10 Questions With Leader Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith is an author, speaker and consultant who understands the power of social media.  As an online friend, Cheryl has inspired me with her leadership and networking skills.  Cheryl is consistently connecting me with other pastors she feels would mesh well with me. To this point, she’s been right every time.  I suspect she does this for others also.

You can read more of Cheryl’s bio HERE and follow her on Twitter HERE.

Here are 10 questions with Cheryl Smith:

When you were growing up, is this what you thought you would be doing vocationally?  If not, what did you want to do?

Not at all! When I was younger, I had a fairly limited view on vocational opportunities. Some of my most fun childhood memories are of me pretending to be a garbage collector. My dad had an old 1952 Ford pickup truck and I always thought it was cool that garbage men could ride around on the outside of the truck. To this day, I still can’t keep my eyes off the garbage truck when it comes down our street on Fridays.

What’s the most different job you’ve had from what you are doing now and how did that job help you with what you are doing now?

For about a year when I was in my early twenties, I had a job as an orthodontic assistant in a small practice. I learned about business processes including scheduling appointments, printing off contracts, charting and patient care. Though I’m no longer working orthodontic patients, all of those processes have come into play in my own consulting business.

Who is one person, besides Christ, who most helped to shape your leadership and how did they help you?

Dr. Holly Latty-Mann is the President and Co-founder (with the late Dr. Jim Farr) of The Leadership Trust®. In 2002 I attended the week-long Personalized Leadership Development Program (PLDP) that focused on self awareness and leadership development. God used Holly in a huge way to help me understand my strengths and how to effectively deal with my challenges. She’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met! I can’t say enough good things about my PLDP experience. Holly was one of my biggest encourages when I started my own business in 2007.

Besides the Bible, what is one book that has most helped to shape your thought process in life and ministry?

The Strengths Finders books (Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath), along with Vital Friends by Tom Rath. That’s three, but who’s counting?

What are three words other people would use to describe your work style/ethic?

I had to ask a few folks. Here is what I heard: Resourceful, Honest, Reliable/Dedicated

What is your greatest strength in leadership?

Communication and Connectedness.

What is your greatest weakness in leadership?

Attention to detail/follow through. I’m definitely more a big picture person!

What is the hardest thing you have to do in leadership?

Say no to people I really want to say yes to.

What is one misconception about your position you think people in your church may have?

That I’ve got it all figured out, or I’m smarter than I really am.

If you could give one piece of advice to young leaders from what you’ve learned by experience, what would it be?

Learn your strengths early in life, so that you can spend your career doing what you’re intrinsically gifted to do. It’s satisfying and energizing to get paid to do what you love!

Who else should I interview?

Read the other interviews I’ve done HERE.