Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast

Shenita Brown

Feeling stuck in your career? Passed over for promotion? Struggling with leadership challenges that no one prepared you for? You're not alone—and you don't have to navigate these crossroads by yourself. Crossroads & Catalysts is the executive leadership podcast for directors, senior managers, and ambitious professionals ready to advance their careers with strategic clarity and confidence. Shenita Brown, an executive and leadership strategist, delivers actionable career advice, proven leadership frameworks, and the mindset shifts you need to move from stuck to strategic. If you're ready to elevate your leadership and stop perpetuating the poor examples you may have witnessed, this show is for you. You'll learn the leadership development skills that get you promoted, career advancement strategies designed for mid-career professionals, and how to navigate workplace challenges with confidence. We'll tackle the messy, everyday realities of leading teams—giving feedback that lands, holding people accountable without damaging relationships, navigating difficult conversations, and building genuine engagement. And yes, this show will tell you the hard truths you need to hear—because sometimes the issue isn't just your team or your organization, it's you. Real growth requires honest self-reflection, and that's exactly what we'll do together. We'll also cover executive presence, strategic thinking frameworks, decision-making, and other tactics that actually work. Perfect for women leaders, directors seeking executive roles, and professionals ready to turn career uncertainty into their next breakthrough moment. No fluff, no theory—just strategic insights you can implement immediately. New episodes every week. Because every crossroads is an opportunity for growth—and every catalyst starts with a decision. crossroadsandcatalysts.com ( http://crossroadsandcatalysts.com )

  1. 2d ago

    How to Speak Up at Work: Self-Advocacy Skills Every Leader Needs

    Want greater influence at work? Learning how to advocate for yourself is part of becoming a more effective—and more visible—leader. But speaking up doesn't mean being demanding, self-promotional, or always getting your way. Effective self-advocacy is knowing when to use your voice, what to communicate, and how to do it strategically. In this encore episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring how managing up creates the relational foundation that makes self-advocacy more effective—and why staying silent can communicate something you never intended. We'll talk about how to speak up in meetings, communicate your needs clearly, disagree professionally and affably, and advocate for your team without creating unnecessary division. You'll also learn why visibility and communication matter alongside the quality of your work when you're trying to build credibility, influence decisions, and advance your career. Perfect for:High-performing professionals who want greater influence and visibilityNew and emerging leaders learning to manage upProfessionals who struggle to advocate for themselvesLeaders who need to disagree or push back without damaging relationshipsAnyone who wants to communicate more strategically at work Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Leadership Readiness: Why Waiting Is Costing You—and What to Do Instead How to Build Confidence When You Don't Feel Ready Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    How to Speak Up at Work: Self-Advocacy Skills Every Leader Needs
  2. Oct 5

    Ready for Your Next Leadership Opportunity? Why Waiting Could Cost You (and What to Do Instead)

    Are you waiting to feel ready before making your next move? Whether you're considering a career opportunity, stepping into greater responsibility, launching something new, or pursuing a goal you've been putting off, waiting for confidence and certainty can keep you standing still. In this encore episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring the connection between readiness, confidence, and self-doubt—and challenging the belief that you have to feel ready before you act. Sometimes preparation is necessary. But sometimes the pursuit of readiness becomes a form of avoidance. We'll talk about how to recognize the difference, why confidence often develops through action rather than before it, and what it means to move forward when certainty is nowhere to be found. Perfect for:High-performing professionals considering their next career moveProfessionals preparing for greater responsibility or a new opportunityWomen working to build confidence and trust themselvesLeaders facing a new challenge or transitionHigh achievers who tend to over-prepare before making a moveAnyone allowing self-doubt or overthinking to delay action Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Leadership Readiness: Why Waiting Is Costing You—and What to Do Instead How to Build Confidence When You Don't Feel Ready Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    Ready for Your Next Leadership Opportunity? Why Waiting Could Cost You (and What to Do Instead)
  3. Sep 28

    What Executive Presence Really Is (And Why It Matters)

    Executive presence can influence whether you're trusted with bigger opportunities, invited into important conversations, or seen as ready for the next level. But what exactly is executive presence—and how do you develop it? In this encore episode, we're moving beyond confidence and looking at the external behaviors that shape how others experience your leadership. If you want to increase your influence at work, strengthen your leadership presence, or be seen as a leader before receiving the title, this conversation is for you. Executive presence isn't about simply looking the part. It's about building trust, communicating with intention, and consistently demonstrating the qualities that signal leadership readiness. In this episode, you'll learn:What executive presence really is—and why it's more than confidenceWhy technical expertise alone isn't enough to increase your influenceHow your leadership language shapes credibility and trustThe role of attention, silence, and composure in strong leadershipOne practical action you can use in your very next meeting to strengthen your executive presence Perfect for:High-performing professionals ready for greater responsibility and opportunityNew and emerging leadersProfessionals who feel overlooked despite delivering strong resultsWomen preparing for leadership or executive rolesAnyone looking to strengthen their executive presence and influence at work Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Leadership Readiness: Why Waiting Is Costing You—and What to Do Instead How to Build Confidence When You Don't Feel Ready Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    What Executive Presence Really Is (And Why It Matters)
  4. Sep 21

    Are You Developing Your Team—or Blocking Their Growth?

    Are you developing your team—or unintentionally standing in the way of their growth? Leadership development requires more than coaching and encouragement. Leaders also have to create the access, exposure, and opportunities employees need to gain experience and prepare for greater responsibility. In this episode, we're exploring how leaders can unintentionally delay employee growth by holding onto work, limiting exposure, or waiting until someone is "ready" before giving them opportunities to develop. We'll also examine the leader's responsibility to be intentional and honest about employee development—and a cycle that can leave capable people stuck without the very experience they need to advance. Wanting your people to grow and creating the conditions for them to grow are two very different things. Perfect for: managers and leaders who want to develop their teams, create meaningful growth opportunities, build leadership readiness, and avoid becoming an unintended gatekeeper to employee development. Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Leadership Readiness: Why Waiting Is Costing You—and What to Do Instead How to Build Confidence When You Don't Feel Ready Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    Are You Developing Your Team—or Blocking Their Growth?
  5. Sep 14

    How to Develop Good Judgment in Your Team

    How do you develop good judgment in your team? As a leader, coaching and delegation can build capability and ownership—but eventually, your employees must be able to make sound decisions when you're not there to give them the answer. In this episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring how leaders can help employees strengthen their judgment, use knowledge and experience to evaluate what's in front of them, and recognize when something deserves another question. We'll also look at the role psychological safety plays in developing independent thinkers and why being decisive isn't necessarily the same as exercising good judgment. Because the goal isn't to develop people who always make the same decisions you would. It's to build a team capable of thinking critically, exercising autonomy, and making informed decisions when you're not in the room. Perfect for: managers and leaders who want to develop stronger decision-making, critical thinking, autonomy, and good judgment within their teams. Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: How To Coach Your Team to Think for Themselves How To Delegate... Why Avoiding Accountability Creates Bigger Leadership Problems Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    How to Develop Good Judgment in Your Team
  6. Sep 7

    How to Delegate: A Leadership Tool for Developing Your Team

    Learning how to delegate effectively is an essential leadership skill—but delegation isn't just about managing your workload. Used intentionally, delegation can be a powerful tool for developing employees, building ownership, and strengthening your team. In this episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're looking beyond the traditional idea of delegation as simply getting work off your plate. You'll learn how the right assignment can become a development opportunity, why explaining the "why" behind a delegation matters, and how leaders can use delegation to help people grow into greater capability and ownership. We'll also explore an important leadership challenge: letting go. Because delegating responsibility means giving people room to approach the work differently, make decisions, and eventually develop the judgment to operate more independently. Delegation can solve a capacity problem. Great delegation can also develop a person. Perfect for: managers, new leaders, and experienced leaders who want to delegate more effectively, develop their teams, and build greater ownership without micromanaging. Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Why Avoiding Accountability Creates Bigger Leadership Problems How to Build Confidence When You Don't Feel Ready Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    How to Delegate: A Leadership Tool for Developing Your Team
  7. Aug 31

    How to Coach Your Team to Think for Themselves

    Coaching employees is one of the most important—and often overlooked—responsibilities of leadership. Great leaders don't just solve problems, set expectations, and hold people accountable. They develop people who can think, make decisions, and solve problems for themselves. In this episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring what coaching really looks like in leadership and why always having the answer may actually be limiting your team's growth. Using the familiar idea of "teaching someone to fish," we'll look at the difference between solving today's problem and developing someone's capability to handle tomorrow's. We'll also talk about why coaching requires leaders to resist the urge to step in, when coaching is—and isn't—the right approach, and how asking better questions can help your team become less dependent on you. Because accountability establishes the standard. Coaching develops the capability to meet it. Perfect for: managers, new leaders, and experienced leaders who want to develop stronger, more independent teams without becoming the answer to every problem. Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Want to Build A HIgh-Performing Team? Start Here Want to be a leader? Cultivate Awareness, Accountability & Resolve Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    How to Coach Your Team to Think for Themselves
  8. Aug 24

    Why Avoiding Accountability Creates Bigger Leadership Problems

    Accountability in leadership isn't just about addressing poor performance—it's about having the courage to deal with problems before they become someone else's responsibility. When leaders avoid difficult performance conversations, tolerate missed expectations, or fail to follow through, the problem rarely goes away. It usually gets bigger. I share lessons from my own leadership experiences, including inheriting an employee whose performance issues had gone largely unaddressed for years and coaching another leader through an accountability issue on his own team. We'll why leaders must be willing to address what isn't working—even when the conversation is uncomfortable. Because when you refuse to hold someone accountable, you're not eliminating the problem. You're simply leaving it for someone else to solve. Perfect for: Managers, new leaders, directors, and experienced leaders navigating employee performance, difficult conversations, team accountability, and the responsibility of leading others. Take Your Next Step: You've listened, now decide what to do next. Continue the Conversation: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your biggest takeaway or tell me about the crossroads you're navigating. 🎙️ Leave a voicemail: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com 📧 Email: connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com 🌐 Website: Crossroadsandcatalysts.com ⭐ Follow Crossroads & Catalysts so you never miss an episode. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please leave a rating and review. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Share this episode with them—you never know how one conversation can become someone else's catalyst. Upcoming Events & Resources: Ready to take the next step? Download the What's Next? A Crossroads Reflection Guide to assist you with identifying your crossroads, choices, and next steps. Or join my email list to be the first to know about upcoming events. Episodes For Your Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, check out: How to Set Clear Expectations Want to be a leader? Cultivate Awareness, Accountability & Resolve Enjoying the Show?If today's episode encouraged or challenged you, here are a few ways you can help others discover the show: • Share this episode with someone navigating a leadership or life crossroads. • Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. • Fuel future episodes by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating practical resources and thoughtful conversations that move us from insight to action. Thanks for listening. I appreciate your support and look forward to being with you again next week. At every crossroads, your next move matters. Make it with clarity, strategy, and intention.

    Why Avoiding Accountability Creates Bigger Leadership Problems
4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Feeling stuck in your career? Passed over for promotion? Struggling with leadership challenges that no one prepared you for? You're not alone—and you don't have to navigate these crossroads by yourself. Crossroads & Catalysts is the executive leadership podcast for directors, senior managers, and ambitious professionals ready to advance their careers with strategic clarity and confidence. Shenita Brown, an executive and leadership strategist, delivers actionable career advice, proven leadership frameworks, and the mindset shifts you need to move from stuck to strategic. If you're ready to elevate your leadership and stop perpetuating the poor examples you may have witnessed, this show is for you. You'll learn the leadership development skills that get you promoted, career advancement strategies designed for mid-career professionals, and how to navigate workplace challenges with confidence. We'll tackle the messy, everyday realities of leading teams—giving feedback that lands, holding people accountable without damaging relationships, navigating difficult conversations, and building genuine engagement. And yes, this show will tell you the hard truths you need to hear—because sometimes the issue isn't just your team or your organization, it's you. Real growth requires honest self-reflection, and that's exactly what we'll do together. We'll also cover executive presence, strategic thinking frameworks, decision-making, and other tactics that actually work. Perfect for women leaders, directors seeking executive roles, and professionals ready to turn career uncertainty into their next breakthrough moment. No fluff, no theory—just strategic insights you can implement immediately. New episodes every week. Because every crossroads is an opportunity for growth—and every catalyst starts with a decision. crossroadsandcatalysts.com ( http://crossroadsandcatalysts.com )