Leilani Brown 6/11/26 Leilani Brown 6/11/26

The Theater Kid I Raised, and the One I Used to Be

For nearly a year, I've been honored to call the American Theatre Wing a client. Last night I went to the Tony Awards for the first time — with my date for the evening, my theater kid. Leilani Brown at the 2026 Tony Awards | Giant Steps. Giant Steps founder Leilani Brown on attending the 79th Tony Awards with her son Maxwell — and being featured in Vogue and EBONY's red carpet coverage.

Leilani Brown 5/26/26 Leilani Brown 5/26/26

The Three Words That Build Credibility

What do you say when someone asks a question and you don't have the answer? Most of us bluff. The most credible people don't. This week's Giant Steps essay argues that intellectual honesty is the most underrated career skill — and unpacks how to say "I don't know" in a way that earns trust instead of doubt. Plus a six-move playlist of scripts for meetings, interviews, and boardrooms.

Leilani Brown 5/19/26 Leilani Brown 5/19/26

Stop Talking Yourself Out of the Job You Actually Want

You are turning the job down in advance — a role that has not been offered, a salary that has not been negotiated, a possibility that has not had the chance to meet you yet. I call this pre-declining. It is the most underdiagnosed habit in career development. Three self-limiting beliefs to recognize, and a growth-mindset reframe that breaks the habit. Giant Steps with Leilani Brown | Substack

Leilani Brown 5/12/26 Leilani Brown 5/12/26

An Open Letter to Everyone Who Loves a Graduate in the Class of 2026 | Giant Steps with Leilani Brown

An open letter from Leilani M. Brown to every parent, aunt, uncle, mentor, and career counselor who loves a graduate in the Class of 2026. Five things every new college graduate needs to know about the job search, networking, referrals, and using AI — plus a one-page playbook for the adults who love them. By the author of From Campus to Career.

Leilani Brown 5/5/26 Leilani Brown 5/5/26

Ten Years of From Campus to Career: What the Decade Taught Me About the Workforce

Ten years after writing From Campus to Career, the workforce has changed in three big ways — and the fundamentals still hold. A decade-in-review essay.

Leilani Brown 4/28/26 Leilani Brown 4/28/26

WHAT THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA TEACHES US ABOUT WORKPLACE CULTURE

The Devil Wears Prada was never only about fashion. Here's what it still gets right about workplace culture, office politics, and the unwritten rules of work.

Leilani Brown 4/19/26 Leilani Brown 4/19/26

The Inconvenient Truth About Visibility

The Emma Grede "career suicide" debate is missing the point. On proximity bias, the 300K Black women leaving the workforce, and the math of ambition.

Leilani Brown 4/14/26 Leilani Brown 4/14/26

How to Recover from a Professional Mistake Without Making It Worse

Made a mistake at work? Here’s what to do in the minutes and days after — a practical framework for recovering with credibility intact.

Leilani Brown 4/7/26 Leilani Brown 4/7/26

Keep Your Feet Moving

Leilani M. Brown standing on a New York City street, smiling, wearing a black leather dress, orange scarf, and tan boots, with city buildings stretching behind her.

Leilani Brown 4/6/26 Leilani Brown 4/6/26

Strong Boards Don't Happen by Accident

Leilani Brown 3/31/26 Leilani Brown 3/31/26

You Got Laid Off. You Haven't Told Anyone Yet.

Leilani Brown 3/24/26 Leilani Brown 3/24/26

Just Got Laid Off? Here's What to Do in the First 24 Hours.

You weren't prepared for that meeting. They were. Leilani Brown shares what to do in the first 24 hours after a layoff — what to say in the room, what not to sign, the first 4 calls to make, and how to protect yourself before the shock wears off. Free career guide and playbook from Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, a weekly newsletter on career transitions, job search strategy, and leadership.

Leilani Brown 3/4/26 Leilani Brown 3/4/26

What High-Performing Boards Do Differently

Five governance practices that separate high-performing boards from the rest — from a consultant and board leader with 25+ years of experience. Giant Steps, LLC.

Tags: board governance, nonprofit governance, independent school boards, board development, governance consulting