Daniel Smith

Daniel J. Smith, PhD

Research Associate

Current Role

Dan Smith is a Research Associate on our Applied Research Services team. In this role, he publishes original empirical research and innovative thought leadership, performs client evaluation to quantify and advance the impact of our programming, and works directly with clients to bring research insights into the foreground of their developmental experiences. His research is published in numerous academic journals and conferences, and in various formats throughout the CCL ecosystem.

Experience

Dan has broad experience as a leadership researcher and consultant. He has numerous publications spanning topics related to leadership development, organizational behavior, and public health. His current research focus is on succession planning, psychological capital, and understanding the developmental impact of executive coaching.

He also applies his deep expertise in bibliometric methods to support several other research projects and to more efficiently bring forward field-level understanding to clients. As a consultant, he has created, administered, and managed various types of leadership assessments and developmental tools.

Education

Dan has both a PhD and an MA in Organizational Psychology from Claremont Graduate University, and a BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University.

Areas of Expertise

Leadership Development Coaching & Mentoring Leadership Research Evaluation & Impact
  • Bibliometric Methods
  • Research Design & Analysis Methods
  • Succession Planning

More About Daniel J.

Download CV | LinkedIn Profile

Related Solutions

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Leadership Analytics & Evaluation

Insights From Daniel J.

The 3 Critical Capabilities for Leadership in Europe Today
White Paper
The 3 Critical Capabilities for Leadership in Europe Today
European businesses are navigating a convergence of pressures, causing new challenges for leaders. Download our paper to learn how 3 critical leadership capabilities can help European organizations turn pressure into performance.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: What Organizations Miss About Their Leaders
Article
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: What Organizations Miss About Their Leaders
Neurodivergent leaders perform well, yet most leadership systems aren’t designed to see, develop, or sustain them. Our research reveals why — and what to do about it.
Wisdom Transfer: Moving From Succession to a Thriving Leadership System
Article
Wisdom Transfer: Moving From Succession to a Thriving Leadership System
Wisdom transfer transforms leadership transition from a replacement exercise into a development system. Learn the 4 core elements that help organizations prepare for what reality demands.

Research From Daniel J.

Neurodiversity in Leadership: Identity, Masking, and Wellbeing
Research Paper
Neurodiversity in Leadership: Identity, Masking, and Wellbeing
Drawing on one of the first large-scale studies of neurodivergent leadership, this paper examines leader identity, masking, and wellbeing, revealing opportunities for organizations to create more inclusive pathways for leadership success.
Reading the Room: Behavioral Signals Leaders Can Use To Foster Psychological Safety
Research Paper
Reading the Room: Behavioral Signals Leaders Can Use To Foster Psychological Safety
This research identifies the key behavioral signals leaders can use to ”read the room“ and strengthen psychological safety. A practical, evidence‑based framework helps teams build trust, invite voice, and create conditions for better performance.
Succession Planning Reimagined: Research for Navigating Leadership Transitions
Research Paper
Succession Planning Reimagined: Research for Navigating Leadership Transitions
A unique convergence of 1,000 scholarly articles, 190 industry cases, and 161 TV shows defines the Succession-Centric Era, offering the ICG Framework (Immediacy, Continuity, Generativity) to transform leadership transition into a strategic, anticipatory action.