We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bridget Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bridget, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is an innate trait that has continually guided me in fulfilling my purpose—personally, socially, and professionally.
Overcoming health challenges like breast cancer and a major car accident, I relied on my unwavering conviction and understanding of my purpose to sustain me. These experiences offered valuable lessons, both positive and negative, that shaped my journey.
Professionally, my growth as a healthcare leader stems from my commitment to improving the quality of life for the community I serve and supporting the development of my team. With this focus, I navigate both growth and challenges with agility, fostering an environment of innovation and continuous improvement.
Serving the community is a passion of mine, and I am dedicated to addressing unmet needs and solving local challenges. Building resilience within the community is essential—by enhancing social connectedness, fostering collaboration between private and government sectors, raising awareness of at-risk groups, and improving overall mental and social health. Over the years, I’ve organized company teams and fundraised for events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I have also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Broward and contributed to initiatives such as the Faith Center’s Thanksgiving food giveaway, FarmShare food pantry, and donations to local school charities.
In conclusion, both my life and professional experiences have been integral in building and strengthening my resilience. One of my favorite quotes perfectly captures this spirit: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” Every day, I remind myself of my purpose and the importance of persevering, no matter the challenges life may bring.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a Bahamian-descended African American woman, I proudly embody strength, dignity, faith, hope, wisdom, and love. Growing up in a close-knit Bahamian family that values unity and togetherness, I had the privilege of being raised by a village. Summers spent with relatives in my mother’s hometown in the Bahamas deepened my understanding of our family’s culture, foundation, and values. This rich upbringing has significantly shaped who I am as a woman today.
As a family-oriented community servant, entrepreneur, servant leader, and aspiring author, I am passionate about personal growth. I enjoy reading and am an active participant in a monthly reading club. I believe in the importance of maintaining physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health, which is why I engage in fitness training, walking, traveling, and exploring other cultures. I also prioritize attending church and strengthening my faith. Currently, I am writing a book, a passion project I hope to complete and release within the next year.
Professionally, I am a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in the sector. I specialize in staff development, healthcare compliance, and program administration, driving efficiency and solutions while supporting employee growth and delivering outstanding customer service. I have extensive experience managing federal grants to improve health outcomes in underserved communities and provide exceptional management across all phases of projects, from budgeting and planning to bidding and commissioning. For the past 11 years, I have served as a healthcare leader at my current company, where I have facilitated leadership development, spoke at conferences, and contributed to community involvement and sponsorships. I continue to thrive in my role, deeply committed to serving the members, community, and state we support.
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?
The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been: a) embracing the concept of ikigai, the secret to a long and fulfilling life, b) maintaining a growth mindset, and c) engaging in disruptive thinking. These qualities have helped me fully understand my sense of purpose, thrive on challenges, and equip myself with the tools to create meaningful, groundbreaking change in my life and in the world.
To help others develop and improve these qualities, my advice would be: 1) expand your knowledge in these areas; 2) adopt the principles and strategies aligned with ikigai, a growth mindset, and disruptive thinking; 3) surround yourself with a network that shares these values; and 4) stay actively involved in your community.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Frances Miralles is a book I read several years ago that helped me understand the concept of living a life filled with purpose and joy. It encourages individuals to discover what truly matters to them.
The book introduces four principles of Ikigai, which explore the convergence of four elements: 1) What you love (your passion), 2) What the world needs (your mission), 3) What you are good at (your vocation), and 4) What you can be paid for (your profession). The authors also outline 10 rules, which serve as a Japanese “secret” for a long and happy life.
These four principles have provided me with invaluable insights that have helped me grow professionally, personally, and socially, enabling me to fulfill my purpose and live a happy, meaningful life.
Image Credits
K13 Images, www.kharma13.com (for the headshot)
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