LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Dr. Jamie Lewis Smith

Transforming Managers into Empowering Leaders with Jamie Lewis Smith, PhD

Guest: Jamie Lewis Smith, PhD, CEO of Pixel Leadership Group

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Jamie Lewis Smith, PhD, also known as "The Nerd Lady." Jamie is dedicated to improving workplace leadership by turning ineffective managers into empowering leaders through data-driven coaching. Dr. Lycka recalls hearing Jamie speak at a conference in Ohio, where her insights on leadership transformation captivated the audience.

Why Do So Many Managers Struggle?

Jamie highlights that many managers aren’t set up for success. Often, they are promoted due to technical expertise rather than leadership ability. Without proper training, they struggle, leading to disengaged employees and poor team performance. Jamie emphasizes that most managers don’t intend to fail—they just don’t know how to succeed.

Dr. Lycka introduces the Peter Principle: people are promoted to their level of incompetence and get stuck there. Jamie agrees, stressing that companies need to invest in leadership development to avoid this trap.

The Five Empowering Leadership Hacks

Jamie shares five simple, science-backed strategies that can help managers excel and create high-performing teams.

1. Connecting to Purpose

When employees feel connected to their work, they perform better. Jamie suggests implementing Monthly Team Impact Meetings—a 30-minute session where employees reflect on their contributions and their impact on the company’s mission.

2. Creating Clarity

Many employees don’t fully understand what’s expected of them. Managers should ensure clarity through regular conversations. Jamie recommends using the Impact-Effort Matrix to help teams prioritize tasks efficiently and eliminate low-value activities.

3. Recognizing and Appreciating Employees

Employees, especially top performers, need to feel valued. Jamie suggests Thankful Thursdays, a structured habit where managers express appreciation to their teams. Dr. Lycka shares an example of a peer recognition program where employees nominate colleagues for a weekly award, reinforcing a culture of gratitude.

4. Empowering Employees Through Delegation

Managers often micromanage instead of trusting their teams. Jamie explains that true leadership involves empowering employees to take ownership of tasks. Dr. Lycka recalls a personal experience where he required team members to present solutions along with problems, fostering independence and innovation.

5. Leveraging Strengths

Great managers help employees work in roles where they thrive. Jamie introduces the concept of Superstar and Stretch Zones, encouraging managers to align employees’ skills with tasks that energize them while offering growth opportunities. Dr. Lycka agrees, emphasizing the importance of placing people in roles suited to their strengths.

BIO:

Jamie Lewis Smith, PhD (the NeHRd Lady), is passionate about making managers suck less by providing simple, science-backed actions to transform them into empowering leaders! Her company, Pixel Leadership Group, offers data-driven coaching that can be applied at scale to turn managers into talent maximizers and foster employee thriving. Jamie has spent her career as a human resources leader, coach, and advisor across private sector, nonprofit, and government agencies. She is a contributing member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a published author, and an international speaker on the topics of leadership, assessment, and employee retention.

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamielewissmith/
• Forbes Coaches Council Profile: https://profiles.forbes.com/members/coaches/profile/Jamie-Lewis-Smith-Leadership-Organization-Development-Psychologist-Pixel-Leadership-Group-LLC/bba04da7-1007-4433-a5e9-a428baec48ba
• Pixel Leadership Group's Website: https://www.pixelleadershipgroup.com/
• Pixel Leadership Group’s LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pixel-leadership-group