Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co

Rhoda Banks

Welcome to Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., the podcast wherereal talk sparks real change.Hosted by Rhoda Banks—HR Executive, Certified Coach, Leadership Expert, and Two- Time Author—this show dives deep into the stories of women who have shattered barriers and lifted others along the way. From leadership lessons to candid conversations on resilience, sisterhood, andbreaking through the glass and concrete ceilings—especially for African Americanwomen—each episode delivers insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies for rising, leading, and lifting as you climb. Whether you're navigating the boardroom, pushing past career ceilings, or redefining success on your own terms, Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co. is your space to learn, grow, glow, and build a legacy worth remembering. Because every barrier is breakable.

  1. 17H AGO

    Credibility Over Control: The Leadership Shift That Scales Teams

    What happens when leaders stop trying to control everything and start leading through credibility instead? In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with a senior sales leader known for transforming underperforming markets into high- performing teams through clarity, accountability, trust, and ownership. Together, they unpack one of the biggest leadership traps: believing control creates results. The conversation explores why credibility, not micromanagement, is what truly scales teams and builds sustainable performance. This episode is packed with honest leadership insight around: • Recognizing when you have become the bottleneck • Creating clarity that drives accountability • Building trust without lowering standards • Shifting ownership back to the team • Leading through credibility instead of positional authority • Identifying root causes inside struggling teams • Developing teams that perform without constant oversight Rhoda and her guest, Patrick Clayton also discuss the real emotional and operational costs of over-controlling leadership, and the behaviors that consistently build trust, confidence, and followership. Key Takeaways: • Clarity reduces confusion and increases ownership • Teams grow when leaders stop over-managing • Credibility is built through consistency and accountability • Strong leaders create conditions for success, not dependency • Leadership influence expands when trust increases If you are leading people, building teams, or trying to become a more effective and trusted leader, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership presence, accountability, and growth. Listen now and ask yourself: Are you leading through control, or through credibility? Follow Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co. for more conversations focused on leadership, resilience, growth, culture, and breakthrough moments. Your breakthrough begins with how you lead.

    34 min

  2. MAY 14

    From Customer Support to Director: The Leadership Mindset That Drives Results

    Whitney Howard shares how she rose from customer support to director level by shifting from doing the work to owning outcomes. This conversation focuses on leadership mindset, operational clarity, and driving real results. Key Takeaways  Leadership starts with how you think, not your title  Doing tasks is not the same as driving outcomes  Hidden gaps in systems cost time and money  Strong leaders see and fix problems early Action Steps  Own one outcome in your current role  Identify one breakdown in a process you touch  Start thinking beyond your job to the business result ⚡ Rapid Fire  Leadership word: Ownership  Common mistake: Task focus  Key habit: Think beyond your role  Connect with Whitney https://stan.store/TheBenjaminEffect @_thebenjamineffect Your breakthrough begins with a shift.

    31 min

  3. MAY 7

    5 Things Your Team Will Never Forget About You

    What will people remember about you as a leader? Not your title. Not your results. Not your resume. In this solo episode, Rhoda breaks down five leadership behaviors that leave a lasting impact on your team. This is a practical, honest conversation about how you show up, how you build trust, and how you shape your leadership legacy in everyday moments. If you want to be remembered as a leader who made a difference, this episode gives you a clear place to start. What You’ll Learn  Why leadership legacy is built in everyday interactions  How your behavior shapes how people experience you  The connection between trust, consistency, and credibility  What separates leaders who are respected from those who are remembered Mentioned in This Episode  Rhoda’s upcoming book: Make Them Remember 7 Principles to Shape the Leadership Legacy You Leave Behind Connect with Rhoda Follow for more leadership insights, coaching, and real conversations on how to grow, lead, and break through. Closing Thought Your leadership is being remembered in real time. Make it count.

    10 min

  4. APR 16

    While You Wait: Navigating the Job Market Without Losing Your Confidence

    In this solo episode, Rhoda discusses something she is personally navigating, staying confident and grounded while searching for the right opportunity in a competitive market. What You’ll Take Away A healthier way to view rejection How to stay focused and in motion A reminder that your value does not change Connect with Rhoda Follow for more insights on leadership, career growth, and breakthrough moments. Explore coaching, speaking, and consulting through The Rhoda Experience. Closing Thought You are not stuck. You are preparing.

    15 min

  5. APR 9

    Small Bites. Big Breakthroughs.

    Ryan McCrea, Leadership development expert and author of Quick Bites of Insight: Leadership Micro Sized Learning on Work and Leadership joins the show. What We Covered:  Why traditional leadership development often requires supplemental and additive approaches  The power of micro-learning in daily leadership  How small insights lead to lasting behavior change  Practical ways to develop yourself and your team in real time  Real-life leadership scenarios and how to respond Key Takeaways:  Growth happens in small, consistent moments  Leaders must move from knowing to doing  You can build leadership habits without adding more work  Simple actions create meaningful impact Get the Book: Quick Bites of Insight: Leadership Micro Sized Learning on Work and Leadership Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmccrea/ https://www.quickbitesofinsight.com/

    50 min

  6. APR 2

    Leadership with Traction: From Engineer to CHRO and the Power of Lifting Others

    In this episode, Rhoda speaks with executive coach and former Chief Human Resources Officer Jada Reese about leadership growth, mentoring, and navigating executive leadership as a woman. Jada shares lessons from her career journey that began in mechanical engineering and evolved into senior HR leadership roles at major organizations including Enterprise Bank and Schnucks. After more than three decades leading people strategy, culture transformation, and executive teams, Jada now coaches senior leaders on building sustainable leadership impact. Key Topics  Transitioning from technical expert to strategic leader  Lessons learned serving as CHRO in complex organizations  Why mentoring is a responsibility of leadership  Navigating leadership as an African American woman  The importance of authentic leadership and voice  Helping leaders lead with clarity and purpose About Jada Reese Jada Reese is an executive leadership coach and former Chief Human Resources Officer with over 30 years of experience leading people strategy across complex organizations. She has led major transformations, mergers, and culture initiatives while helping organizations build stronger talent pipelines and leadership capability. Today she coaches senior leaders and emerging executives to amplify their leadership voice and lead with authenticity and courage.

    44 min

  7. MAR 26

    The Leadership Shadow You Don’t Know You’re Casting

    In this solo episode, Rhoda challenges leaders to confront a critical but often overlooked truth. You are always casting a leadership shadow. Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical reflection, this episode explores how your behavior, energy, and emotional presence shape your team’s experience. You will walk away with a deeper awareness of your leadership impact and clear steps to lead with intention. What You’ll Learn What a leadership shadow is and why it matters  How unexamined leadership shows up in harmful ways  The difference between intention and impact  How your behavior shapes team culture daily  Why leadership legacy is built through experience, not titles  Key Takeaways Your leadership is felt before it is understood  Culture is built by what you normalize, not what you say  Unchecked stress and insecurity show up in your leadership  Awareness is the first step to transformation  Your leadership shadow becomes someone else’s internal voice  Connect With Rhoda Coaching, speaking, and leadership experiences through The Rhoda Experience  Podcast: Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co.  Call to Action If this episode made you think differently about your leadership, share it with another leader. And ask yourself: What kind of shadow am I casting?

    12 min

  8. MAR 20

    From Corporate to Startup and Back Again: Reinventing Leadership at Every Stage

    In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with Aaron Adams, a seasoned leader in the startup technology space whose career spans corporate leadership, executive consulting, entrepreneurship, and high-growth startups. Aaron shares:  The key differences between corporate and startup leadership  What consulting teaches you about influence  Lessons learned from navigating multiple career pivots  Advice for seasoned leaders feeling restless  Guidance for emerging leaders building their foundation With a background in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and certifications in SHRM and PROSCI change management, Aaron offers practical wisdom on leading through growth, ambiguity, and reinvention. If you’re navigating career transitions, building leadership capacity, or wondering when it’s time to pivot, this episode is for you.

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., the podcast wherereal talk sparks real change.Hosted by Rhoda Banks—HR Executive, Certified Coach, Leadership Expert, and Two- Time Author—this show dives deep into the stories of women who have shattered barriers and lifted others along the way. From leadership lessons to candid conversations on resilience, sisterhood, andbreaking through the glass and concrete ceilings—especially for African Americanwomen—each episode delivers insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies for rising, leading, and lifting as you climb. Whether you're navigating the boardroom, pushing past career ceilings, or redefining success on your own terms, Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co. is your space to learn, grow, glow, and build a legacy worth remembering. Because every barrier is breakable.

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