True stories of executives who are smart, but® succeed wildly after executive coaching sessions.

Here are a few stories from the field, of people who are smart, but didn’t know what was getting between them and their own success. Smart, but®…. I've used the phrase so many times I’ve actually trademarked it. The phrase refers to people who are smart BUT something wasn’t going well.

We’re all smart—at least in our specialty, but sometimes we can’t see what's going wrong or just how to fix it. For Smart, buts® everywhere here are a few of my favorite career stories.

The Apprentice gets an “A” from an Expert

"You have to think of The Apprentice as a training video and an extremely interesting one from a number of perspectives," says Ms. Innis. "Both executives and peer groups can learn from the antics and tactics of these young executive wannabes."

Apprentice, reality TV with something to show for it

The business show on NBC, which pits smart young attractive go-getters against each other to win the respect of real estate tycoon Donald Trump, has become the latest way to pick up what to do and, perhaps more importantly, what not to do around the office.

Career strategist specializes in finding best fit for executive

“A corporate executive will say, ‘Karyl, I’ve got an employee who’s so bright and so smart, but...’After that there’s always something like, ‘Nobody will work with him because he leaves bodies in his wake’ or ‘Nobody knows she’s in the same room because she won’t open her mouth.’ ”

You Might be Smart, but…Great Careers Don’t Just Happen

The word "but" is a verbal eraser. It negates whatever goes before it. When coupled with the word "smart", it automaticaly means, "disregard any intelligence this human has."

Smart, but Geographically Undesirable, Now Smart and Re-employed

An executive search firm saw my resume online. We talked, then met in person. I interviewed three times and got the offer and negotiated up a little.

Who’s a Smart, but®? Sometimes we all are.

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