3 Leadership Lessons from Sheila Johnson: Power, Reinvention, and Purpose
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit/Drew Xeron/Courtesy of Salamander Resort & Spa
As the co-founder of BET and the first black woman to own stakes in three pro sports teams, Sheila Johnson didn't just break glass ceilings; she reconstructed the entire game plan. Her legacy is all about elegance, evolution, and empowered leadership.
Here are 3 great takeaways from her career.
Lesson #1: Own every part of your
identity and lead with it
Photo Credit: Shannon Finney/Getty Images
Sheila Johnson didn't downplay her identity as a black woman in business or sports ownership. In fact, she embraced it and made it a part of her power. She was the first Black woman to own part of three sports teams (NBA, WNBA, NHL). Lead authentically. Your femininity, background, and aesthetics are assets, not obstacles.
Lesson #2: Reinvention is a Power Move, not a Weakness
Photo Credit/Marvin Joseph
From co-founding BET to pivoting into hospitality with Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Sheila Johnson has redefined success. Don't be afraid to evolve. True leaders know when to shift gears and build something new. Especially when it aligns more closely with your values and long-term vision.
Lesson #3: Build Luxury with Purpose
Johnson's ventures blend elegance with impact, whether it's elevating culture through media or creating five-star retreats that serve underserved communities. Leadership isn't just about money or titles. It's about meaning, impact, and what you elevate along the way. It's also about creating experiences, legacies,
Sheila Johnson’s leadership legacy reminds us that true power is not loud, rushed, or performative. It is deliberate. It evolves without apology and builds institutions that endure beyond the individual. Her career is proof that femininity, refinement, and ambition are not competing forces but complementary ones. In a world that often pressures women to shrink, simplify, or harden themselves to lead, Johnson offers a different model, one where success is expansive, values-driven, and deeply intentional. Leadership, at its highest level, is not just about what you build, but what you elevate along the way.