Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy for Directors and Managers

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  

  1. Want to Lead Well in Your First 90 Days? Start Here

    FEB 9

    Want to Lead Well in Your First 90 Days? Start Here

    New manager leadership skills are critical in your first 90 days—but not in the way you think. This episode explores essential leadership frameworks for managers stepping into their first leadership role or transitioning to a new management position. Learn why listening, learning, and building relationships matter more than making immediate changes, and discover proven strategies for new leaders to establish credibility without alienating their team. In Part 1 of this 3-part series, I break down the crossroads every new leader faces: the pressure to prove yourself versus the wisdom to pause and observe. Whether you're navigating your first management role or taking on new leadership responsibilities, this episode covers the leadership development fundamentals that set successful managers apart in their first 90 days. Key Topics: Why your first 90 days as a new manager require strategic restraintUnderstanding scope, stakeholders, and relationship dynamics in your new roleEssential questions to ask your team, peers, and boss during onboardingHow to build relationship capital that supports long-term leadership successAvoiding common mistakes that can derail new managers early Perfect for first-time managers, experienced leaders in transition, or anyone preparing for a management promotion. Tune in to Part 2 next week for more practical guidance on leading effectively in your new role. Need support during your first 90 days? Schedule some time to discuss your plan here. Ep. 49 Leader vs. Contributor Paradox Enjoyed what you heard and finding it valuable? Show your support and Buy Me A Coffee The Catalyst is a supplement to the podcast to provide insight during the week directly to your inbox. Leave a voicemail to share your thoughts or questions.

    21 min
  2. The Leader vs Contributor Paradox: Why Your Technical Skills Are Now Holding You Back and How to Fix It.

    FEB 2

    The Leader vs Contributor Paradox: Why Your Technical Skills Are Now Holding You Back and How to Fix It.

    New manager leadership skills require a fundamental shift—but most leaders struggle to make it. Instead of applying leadership frameworks to guide their teams, they stay buried in the technical work they're most comfortable with. If you're a leader who can't seem to stop being a contributor, this episode reveals why—and what to do about it. You got promoted because you were excellent at the work. But now that you're leading, you're still doing that work instead of leading others to do it. You tell yourself you're "helping the team" or "maintaining quality," but deep down, you know you're avoiding the harder leadership strategies your role actually requires. In this episode, we unpack the leadership vs. contributor paradox from the inside out: why capable leaders continue operating as individual contributors, what it costs you and your team when you can't let go, and the one thing you can do today to change it. Perfect for: New managers struggling to delegate because they can do it faster/better themselvesLeaders who stay in the weeds instead of developing leadership skills for strategic workAnyone promoted from contributor to leader who doesn't know how to stop being hands-onMid-level managers realizing their leadership frameworks are actually just "contributor work at scale"People ready to learn leadership strategies that move them from doer to leader Schedule your Personalized Leader Support Session here. Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee Get weekly insights delivered to your inbox: The Catalyst Leave a voicemail

    21 min
  3. Leading Without Clear Direction

    JAN 26

    Leading Without Clear Direction

    You've been hired to lead, but no one's told you where you're going. You ask about strategy, goals, priorities—and get vague answers or silence. Yet somehow, you're still expected to deliver results, demonstrate initiative, and make the right calls. Sound familiar? In this episode, we tackle one of leadership's most common but rarely discussed challenges: leading without clear direction. We'll explore why unclear expectations create conflict, the psychological toll of operating in ambiguity, and actionable strategies for moving forward when the path isn't clear. If you've ever felt like you're flying blind while everyone else seems to know the plan, this episode is for you. You're not incapable—you're navigating a reality most leaders face but few talk about openly. Perfect for leaders who feel stuck between the expectation to perform and the lack of clear organizational direction. New managers navigating ambiguous roles without adequate onboarding or guidance. Mid-level leaders caught between senior leadership's unclear strategy and their team's need for answers. Anyone who's been told to "figure it out" without being given the context to do so effectively. Other helpful episodes Overcoming Leadership Indecision... Developing A Strategic Mindset Join other leaders like you and get The Catalyst, a weekly insight-filled and encouraging newsletter to help you on your leadership journey. Support the show. Buy Me A Coffee Leave a Voicemail Ready to move to the next step? Book your 30-minute leader session with me.

    19 min
  4. Want to Build a High-Performing Team? Start Here

    JAN 19

    Want to Build a High-Performing Team? Start Here

    You just got your first team. Everyone's telling you to build a "high-performing team"—but what does that actually mean? If your team members are good at their jobs and hit their targets, isn't that enough? Here's what most new manager leadership skills training won't tell you: a high-performing team isn't just talented individuals doing good work. It's something more—and if you're feeling like something's missing but can't quite name it, this episode is for you. In this episode, we break down the two elements every high-performing team needs: psychological safety AND accountability. Most new leaders think these are opposites, but they're actually inextricably linked. You can't have one without the other. You'll learn: · Why talented individuals don't automatically make a high-performing team · What happens when you have psychological safety without accountability (and vice versa) · A practical leadership framework for managers to define what "high-performing" means in YOUR context · And more Perfect for new managers, women in leadership, and anyone navigating their first leadership role who wants actionable guidance, not corporate jargon. This is a follow-up to our psychological safety episode. If you missed it, check it out here: Leader Lesson: Psychological Safety... Ready to move from a collection of individuals to an actual team? Let's start here. Other helpful episodes: Want to Be a Leader? Start Here. Want to support the show? Buy Me A Coffee Leave me a voicemail with your topic or to share your thoughts. Get weekly insights via The Catalysts.

    20 min
4.2
out of 5
5 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