term fulfillment.

Myra shares how choosing and emulating strong role models shaped her leadership and why she puts so much effort into every single public speaking opportunity. She discusses the ways her self-awareness and self-confidence show up in her career decisions and how her leadership has evolved over time. Myra talks about board service, advice to her younger self, and what leadership traits she looks for in hiring and she thinks makes for great corporate leaders.

As her career advanced, Anne describes finding her voice through preparation and experience rather than position. Confidence, she notes, developed over time as she learned to trust data, ask questions, and take responsibility for outcomes. She speaks candidly about moments that required courage, including taking calculated risks and ultimately buying out partners to form Sequel Hotels and Resorts. Those decisions reinforced her belief that leadership demands ownership, conviction, and a willingness to stand alone when necessary. Resilience became a defining theme in her journey, strengthened through personal loss, reinvention, and navigating uncertainty.

Nelson discusses balancing tradition with innovation in family businesses. He shares his leadership evolution, leaning into curiosity to challenge the status quo, and overcoming self-doubt. Nelson talks about self care and why he'd tell his younger self and others to enjoy each phase of life more.