Dr. Mike Smith: Building High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures
The roar of jet engines still lingers in his mind not as noise, but as rhythm, a memory of his time as First Sergeant with the USAF Thunderbirds. Attention to detail, consistency, discipline, precision, and trust were forged there, though the seeds would grow into something far larger; a lifelong mission to shape cultures where people thrive without losing themselves.
Years later, his name would flash across FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, Times Square and Forbes, not as a soldier, but as a global executive leadership coach, consultant and international best-selling author, speaking to leaders about erasing invisible lines and unlocking human potential. Somewhere between those two lines of the runway and the written word, all things converged, and Dr. Mike Smith began his journey to become a world-renowned executive leadership coach.
Recognition followed, though he wore it lightly: Founding Member and Past President of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Southern Nevada, bearer of the ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, the EMCC Accredited Coach/Mentor at the Senior Practitioner level and now, crowned Top Global Executive Leadership Coach of the Year 2025 by the International Association of Top Professionals.
But his story doesn’t move in straight lines. One moment it’s speaking on stage at a conference, his words echoing into packed halls; another, a quiet 1:1 conversation that changes the trajectory of a single life. Behind every accolade lies the same thread: a relentless devotion to leadership built on trust, integrity, and performance.
To know Dr. Smith is to step into a tapestry of service, recognition, and vision… not linear, not simple, but undeniably extraordinary.
A Career Anchored in Leadership and Impact
As Founder and CEO of Smith Research & Development LLC, Dr. Smith works closely with global leaders partnering with them to navigate complex challenges. His coaching is practical, intentional, precise, and rooted in values, ensuring results that last far beyond the boardroom. What stays with people is not just the strategies he provides, but the mindset shift he facilitates, one that continues to shape decisions, build teams, create world-class cultures and carry forward values long after the coaching or consulting engagement ends.
Before launching his own company, Dr. Smith served as Group CEO of a global coaching firm, where he further honed his ability to develop high-trust, high-performance cultures. Today, he is in high demand for keynotes, workshops, and masterminds, drawing on decades of military, corporate, and academic leadership experience.
Academic Excellence and Credentials
Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Leadership Development and Coaching from Walden University, a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
He also earned a Professional Development Certificate in Building Organizational Cultures from Harvard University, an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame, and a Professional Certificate in Advanced Human Resource Management from UNLV. In addition, he is a Certified Professional Corporate Speaker (CPCS).
Additionally, Dr. Smith has earned the certifications of Agile Leader, Business Consultant, Change Management and Corporate Trainer from the Six Sigma Global Institute (SSGI). He is also certified in a wide range of assessments and survey processes spanning everything form the individual, to teams, to organizational culture.
Dr. Smith is a Presidential Member of The National Society of Leadership and Success and has been inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, as well as The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, in recognition of his commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service.
From Service to Leadership
Throughout his remarkable career, Dr. Mike Smith has held a wide range of influential leadership roles. Prior to serving as Group CEO of a global coaching company, he spent a decade as a corporate leader at a Berkshire Hathaway Energy company, working under the leadership of Warren Buffett and Greg Abel. His 26-year tenure in the United States Air Force culminated in his selection as First Sergeant of the elite USAF Thunderbirds, one of the most prestigious assignments in the military.
In the civilian sector, Dr. Smith has coached senior leaders across diverse industries, guided faculty and staff at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Duke University, and has contributed as a faculty trainer and guest lecturer at multiple academic institutions worldwide. His approach blends deep psychological insight with practical strategies, always emphasizing personal transformation, intentional leadership, and sustainable success.
His outstanding career has earned him global recognition. In December 2025, he will be honored at the IAOTP Annual Awards Gala at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, following his selection as Top Global Executive Leadership Coach of the Year. He was also named Executive Coach of the Year 2025 by Corporate Vision Magazine, featured in The Executive Lens cover story Making a Mark: The 5 Most Successful Leaders of 2025, featured in The Enterprise World cover story The Most Influential Leadership Coaches to Watch in 2025, and recognized in Marquis Who’s Who – 2024. Later this year, he will also be considered for a feature in TIP (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine.
From Air Force Thunderbirds to Global Leadership Visionary
“Choosing Dr. Mike Smith for this honor was an easy decision for our panel to make,” remarked Stephanie Cirami, President of the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). “Mike is inspirational, influential, and a true visionary and thought leader. We cannot wait to meet him and celebrate his accomplishments at this year’s gala.”
Before he became a global leadership coach, Dr. Smith served a 26-year career in the United States Air Force, holding pivotal roles such as Major Command Headquarters Staff, Contracting Superintendent, Flight Chief, and led several Honor Guard Teams. His most defining chapter came as First Sergeant of the USAF Thunderbirds, where he was entrusted with the welfare, morale, and readiness of one of the Air Force’s most elite teams. In that role, he learned that true leadership extends beyond tasks; it begins with people, their values, their behaviors, and their resilience.
These lessons became the cornerstone of his philosophy: building high-trust, high-performance cultures where individuals can flourish without compromising who they are. Today, as an executive coach, consultant, trainer and speaker, Dr. Smith channels those insights into guiding leaders across global industries, helping them discover and define clarity, alignment, and purpose.
Away from the stage and boardroom, he credits his success to hard work, perseverance, and the mentors who shaped his path. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, while looking ahead with a simple yet powerful goal: to inspire others to embrace leadership, growth, and service as a lifelong journey.
Coaching with Intention
His values of professionalism, equity, humanity, and teamwork are not abstract ideals but daily practices. They are embedded in his coaching and consulting framework and are reflected in every conversation he has with those he serves. From executives seeking clarity to teams wrestling with culture, Dr. Smith begins with what matters most, using clarity as the starting point and catalyst for growth.
Change is inevitable in business and is often disruptive. It stretches people, challenges systems, and tests the resilience of organizational culture. Dr. Smith has guided leadership teams through transitions where clarity and trust are essential. He equips leaders to connect strategic direction with their team’s concerns, paving the way for honest dialogue and stronger decisions.
“Change can be crazy, but with the proper guidance, it is a catalyst for growth,” Dr. Smith affirms. By balancing structure with emotional intelligence, he enables organizations to establish alignment and vision that lasts. His work helps teams embrace change with purpose, creating foundations for performance and long-term success.
Redefining Success Through Service
Underlying Dr. Smith’s professional achievements is a strong personal foundation. For him, alignment between personal development and professional duty is not optional, it is essential. He often speaks about the role of discipline in sustaining leadership, whether through staying physically fit alongside his wife, or pursuing new certifications that sharpen his expertise. Growth, in his eyes, is not a milestone but a continuous journey.
This philosophy shapes how he defines success. For Dr. Smith, success is not measured in accolades or titles, but in the strength of the leaders he helps shape and the cultures he helps transform. It is found in client feedback, in the breakthrough moments that occur during coaching, and in the long-term shifts that ripple through teams and organizations.
Recognition and Reach
A best-selling author of Erasing the Line in the Sand, Dr. Smith has been widely featured across national and international media outlets, including FOX Atlanta, FOX Baltimore, FOX Indianapolis, NBC Louisville, NBC Davenport, NBC Memphis, ABC Portland, ABC Tulsa, CBS Tampa, and CBS Michigan, among others. His insights have also appeared in leading publications such as Forbes and HR Morning.
Dr. Smith’s influence continues to expand, as he brings clarity and direction to leaders and organizations around the world… partnering with and serving others to create Meaningful Change Through Intentional Actions.
