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Ep. 20: When it feels like the wrong people are winning
Episode 20 — When It Feels Like the Wrong People Are Winning
OverviewEvery leader eventually encounters a moment when it looks like the wrong people are getting ahead — the shortcut-takers, the corner-cutters, the ones who maneuver instead of lead. It’s frustrating, not because you’re chasing recognition, but because you’re committed to integrity. In today’s episode of Her Next Power Move™, we explore what happens in the brain during these moments and how to rise above them without letting cynicism cloud your purpose.
Grounded in neuroscience and positive psychology, this conversation helps you understand why unfairness hits so hard — and what strong, values-based leaders do to protect their clarity, character, and direction.
What You’ll Learn
The neuroscience behind “unfair wins” and why your brain reacts so strongly
How moral disgust, reward prediction errors, and social comparison affect motivation
Insights from positive psychology on psychological capital and justice sensitivity
How principled leaders sustain influence even in broken systems
A simple micro-practice (“The Integrity Audit”) to regain agency and clarity
Powerful Thought
The wrong people may win rounds, but they never win destinies. Character compounds. So does clarity.
Coaching Question
Where is your integrity asking you to stay the course, even when the path feels unfair?
Call to Action
If you want to build this kind of grounded, unshakeable leadership in a community that puts heart and humanity at the center, I invite you to preorder my forthcoming book, Call & Response: Ten Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, published by Amistad/HarperCollins and JVL Media.
If today’s message stirred something in you, this book will give you the framework and the muscle to lead with conviction, purpose, and truth — no matter what’s happening around you.
Preorder wherever books are sold.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe
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By L Michelle SmithEpisode 20 — When It Feels Like the Wrong People Are Winning
OverviewEvery leader eventually encounters a moment when it looks like the wrong people are getting ahead — the shortcut-takers, the corner-cutters, the ones who maneuver instead of lead. It’s frustrating, not because you’re chasing recognition, but because you’re committed to integrity. In today’s episode of Her Next Power Move™, we explore what happens in the brain during these moments and how to rise above them without letting cynicism cloud your purpose.
Grounded in neuroscience and positive psychology, this conversation helps you understand why unfairness hits so hard — and what strong, values-based leaders do to protect their clarity, character, and direction.
What You’ll Learn
The neuroscience behind “unfair wins” and why your brain reacts so strongly
How moral disgust, reward prediction errors, and social comparison affect motivation
Insights from positive psychology on psychological capital and justice sensitivity
How principled leaders sustain influence even in broken systems
A simple micro-practice (“The Integrity Audit”) to regain agency and clarity
Powerful Thought
The wrong people may win rounds, but they never win destinies. Character compounds. So does clarity.
Coaching Question
Where is your integrity asking you to stay the course, even when the path feels unfair?
Call to Action
If you want to build this kind of grounded, unshakeable leadership in a community that puts heart and humanity at the center, I invite you to preorder my forthcoming book, Call & Response: Ten Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, published by Amistad/HarperCollins and JVL Media.
If today’s message stirred something in you, this book will give you the framework and the muscle to lead with conviction, purpose, and truth — no matter what’s happening around you.
Preorder wherever books are sold.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe