Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adrian Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Adrian, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I often return to a defining moment early in my career, one that profoundly shaped my understanding of this essential quality. My journey as an educator began with enthusiasm and a touch of naivete. A sudden reassignment just one week before the start of my first year taught me the importance of adaptability and embracing the unexpected.
The relentless pace of teaching led to burnout by my third year. This setback, though initially feeling like a failure, forced me to confront a hard truth: resilience depends on self-care. My drive to help others could only be sustained if it was balanced by an unwavering commitment to my own physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
This realization taught me that true resilience is not simply about gritting your teeth and pushing through. It’s about finding a way forward that honors both your passion for your work and your fundamental needs as a person. I learned to prioritize self-care, knowing that by nurturing my own strength, I could be a far more effective individual and leader.
Fo me resilience is a continuous journey fueled by my deep desire to make a difference, and supported by a conscious commitment to my well-being. With this understanding, I’ve built a career founded upon empowering both myself and those I serve and lead. This lesson continues to shape my approach to leadership and facets of my professional life. It’s a constant reminder that enduring strength comes from striking a balance between compassion for others and compassion for myself.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I wear many hats as Director of Education and Operations at LITE Memphis, but my primary role involves overseeing the programmatic success of our entrepreneurship programs while also managing the operational side of our organization. I’m also deeply involved in designing engaging, culturally relevant, and responsive curricula for our students.
The most rewarding part of my job is witnessing the transformative power of entrepreneurship education for Black and Brown youth. Providing them with the tools, resources, and mentorship to turn their ideas into viable businesses unlocks incredible potential and creates pathways to economic empowerment within their communities. Seeing them develop their ideas and build their confidence along the way is truly amazing.
About LITE Memphis: LITE Memphis is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown youth through entrepreneurship education. We offer programs that ignite personal transformation and support ongoing professional and entrepreneurial development. One of our highlight events is our upcoming Pitch Night – a business showcase and competition where 24 high school students from across the Mid-South will pitch their businesses and compete for over $3,000 in additional funding.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My big three are adaptability, a deep sense of empathy grounded in self-awareness, and a collaborative mindset.
I learned about adaptability the hard way, being thrust into a new teaching assignment a week before school started! But that taught me to roll with the punches, albeit within reason, and that the best-laid plans can change in an instant. That flexibility has served me well throughout my career. My advice? Welcome change as an opportunity, build it into your plans and don’t be afraid to ask for new perspectives from others.
Empathy is crucial in my work. Understanding my strengths and limitations allowed me to offer students the best possible support. This meant listening actively to understand their experiences, challenges, and ambitions. This level of intentionality builds trust and rapport. Invest time in self-reflection. Ask yourself what drives you and where your potential blind spots lie. Make active listening a cornerstone of your interactions with colleagues.
A collaborative mindset has been essential throughout my career. Understanding the value of working together – brainstorming ideas, leveraging diverse strengths, and building on each other’s contributions – has led to far better outcomes than anything I could have achieved alone. My advice is to step outside of your comfort zone and actively seek opportunities for collaboration. Learn to communicate effectively, be open to different perspectives, and celebrate shared successes. Whether you’re working on a team project, partnering with another department, or simply networking in your field, the ability to collaborate effectively will amplify your impact and enhance your professional growth.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past year, I’ve focused on developing my leadership skills in two key areas: active listening and learning to trust my staff.
Previously, I’ll admit, I thought I had all the solutions. But I realized that to be the best leader, I needed to create space for my team’s ideas and input. This meant honing my active listening skills – truly focusing on understanding their perspectives, asking clarifying questions, and demonstrating that their voices mattered.
In parallel, letting go of control was a challenge. But I started delegating meaningfully, providing the necessary resources and support, and trusting my team to execute. This was a leap of faith initially, but it’s been rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.litememphis.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litememphis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LITEMemphis901/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/let’s-innovate-through-education/
Image Credits
Kristen Williams
