Making It to the Room Is Only Half the Story with Shayla Smith

What does it really take to lead an organization when your job touches almost everything? In this episode of Talk Digital To Me, Nikki Ramirez sits down with Shayla Smith, a seasoned operations leader and Chief Operating Officer at a leading entertainment law firm, to talk about the work happening behind the scenes of high-performing organizations.

Shayla shares what people often misunderstand about the COO role, why strong operations directly influence client experience, and how relationships, grit, self-advocacy, and adaptability have shaped her career. From managing seven different leadership personalities to navigating new roles without immediately trying to change everything, Shayla offers a grounded perspective on what it means to lead effectively, build trust, and make an impact.