Leadership & Learning w/Dr. JBT

Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon
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Welcome to the Leadership and Learning podcast with Dr. JBT, where we dive deep into the art of leadership for emerging and advancing leaders. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, this podcast is your go-to resource. We'll explore real-world scenarios, actionable solutions, and expert advice, with insights drawn from Jamie's own experiences and interviews with seasoned leaders. If you're serious about growing as a leader, you've come to the right place.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 43: Interview w/ Dr. Paul Turgeon - Crisis Leadership Part 2

    In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Turgeon, we dive deeper into one of the most critical elements of effective leadership during difficult seasons: communication. When organizations face crisis, uncertainty, or rapid change, leadership is tested in profound ways. Yet many crises are not worsened by the event itself, they are worsened by how leaders communicate, respond, and create (or fail to create) an environment where people feel safe to speak up. In this episode, we explore why some leaders struggle during crisis situations and how communication can either stabilize a team or amplify fear and confusion. Dr. Turgeon shares insights on the common mistakes leaders make, including shutting down dissent, reacting defensively to concerns, or unintentionally discouraging transparency. A central theme of the conversation is the importance of psychological safety. Strong leaders cultivate cultures where team members feel safe raising risks, surfacing problems early, and sharing difficult information. When leaders respond with curiosity instead of punishment, they create an environment where potential crises can often be identified and addressed before they escalate. We also discuss the role of emotional self-awareness in leadership. During moments of uncertainty, teams instinctively look to leaders for cues on how to interpret what is happening. Emotional contagion is real; a leader's emotions often become the organization's emotions. When leaders react with panic, frustration, or defensiveness, those emotions quickly spread. But when leaders demonstrate steadiness, thoughtful reflection, and emotional discipline, they create stability for the entire team. Dr. Turgeon emphasizes that effective crisis leadership requires leaders to manage their own reactions before responding publicly. Self-awareness allows leaders to pause, regulate their emotions, and communicate in ways that build confidence rather than amplify anxiety. In this episode, we discuss: Why communication often determines whether a crisis escalates or stabilizes The most common reasons leaders fail when managing difficult situations How defensive leadership behaviors can silence important information The role of psychological safety in effective leadership Why leaders must become the person people feel safe bringing concerns to The impact of emotional contagion and why leaders must manage their own reactions How trust and transparency strengthen organizations during uncertainty Crisis reveals leadership. The leaders who navigate it well are not necessarily the ones with all the answers; they are the ones who create the conditions where the truth can be spoken, problems can surface early, and teams can move forward together. Reflection Question: As a leader, do the people around you feel safe bringing you difficult information or do they hesitate because they fear the response they might receive?

    28 min

  2. FEB 26

    Episode 42: Interview w/ Dr. Paul Turgeon - Crisis Leadership Part 1

    Crisis Leadership — Leading Before, During, and After the Storm (with Dr. Paul Turgeon) Crisis doesn't create leadership; it reveals it. In this episode, Dr. JBT interviews Dr. Paul Turgeon about what it truly means to lead when stakes are high and uncertainty is real. Early in the conversation, Paul defines crisis, distinguishing it from normal operational stress. A crisis is a disruptive event that threatens the safety, stability, reputation, or viability of an organization and requires immediate, coordinated response. This episode centers on what leaders must build before disruption ever occurs. About Dr. Paul Turgeon Dr. Paul Turgeon is a crisis leadership and business continuity expert with extensive experience helping organizations anticipate, prepare for, and respond to high-impact disruptions. His work focuses on crisis prevention, risk mitigation, leadership visibility, and building organizational resilience so teams can respond with clarity and confidence when pressure rises.  Key Insights from the Conversation 1. Expect Crisis Crisis is not an "if," but a "when." Leaders must anticipate risk, assess vulnerabilities, and prepare to avert or mitigate impact. 2. Be Visible Silence fuels anxiety. During crises, leaders must increase visibility, communicate consistently, and model calm resolve. 3. Build Trust Early Credibility cannot be improvised mid-crisis. Trust built over time becomes the foundation teams rely on when pressure rises. 4. Crisis Requires Different Skills Leading in volatility demands rapid decisions, clear prioritization, emotional regulation, and steady communication — competencies distinct from routine operations. 5. Develop Crisis Competency Prepared organizations identify warning signals, clarify roles in advance, and build a response culture before disruption hits. 📚 Book Recommendation Paul recommends Blindsided by Bruce T. Blythe. In Blindsided, Blythe explores how leaders often miss early warning signs and provides practical frameworks for crisis prevention, response planning, and communication when the stakes are highest.

    24 min

  3. FEB 18

    Episode 41: Crisis Leadership Is a Habit, Not a Heroic Moment

    🎙️ Crisis Leadership  Crises are inevitable. The real question is whether you're prepared when they arrive. In this episode of Leadership & Learning with Dr. JBT, Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon explores what it means to lead through disruption — not with heroics, but with discipline. Drawing on the research of Dr. James and Dr. Wooten, authors of Leading Under Pressure: From Surviving to Thriving Before, During, and After a Crisis, this episode walks through the five stages of crisis leadership: Signal Detection – noticing early warning signs Preparation and Prevention – building resilience before impact Damage Containment – leading with clarity during chaos Business Recovery – bouncing forward, not just back Reflection and Learning – turning disruption into growth Crisis leadership isn't developed in the middle of chaos. It's built in the quiet through awareness, preparation, communication, and intentional learning. This episode sets the foundation for a deeper conversation next week with a leader who lives this work every day. 📚 Referenced: James, E. H., & Wooten, L. P. (2010). Leading Under Pressure. Reflection Question: If disruption hit tomorrow, what leadership habits have you already built, and what would you wish you had?

    15 min

  4. FEB 5

    Episode 40: Anatomy of Change

    In this episode of Leadership & Learning with Dr. JBT, Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon reflects on an early leadership experience that reshaped how she understands change. What began as a seemingly simple workflow adjustment—changing how a team managed a shared email inbox—quickly unraveled into confusion, frustration, and resistance. The logic of the change was sound, but the outcome was not. Why? Because change doesn't fail at implementation. It fails when leaders underestimate readiness. Drawing on the Anatomy of Change model, this episode explores the human side of change leadership and why even small shifts can provoke big emotional responses. Listeners are guided through five foundational conditions that must be present for change to succeed—not as a checklist, but as lived experiences that shape how people respond to uncertainty. In this episode, you'll explore: Why all change, big or small, creates emotional disruption How confusion, anxiety, frustration, and false starts signal missing readiness The five conditions people need to move through change successfully: A clear sense of direction Confidence in their ability to succeed Understanding the personal benefits of the change Adequate support and resources A clear, shared path forward Why readiness is relational, not procedural How leaders can prepare people for change rather than pushing change onto them Key takeaway: Successful change is not something leaders announce. It's something they prepare people for—intentionally, patiently, and humanely. This episode is a follow-up to conversations on leading change and offers a critical reminder: the pace of change is set not by strategy, but by people. Reflection question for leaders: Before launching your next change initiative, ask yourself: Am I assuming readiness because I feel ready or have I truly prepared my people for what's coming?

    8 min

  5. JAN 30

    Episode 39: Part 2 Interview with Sharon Ayala - Leading Change

    Today's conversation is part 2 with Sharon Ayala, a leader who doesn't shy away from the real work of leading change. Sharon has stepped into complex environments where expectations are high, priorities are competing, and the pace is relentless. And she's honest about what that actually feels like. In this conversation, Sharon shares openly about the challenges leaders face when everything feels urgent, and everyone needs something. She talks about how she thinks through priorities, how she makes tough decisions without losing sight of the people doing the work, and how she stays grounded when change is constant. What stood out most to me is this: no matter how intense the pressure, Sharon refuses to sacrifice psychological safety. She believes trust isn't a "nice to have" during change; it's the foundation that makes change possible. If you're leading in a season change, this conversation offers grounded insight into how to move forward without losing your people.

    23 min

  6. JAN 20

    Episode 38: Interview with Sharon Ayala - Leading Change Part 1

    Leading Change Through Listening: Building Trust, Buy-In, and Collaboration Special Guest: Sharon Ayala, Vice President for Marketing, Abilene Christian University Change rarely fails because of strategy. It fails because of misalignment, lack of trust, and leaders moving too fast without truly listening. In this episode of Leadership & Learning, Dr. JBT sits down with Sharon Ayala, Vice President for Marketing at Abilene Christian University, to explore what it really takes to lead meaningful change, especially when that change extends beyond your own department. Sharon brings deep experience leading teams through disruption and transformation, reimagining marketing not simply as a service function, but as a driver of institutional momentum, influence, and growth. Throughout the conversation, she shares how clarity of vision, intentional listening, and cross-functional collaboration become essential leadership tools when the path forward is still emerging. Together, they unpack what it looks like to: Gain buy-in from stakeholders outside your direct authority by building shared understanding rather than pushing agendas Create a collaborative mindset across departments with competing priorities Build trust with your own team by listening deeply both to what is said and what remains unspoken Identify the root problem before jumping to solutions, especially in moments of tension or resistance Lead change with confidence, even when outcomes are not yet fully defined This episode is a powerful reminder that listening is not passive; it is one of the most strategic acts of leadership. When leaders slow down to listen well, they create clarity, alignment, and the conditions for others to move forward with confidence. Whether you are leading a department, stepping into a new role, or navigating institutional change that requires influence across boundaries, this conversation offers practical insight and grounded wisdom for leading change that lasts. 🎧 Listen in and reflect: How often do you pause to truly listen before you lead?

    24 min

  7. JAN 13

    Episode 37: The Habits that Hold Leaders Back

    Book Recommendation: What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith In this episode of Leadership & Learning with Dr. JBT, I explore key insights from What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith—a powerful reminder that the behaviors that helped us rise as leaders can quietly limit our impact at the next level. Rather than focusing on competence or credentials, this conversation centers on behavioral awareness, relational impact, and the discipline of leadership growth. A Few Behaviors That Often Hold Leaders Back Below highlights a few of the 20 behaviors that frequently surface at senior levels: Winning too much – when collaboration turns into competition Adding too much value – unintentionally shutting down others by always jumping in first Failing to listen – listening to respond instead of listening to understand Withholding recognition – assuming appreciation is implied rather than expressed Refusing to apologize – protecting ego at the expense of trust These behaviors are rarely intentional—and often invisible to the leader—but they have a cumulative effect on culture, engagement, and trust. A Simple Framework for Reflection and Growth Awareness alone is not enough. In this episode, I introduce a practical framework leaders can use to move from insight to action: Notice the pattern – identify when and where the behavior shows up Understand the cost – shift from intent to impact Choose one behavior to work on – focus creates momentum Replace, don't just remove – intentionally practice a new behavior Leadership growth at this level is not about adding more skills; it's about letting go of habits that no longer serve. Reflection Question What is one behavior that once helped you succeed but may now be limiting your leadership impact?

    15 min

  8. JAN 6

    Episode 36: Reflecting Forward: Who I Was and Who I Am Becoming

    As leaders, we often measure growth by outcomes - titles, achievements, and wins we can point to. But real leadership growth rarely feels linear. More often, it happens in the uncomfortable space between who we were and who we are becoming. In this reflective year-end episode, Dr. JBT introduces the practice of reflecting forward—looking back with honesty, not to dwell, but to learn and lead with greater intention. Drawing from a year shaped by personal loss, professional headwinds, and meaningful leadership lessons, she explores how vulnerability, trust, and discomfort can become catalysts for growth rather than signs of failure. This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and consider how the experiences of the past year are shaping the leader you are becoming next. Reflecting Forward: A Leadership Framework Use these questions to guide your own year-end reflection or to prompt conversation with your team: Who was I as a leader at the beginning of this year? What strengths did I rely on the most? What moments stretched me the most—and what did they reveal about my leadership? Where did discomfort signal growth rather than failure? What leadership habits or instincts no longer serve me? Who am I becoming as a leader—and what behaviors must align with that future? Whether you're closing out a challenging year or preparing for a season of change ahead, this episode will help you reflect with purpose and move forward with clarity. Reflection Question: Who are you becoming as a leader and are your daily choices aligned with that future?

    12 min
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Welcome to the Leadership and Learning podcast with Dr. JBT, where we dive deep into the art of leadership for emerging and advancing leaders. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, this podcast is your go-to resource. We'll explore real-world scenarios, actionable solutions, and expert advice, with insights drawn from Jamie's own experiences and interviews with seasoned leaders. If you're serious about growing as a leader, you've come to the right place.

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