Talent Advancement Professionals

10/16/2026

It’s cold in the office today even when you have a fur coat.

09/21/2026

It was a real treat spending time with these talented women talking about confidence, self-reflection, and strategy as they continue their leadership journey! Susan Doughty-Smith

What happens when you bring this many women in law enforcement together? Connection. Laughter. Honest conversations. Shared experiences. And a whole lot of leadership in one room.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for the 2nd Annual Women in Law Enforcement Leadership Conference serving Green Bay and the Fox Valley. Together we spent the day discussing leadership, wellness, professional growth and how we can continue paving a better path for women who will follow us. The future of women in policing is strong, and it was inspiring to see so many committed leaders investing in themselves and others.

A sincere thank you to our generous local sponsors: Cellcom, Willow Creek Behavioral Health, the Green Bay Packers Foundation, Advancement Talent Professionals, Green Bay Botanical Gardens, Howard Fire Fitness, Howard YMCA, Packers Athletic Club, COVE Crafted Beauty, LLC, Kwik Trip, and Appleton Downtown Inc.

08/20/2026

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

The sunrise was beautiful this morning as I rounded mile three on my run. I remember a time when I wouldn’t stop to enjoy it because I didn’t want to slow down my pace.

How many times do you find yourself running at such a pace through your workday where you barely stop to ask employees how they are…and wait to hear the answer? Or…when was the last time you walked out on the production floor to tell people what good work they were doing?

Lead with P-A-C-E
People focused
Authentically recognize contributions
Communicate with clarity
Engage
©2026 Talent Advancement Professionals

07/31/2026

Thank you Jeanne Gibson and rest in peace. Jean became a shipyard welder when the men went off to war during WWII. She, like many other women, became a Rosie the Riveter.

Rosie the Riveter became the symbol for women to know no boundaries. Let's celebrate Jeanne's memory with a good old fashioned, WE CAN DO IT!

07/09/2026

Success is all about the people! That's what Charles Gould and Mike Dorobiala both told me about their Batavia, New York plant. When you have great people working for you and you take their best interest into consideration...there is engagement and work gets done. It was great to connect with these two friends from my sheet feeder days.

06/25/2026

The Secret to Culture Building

Today, I met with a leadership team who is working to advance their high-performance culture. We discussed the wins and challenges of having meaningful conversations about the company’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

The clear win was holding effective one-on-one meetings before holding group discussions. Employees felt heard, respected, and valued. This led to richer participation in group discussions.

However, their success is rooted in something deeper…

Culture building requires certainty, consistency, and patience. It’s a journey not a destination.

High-performance cultures are built on high trust. Trust is built on behaviors. Behaviors result from our lived experiences and our values. In organizations, behaviors are shaped by the mission, vision, and values. These three tools set forth clear expectations regarding why you are in business, who you serve, how you serve, and to what degree you consider successful performance.

Gallup studies show time and time again that employee engagement rises or falls on these two elements:

Employees knowing what is expected of them.

Employees feeling cared about.

So, if you want a high-performance culture implement these three practices:

Tell Them what’s expected and how they will know they’ve been successful.

Thank Them for doing a good job. Don’t just show up on the floor when a mistake has been made.

Empower Them to do their best, grow, and learn from mistakes.

It’s really that simple. However, it’s easy for the daily grind to get in your way and then you lose focus.

I partner with organizations serious about culture and people development. I’ve got a proven track record that spans more than 20 years. Reach out. [email protected]

06/16/2026

Leadership is a Long Run, Not a Sprint

This past Saturday I completed another Bellin Run — one of many I’ve done over the years. But this one felt different.

After running the first two miles in the hot sun, we turned the corner down a big hill. I listened as everyone’s pace increased…hundreds of feet pounding the pavement with more force. I’ve learned to go slow down fast hills so that my quads don’t tighten up for days and my knees don’t ache.

It reminded me of my leadership journey. We all run at our own pace—in races and in leadership.

Some people run fast.
Some walk when they need to.
Some are just trying to finish.
None of it deserves judgment (from ourselves or others).
What matters is that you keep moving. Keep reaching new goals.

And… we are shaped by the people who show up beside us.
I had the pleasure of finishing out the race next to someone who had run all 50 Bellin runs. He started running when he was in high school. He still had his original set of knees and his passion for the journey.

Standing next to him reminded me: Longevity beats intensity. Consistency beats perfection. Leadership like running is a long game.

Cheers to all leaders for running your own race, walking when you need to, appreciating the people who help you grow, and showing up with all your heart.
Susan Doughty-Smith

06/11/2026

Stop the Surprises

When was the last time you opened your favorite app or logged into your work computer… only to realize everything looked different? For a split second, you wondered if you’d been hacked. Then came that familiar wave of frustration: Who changed this? Why? And why didn’t anyone tell me?

It’s a small example, but it mirrors a bigger workplace truth. Most of us are focused on getting the work done—moving projects forward, checking the boxes, keeping up with the pace. What we don’t always think about are the second and third order consequences of not communicating early and often.

That silence costs us: relationships, efficiency, time, and ultimately money.

This week I’ve been working with several clients on strengthening proactive communication. Whether you’re leading a team or managing a project, these simple habits make a measurable difference.

Proactive Communication Checklist:
o Who needs to know
o What they need to know
o When they need to know it
AND…

Weekly Project Update template:
Tell them…
o What happened
o What’s next
o What I need from others

Practice these simple habits consistently and watch your ability to lead and influence multiply!
Need help building new habits? Reach out to [email protected]
Susan Doughty-Smith

05/28/2026

Today I was onsite with my customers before sunrise. We held a key discussion about how we are going to implement the Mission, Vision, and Values we have spent the past six months developing. By implementation, I mean how we are going to get into the hearts and minds of every employee.

An organization’s mission, vision, and values shape its culture much like a map shapes your path of travel. They highlight what your business is about, where you are headed, and how you treat each other…AKA expectations.

Some of the most standout things I heard were, “leaders bring the weather.” They set the tone for the day…they bring the winning attitude…the can-do teamwork attitude. “Great leaders focus on winning, clear expectations, continuous improvement, and consistency.”

If your culture isn't where you want it to be and you'd like to work with an expert, contact me [email protected]

Susan Doughty-Smith

05/07/2026

What Ted Turner Taught Me About Courage

Face-to-Face in Atlanta...

This week, we lost Ted Turner—media mogul, entrepreneur, philanthropist, rancher, and risk‑taker. He lived boldly, thought differently, and at times found himself at the heart of several controversies.

He supported environmental causes, challenged political norms, and built an empire by refusing to follow the crowd. He once said, “You’ll never get in trouble if you don’t do anything. But on the other hand, you’ll never get anywhere either.”

Years ago, while working in Atlanta, I ended up at Ted’s Montana Grill with colleagues. Ted lived in a penthouse above his restaurant when he was in town. He happened to be there with a small group. Someone dared me to head over to Ted’s table and ask for his autograph.

I didn’t hesitate.

I walked over, coaster in hand. Ted paused, glanced at his group, then signed it with a small smile. That coaster has been on my desk ever since. Not because it’s a celebrity autograph, but because it reminds me of the power of courage.

Always ask, the worst they can do is say no. If you never ask, you’ll always wonder.

Whether you’re leading a team, navigating organizational change, or simply trying to grow into the next version of yourself—courage is an important muscle. Use it.

Ask for the opportunity.
Challenge the process.
Speak up when something doesn’t align with your values.
Take the risk.

If you need help finding your voice and strengthening your leadership presence, I help leaders do exactly that.