What happens when you step away from a successful career to rediscover your authentic self? Michelle Seymour-Smith's story offers a masterclass in intentional career transformation.
Growing up in Spanish Point, Bermuda as a shy middle child, Michelle found her professional calling early – at just 13, she was helping with general ledger entries at an insurance company. This early exposure to accounting set her on a path that would lead to a 16-year career culminating as CFO. But when burnout hit, Michelle made the brave decision to walk away.
"I literally just turned to my husband and said 'I'm done,'" Michelle recalls. His simple acceptance opened the door to what she calls her "year of yes" – exploring everything from Reiki certification to daily yoga practice. Most significantly, she challenged herself to have 200 meaningful conversations, a practice that organically led to board opportunities and a whole new career chapter.
Michelle's perspective on leadership resonates deeply: "Leadership is respect for people." Drawing from mentors who valued her contributions from a young age, she emphasizes the importance of helping employees understand their role in the company's mission while giving them agency in how they accomplish their work. For women specifically, she advocates authenticity about the challenges of balancing career and family responsibilities.
What makes Michelle's journey particularly compelling is her recognition that "those things that make you different are your superpower." Whether feeling like an outsider culturally (with a Bermudian father and Portuguese mother), being the only woman in executive meetings, or transitioning careers when others might have stayed the course, Michelle found strength in her unique perspective.
At the heart of Michelle's story are two principles she hopes to be remembered for: knowing your own value and recognizing your agency to make choices. "When you hit that stage of empowerment, when you really truly realize what you're capable of, nothing can stop you," she shares. "It's this feeling of being unleashed."
Ready to discover your own value and unleash your potential? Michelle's journey might be exactly the inspiration you need.