Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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Every team is waiting for someone to go first. The first person to ask the difficult question. The first to admit they made a mistake. The first to offer encouragement. The first to volunteer for the challenge. Leadership isn’t about waiting until everyone else is comfortable—it’s about creating the environment where others feel safe enough to follow. Courage is contagious. When one person steps forward, it gives everyone else permission…
Spain is the World Cup champion. After weeks of competition, the tournament ended with Spain defeating Argentina 1–0 in extra time. The winning goal came from Ferran Torres, a substitute who entered the match ready to make a difference. His moment is a powerful reminder that championships are not won by one star or in one dramatic play. They are built through preparation, discipline, trust, and people who remain ready—even…
As the FIFA World Cup moves closer to crowning its next champion, millions of fans are watching incredible displays of athleticism, skill, and determination. But the teams that rise to the top are not simply the most talented. They are the ones that trust one another, communicate under pressure, adjust when the game changes, and put the success of the team ahead of individual recognition. One player may score the…
As the fireworks fade and we settle back into our routines, this Fourth of July carries a little more significance. We aren’t just celebrating another Independence Day—we’re stepping into America’s 250th birthday year. For 250 years, our nation has been built by ordinary people willing to do extraordinary things. They faced uncertainty, embraced responsibility, and believed that what they did today could create a better tomorrow. Freedom has never been…
One of the most remarkable stories from international soccer isn’t what happens on the field—it’s what happens after the game. For years, Japanese soccer fans have become known for staying behind after matches to clean the stadium, picking up trash and leaving the venue better than they found it. They don’t do it because someone tells them to. They do it because they believe in respect, responsibility, and contributing to…
Every fall thousands of geese fly from Canada to the southern part of the United States to escape the bitterly cold Canadian winter. As soon as a flock of geese take flight from Canadian waters they quickly form a v-shape flying pattern, with one rotating goose in the center lead and all the other geese trailing behind in two close lines. Wildlife scientists have conducted extensive studies to determine why…
On June 6, 1944, more than 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, in what became known as D-Day—the largest amphibious invasion in history. Facing overwhelming obstacles, uncertainty, and danger, these brave men advanced anyway, helping turn the tide of World War II and ultimately securing freedom for millions around the world. Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment remain some of the greatest examples of leadership and service…
Graduates, as you start to think about entering the workforce, reminder that job searching is only about resumes, applications, and interviews. Those things matter — but relationships matter just as much. One of the biggest mistakes young professionals make is waiting until they “need” something to start networking. The most successful careers are built long before the job search begins. Every coffee meeting, LinkedIn connection, internship conversation, alumni event, or…
Most young adults have just graduated from college and will, with any luck, be entering the work force. If you have children, nieces, nephews or friends of those that fall into this category, you may want to pass on some of my advice to them this morning. Or, if you happen to be a recent graduate entering the workplace, listen up. First, check your attitude at the door. You are…
Career burnout rarely happens overnight. It builds quietly — through constant pressure, blurred boundaries, long hours, and the belief that slowing down somehow means falling behind. Many high performers wear exhaustion like a badge of honor until they wake up one day disconnected from the very work they once loved. Burnout isn’t always about working too hard; sometimes it’s about carrying too much for too long without giving yourself permission…
Mother’s Day has a way of reminding us where it all started. Not in the big moments—but in the quiet ones. The early mornings.The sacrifices we didn’t fully see.The steady presence that shaped how we show up today. Because motherhood doesn’t look just one way.It’s strength, honesty, resilience, and love—lived out in real time. And for many of us, it wasn’t just one woman.It was the mentors, grandmothers, aunts, and…
It’s easy to let work take over. Not because we don’t value family—but because work is always there. Always one more email. One more call. One more thing that feels urgent. And before we know it, the days fill up… the weeks pass… and the time we meant to spend with the people who matter most gets pushed to “later.” But here’s the reality: Later isn’t guaranteed—and it rarely shows…