Leadership Beyond the Title

TaSheena Braxton| Mom, Executive Leadership & Team Coach
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Leadership Beyond the Title is hosted by TaSheena Braxton, Executive Leadership & Team Coach, mother of four, and a woman who learned how to lead long before she ever held a formal title. This podcast is for leaders who know they're capable of more — with or without the job title to prove it. Every week, we disrupt the outdated belief that leadership is tied to hierarchy, proximity to power, or navigating corporate politics. Leadership isn't given. Leadership is shown — through impact, visibility, strategic relationships, and the courage to show up as who you are. I created this podcast because I know what it feels like to be overlooked, underestimated, or told (implicitly or explicitly) that you aren't a leader until someone grants you permission. And I also know what it looks like to lead anyway — to influence without authority, to build trust across teams, to navigate power dynamics, and to grow a reputation that gets you opportunities you were never "supposed" to have. Inside this podcast, you'll learn how to: • Lead in any room — regardless of your title • Grow visibility without burning out • Build relationships that accelerate your career • Navigate identity, systems, and workplace politics with clarity • Position yourself as a leader people want to follow Our conversations will help you move from untapped, unseen, and under-recognized to someone who leads movements, shapes culture, and makes an undeniable impact — title or not. If you're ready to lead from who you are — not what your title says — you're in the right place.

  1. 1H AGO

    You Can't Win With 11 Quarterbacks (What Football Taught Me About Teams) | Ep #57

    Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast! 📜 Summary If you've ever struggled to get your quieter team members to share their strengths — or felt frustrated when team discussions get dominated by the loudest voices — this episode is for you. In this episode, I share how I used a football analogy combined with Visual Explorer cards to unlock collective leadership in a recent team session. I break down why most teams misunderstand collective leadership (hint: it's not about everyone doing everything the same way), and why asking people to "name their strengths" directly often backfires — especially for introverts, women, and anyone who finds self-promotion uncomfortable. You'll learn the football principle: why you can't win with 11 quarterbacks, and why every position — from the offensive line to the running back to the coach — is essential to a winning team. I walk you through how I used visual thinking tools to help even the quietest people articulate their unique contributions without feeling like they were bragging. By the end of this episode, you'll have a framework for teaching your team what makes a good team, plus a practical tool to help everyone — especially the quiet ones — claim their position and feel valued. 📖 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Why Quiet Team Members Struggle to Share Strengths 03:00 What Collective Leadership Actually Means 04:30 The Football Principle: Every Position Matters 08:00 Breaking Down the Positions: Quarterbacks, Offensive Line, Running Backs & More 13:00 Coaches, General Managers & The Full Team System 15:00 Collective Leadership: Everyone Doing Their Thing 17:00 Why Asking Directly About Strengths Backfires 21:00 Using Visual Explorer Cards to Unlock Strengths 25:00 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership Coaching 27:00 What Happened When the Team Used Visual Cards 30:00 The Four Elements of Collective Leadership 33:00 Combining Framework + Tool for Real Results 36:00 Reflection Questions for Your Team 38:00 Why Visual Tools Work (Even When You Think You Don't Need Them)   🔗 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership & Career Coaching If you're a woman of color who wants to grow your career without shape-shifting, overperforming, or silencing yourself — my 1:1 leadership coaching is designed for you. We'll get clear on the kind of leader you are (and want to be), create simple ways for you to be seen at work that don't require you to be loud or "on," and strengthen the relationships that actually influence decisions — so opportunities come to you instead of you waiting to be picked.   🔗 Apply for 1:1 coaching by booking a call here: BOOK A CALL HERE   Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers WOC leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. LinkedIn | Instagram | Website | TikTok

    41 min

  2. JAN 21

    Stop Calling My Personality a "Superpower" | Ep #56

    🎙️ Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast! 📜 Summary If you've ever been told "introversion is your superpower" — but you still feel drained, overlooked, or like leadership requires more adaptation than it should — this episode is for you. In this reflective solo episode, I'm unpacking why praise alone doesn't create inclusion — and how calling introversion a "superpower" can quietly place the burden back on introverted leaders to survive systems that were never designed for them. This isn't a rejection of introversion. It's an invitation to look deeper. We'll explore the difference between symbolic validation and structural change, why so many workplaces confuse visibility with impact, and how leadership effectiveness has far more to do with design, judgment, and clarity than personality traits. Because when introversion is truly valued, coping strategies shouldn't be required just to function. You'll hear: ✨ why "introversion as a superpower" can become pressure instead of empowerment ✨ how praise without system change increases emotional and cognitive load ✨ the difference between validation and real inclusion ✨ why this tension isn't personal — it's a design bias ✨ how meetings became performance spaces instead of thinking spaces ✨ what it actually looks like to design environments for a range of leadership styles ✨ why design is leadership — not personality management This episode is a grounding reframe — especially if you're tired of being told to "speak up more," "move faster," or "just adapt." Because your leadership isn't the problem. The environment is outdated. And leadership maturity shows up in what we're willing to redesign.   📖 Chapters 00:00 When "Introversion Is a Superpower" Still Feels Exhausting Why praise doesn't always translate into support. 03:30 Why This Language Started — and Where It Breaks Down How affirmation emerged as resistance — and why it's not enough. 07:30 Validation vs. Change When celebration replaces structural courage. 10:00 When the Burden Shifts Back to the Individual How "use your superpower" becomes a coping mandate. 13:30 Symbolic Praise vs. Tangible Support Why being valued in words but not in design creates burnout. 16:30 It's Not a Personality Mismatch — It's a Design Bias How workplaces quietly reward speed, volume, and dominance. 20:00 How Meetings Became Performance Spaces Why visibility gets confused with leadership. 23:30 Reframing Leadership Effectiveness Judgment, clarity, and decision quality — not airtime. 26:30 What It Means to Design for Range Practical examples of environments that support different styles. 30:00 Design Is Leadership Why inclusion requires structural courage. 32:30 Who This Conversation Is Really For Introverted leaders — and the executives who shape the system. 35:00 Final Reflection What would change if leadership stopped confusing visibility with value?   If this episode resonated, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with a leader who's been praised — but not truly supported. Because you don't need to be louder to lead. And leadership doesn't live in personality traits — it lives in how work is designed. Because you don't need a title to lead.   🔗 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership & Career Coaching If you're a woman of color who wants to grow your career without shape-shifting, overperforming, or silencing yourself — my 1:1 leadership coaching is designed for you. We'll get clear on the kind of leader you are (and want to be), create simple ways for you to be seen at work that don't require you to be loud or "on," and strengthen the relationships that actually influence decisions — so opportunities come to you instead of you waiting to be picked.   🔗 Apply for 1:1 coaching by booking a call here: BOOK A CALL HERE   Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers WOC leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. LinkedIn | Instagram | Website | TikTok

    36 min

  3. JAN 7

    Why You Don't Need to Fake It Till You Make It — Borrow Belief Instead | Ep #55

    🎙️ Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast! 📜 Summary If you've ever been told you're powerful, brilliant, poised, or a natural leader — but you don't always feel that way on the inside — this episode is for you. In this grounding solo episode, I'm sharing why so many Women of Color experience a gap between how others see us and what we've been conditioned to believe about ourselves — and why you do NOT need to "fake it till you make it" to close that gap. We'll explore the idea of Borrowed Belief — allowing the people who see you clearly (mentors, sponsors, leaders, friends, coaches) to hold the truth about your capability while your nervous system gently catches up. Because doubt isn't a flaw — it's a protection response that forms when you've spent years navigating comparison, bias, invisibility, and scrutiny in corporate systems that weren't built with you in mind. You'll hear: ✨ the real reason praise can feel uncomfortable in your body ✨ why "imposter syndrome" is often really imposter treatment ✨ the difference between Fake It Till You Make It vs Borrowed Belief ✨ how your nervous system protects you — even from opportunity ✨ healthy ways to receive affirmation & advocacy without shrinking ✨ who you should NOT borrow belief from — and how to choose safe people ✨ how to build self-trust gently — instead of forcing confidence This episode is a soft place to land — especially if you're tired of being told to "be more confident" or "just believe in yourself." Because your leadership isn't wishful thinking. Other people already see it. And while your nervous system learns that it's safe to be seen — you're allowed to borrow belief.   📖 Chapters 00:00 If People See Your Power Before You Do Why capable women still experience self-doubt — and why nothing is "wrong" with you. 04:00 Why I Don't Believe in "Imposter Syndrome" Understanding imposter treatment — and how systems shape self-doubt. 09:00 Your Brain Is Wired for Safety — Not Spotlight How your nervous system responds to visibility, risk, and opportunity. 12:30 What Borrowed Belief Really Means Letting trusted people reflect truth back to you — without pretending. 14:30 My Story: Becoming a Coach How someone else's belief opened a door I wouldn't have walked through alone. 19:30 Fake It Till You Make It vs Borrowed Belief The emotional, psychological, and spiritual difference between the two. 23:00 Reflection Questions to Gently Explore Who already sees your capability? And what truth are they reflecting? 26:00 How to Practice Borrowed Belief — Safely Simple relational practices that build grounded confidence over time. 27:30 Who Not to Borrow Belief From Protecting yourself from ego-driven validation or manipulation. 29:00 You Are Not Broken Confidence grows in healthy community — not isolation. 31:00 Final Reflections — Let Belief Hold You You don't have to rush. Your nervous system gets to catch up. If this episode supported you, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with another Woman of Color who deserves support on her leadership journey — without performance, pressure, or pretending. Because you don't need a title to lead. And you don't need to fake confidence to deserve opportunity. Because you don't need a title to lead. And you don't need to fake confidence to deserve opportunity.    🔗 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership & Career Coaching If you're a woman of color who wants to grow your career without shape-shifting, overperforming, or silencing yourself — my 1:1 leadership coaching is designed for you. We'll get clear on the kind of leader you are (and want to be), create simple ways for you to be seen at work that don't require you to be loud or "on," and strengthen the relationships that actually influence decisions — so opportunities come to you instead of you waiting to be picked.   🔗 Apply for 1:1 coaching by booking a call here: BOOK A CALL HERE   Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers WOC leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. LinkedIn | Instagram | Website | TikTok

    32 min

  4. 12/31/2025

    How to Let Go of the Past Year and Start Fresh in 2026 | Ep #54

    🎙️ Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast! 📜 Summary If you've been saying "new year, new me"…but still feel like you're carrying the emotional, financial, and spiritual leftovers of 2025 into the new year, this episode is your invitation to finally put those bags down. In this reflective solo episode, I share how I've been navigating one of the hardest years of my life — grief, transition, layoffs, DEI rollbacks, political tension, burnout, and the quiet pressure to hold it all together. And I walk you through the four powerful practices I'm using to create a true completion ceremony for the year — so you aren't dragging the old season into the new one. We'll talk about why "moving on" doesn't work without reflection…how grief keeps us holding onto identities, jobs, people, and things that no longer fit…and how God invites us to release what we've outgrown so He can make room for what's next. You'll learn: ✨ the 3 S's reflection framework — Successes, Stuck Points, and Shifts ✨ how to interrogate negative thoughts with compassion instead of shame ✨ why grieving is a spiritual and emotional practice — not a setback ✨ how identity markers shape the way you see yourself — and your future ✨ and the simple 5 Wants & Desires exercise to align you with your "why" This episode is for anyone — especially Women of Color — who have been strong for too long, who are still holding emotional receipts from the past few years, and who are ready to close the chapter with intention, faith, and self-compassion. Because you deserve to walk into 2026 lighter, clearer, grounded, and complete   📖 Chapters 00:00 If You're Ready to Close the Books on 2025 Why so many of us carry emotional "baggage" into the new year. 06:30 When the World Feels Heavy DEI rollbacks, layoffs, political noise — and how it impacts our nervous systems. 10:30 Completion vs. Avoidance What it truly means to say, "I am complete." 14:30 Reflection: The 3 S's Framework Successes, where you were stuck, and the shifts you're being called into. 22:00 Interrogating Negative Thoughts with Compassion How to question shame-based beliefs instead of living inside them. 28:00 Grieving, Releasing & Letting Go of Old Identities Clothes, papers, people, jobs — and who we used to be. 36:30 Five Wants & Desires — and Knowing Your Why Why purpose matters more than money or achievement. 42:00 Identity Markers & Becoming Who You're Called to Be How you see yourself physically, spiritually, relationally, financially & beyond. 45:30 Thank You as a Faith Practice Journaling gratitude for what hasn't happened yet — and trusting God anyway. 50:00 Final Reflections — Walking Into 2026 Lighter Completion, not perfection. Release, not pressure. Faith, not fear. ⭐ If this episode supports you, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a gentle, faith-rooted reset heading into the new year.   🔗 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership & Career Coaching If you're a woman of color who wants to grow your career without shape-shifting, overperforming, or silencing yourself — my 1:1 leadership coaching is designed for you. We'll get clear on the kind of leader you are (and want to be), create simple ways for you to be seen at work that don't require you to be loud or "on," and strengthen the relationships that actually influence decisions — so opportunities come to you instead of you waiting to be picked. 🔗 Apply for 1:1 coaching by booking a call here: BOOK A CALL HERE Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers WOC leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. LinkedIn | Instagram | Website | TikTok

    47 min

  5. 12/25/2025

    Embracing the Cringe in Your Leadership — And Why It Changes Everything w/Cat Del Carmen | Ep #53

    🎙️ Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast! 📜 Summary If you've ever felt like you needed permission to show up fully as yourself — or like leadership required perfection, polish, and playing it safe — this episode will feel like a deep exhale. In this conversation with business coach Catalina Del Carmen, we explore what it really means to embrace the cringe in your leadership — the awkwardness, the vulnerability, the moments where you're unsure how you'll be received — and why those moments are often the gateway to authenticity, impact, and visibility. Cat shares how creating content became the first place she allowed herself to show up as a whole human, not a curated persona. We talk about the famous Cringe Challenge — why doing the uncomfortable thing on purpose grows confidence and presence — and how this mindset can be used not only in entrepreneurship but inside corporate systems and leadership roles. You'll also hear powerful stories from Cat's early leadership career at Nordstrom and Adobe — including: ✨ how leaders who trusted and believed in her shaped her leadership identity ✨ why leaning into your strengths (even if they don't feel "professional") changes everything ✨ how to lead people with different working styles — especially neurodivergent folks ✨ and why servant leadership and honesty build trust faster than perfection ever could This episode is an invitation to stop performing, stop waiting to be chosen, and instead lead from the truth of who you are — messy, brave, imperfect, and powerful.   📖 Chapters 00:00 The Cringe Challenge — What It Really Means Where the idea came from and why discomfort is part of growth — not a problem.   07:30 Marketing Rules vs. Giving Yourself Permission How overthinking, perfectionism, and "doing it right" stop us from being visible.   15:00 Belief, Sponsorship & Being Seen Before You're Ready How leaders who saw Cat's strengths helped shape her confidence and identity.   22:00 Authentic Leadership & Owning Your Strengths Why the qualities that come easiest to you are often your greatest assets.   30:00 ADHD, Motherhood & Doing Things Differently Building systems around who you are — not who the world expects you to be.   38:00 Leading People Where They Are Servant leadership, honest conversations, and meeting people with compassion.   50:00 Final Takeaway — Do It Your Way (Even If It's Different) Trusting your ideas, embracing the cringe, and giving yourself permission.   💼 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership Coaching If you're a woman of color who wants to grow your career without shape-shifting, overperforming, or silencing yourself — my 1:1 leadership coaching is designed for you. We'll get clear on the kind of leader you are (and want to be), create simple ways for you to be seen at work that don't require you to be loud or "on," and strengthen the relationships that actually influence decisions — so opportunities come to you instead of you waiting to be picked. 🔗 Apply for 1:1 coaching by booking a call here: BOOK A CALL HERE   Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

    56 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    Your Biggest Problem is Thinking You Just Have to Work Hard | Ep#52

    Welcome back to  Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast! 📜 Summary If you're doing everything right at work — showing up, delivering high-quality work, being dependable — and your career still isn't moving forward, this episode is for you. In this episode, I break down why hard work alone stops driving career growth at a certain level, especially for women of color who were taught that reliability and execution would naturally lead to advancement. I explore how our conditioning — from school systems to early career experiences — trained us to believe that effort equals reward, and why that belief starts to fail as leadership expectations change. You'll hear why being the go-to person can actually keep you stuck, how blending in at work can feel safe but limit your growth, and why leaders don't promote based on effort alone — they promote based on clarity, positioning, relationships, and impact. I also share personal stories from my own career that illustrate how naming what you want (not doing more work) is often what changes your trajectory. This episode is an invitation to stop waiting to be noticed and start treating your career like a leadership system — not a classroom.   📖 Chapters 00:00 Why Hard Work Stops Working at Higher Levels 08:00 From Student Mindset to Leadership System 18:30 Being the Go-To Person vs. Being Positioned 27:30 Camouflage, Visibility, and Career Survival 34:00 Naming What You Want and Changing Your Trajectory   💼 Work With Me: 1:1 Leadership Coaching If you're doing strong work but feel stuck when it comes to visibility, influence, or career direction — my 1:1 leadership coaching is designed for you. I work with introverted women of color who want to grow their careers without performing, overworking, or becoming someone they're not. Together, we focus on clarifying your direction, strengthening key relationships, and understanding how leadership decisions actually get made — so your hard work leads to real movement. 🔗 Learn more about my 1:1 coaching and apply here: BOOK A CALL HERE Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

    45 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    The GENIUS Way to Network as an Introvert | Ep #51

    Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title Podcast!   📜 Summary If you find networking daunting as an introvert, this episode is a game-changer. Dive into tried-and-true strategies that don't require you to change who you are. Learn how mindset shifts and practical actions can help you build genuine relationships and open doors in your career. Discover the 2-2-2 method for effective follow-ups, leveraging extroverted connections, and more. Embrace your unique networking strengths and turn what once felt like a chore into a rewarding journey.   📖 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Networking for Introverts 00:59 Personal Struggles with Networking 02:41 Shifting the Mindset: Networking as Relationship Building 04:34 Embodying the Identity of a Networker 11:27 Practical Networking Tips for Introverts 24:20 The 2-2-2 Method for Nurturing Relationships 25:06 Introduction to the 2-2-2 Method 25:29 First Step: The Two-Day Follow-Up 27:16 Second Step: The Two-Week Follow-Up 29:56 Third Step: The Two-Month Follow-Up 30:29 Real-Life Application: Private School Admission 35:20 Leveraging Extroverted Networks 38:37 Recap and Final Thoughts   Free 5-Day 1:1 Coaching Experience If you want to grow into leadership as an introverted WOC — without performing extroversion — you have to learn how to build relationships that make your work noticeable. Your work deserves to be seen — but your relationships make that happen. I'm teaching this inside my 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭:𝟭 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, happening January 5–9. https://coachingwithtasheena.as.me/challenge   Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. Learn more about working with me by setting up a sales call here.  LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

    44 min

  8. 12/05/2025

    How I Turned a Career-Threatening Moment Into Executive Support — And How You Can Too | Ep#50

    Welcome back to Leadership Beyond the Title! Today's episode walks you through one of the most pivotal moments of my career — a moment that could have damaged my reputation, limited my opportunities, and changed the trajectory of my work… if I didn't intervene. If you've ever worried about what a senior leader thinks of you, felt misjudged by someone with power, or wondered how to advocate for yourself without burning bridges — this episode is your roadmap. Inside this episode, you'll learn: ✨ The exact moment a senior leader questioned my competence — and why I refused to let that narrative stand ✨ How I turned an uncomfortable, high-pressure situation into long-term executive support ✨ Why stopping the "executive pedestal effect" instantly boosts your confidence ✨ The 3-part framework that helped me shift the relationship: Conversation — communicating with conviction Connection — building trust without hierarchy Invitation — transforming tension into mentorship ✨ How to communicate clearly (even when the stakes feel high) ✨ What most people misunderstand about executive presence ✨ Why avoiding difficult conversations costs more than having them ✨ How to read disengagement, avoidance, and mixed signals with discernment You'll also hear how this experience changed the way I approach leadership forever — and why anyone can use this process to get noticed, respected, and supported by senior leadership… even if you're introverted, quiet, or not the "typical" leader in the room. If you're ready to move from overlooked to undeniable — without performing, pretending, or becoming someone you're not — this episode will show you exactly how. Want personalized leadership support?  Enrollment for the 6-Figure Leader community is open. Join 6FL here ➡️ https://anchoredandactivated.myflodesk.com/6figureleadership Where to Find TaSheena Sign up for "A Seat At The Table," my Weekly Newsletter that empowers leaders and their teams to build their own seats at the table. Learn more about working with me by setting up a sales call here.  LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

    39 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Leadership Beyond the Title is hosted by TaSheena Braxton, Executive Leadership & Team Coach, mother of four, and a woman who learned how to lead long before she ever held a formal title. This podcast is for leaders who know they're capable of more — with or without the job title to prove it. Every week, we disrupt the outdated belief that leadership is tied to hierarchy, proximity to power, or navigating corporate politics. Leadership isn't given. Leadership is shown — through impact, visibility, strategic relationships, and the courage to show up as who you are. I created this podcast because I know what it feels like to be overlooked, underestimated, or told (implicitly or explicitly) that you aren't a leader until someone grants you permission. And I also know what it looks like to lead anyway — to influence without authority, to build trust across teams, to navigate power dynamics, and to grow a reputation that gets you opportunities you were never "supposed" to have. Inside this podcast, you'll learn how to: • Lead in any room — regardless of your title • Grow visibility without burning out • Build relationships that accelerate your career • Navigate identity, systems, and workplace politics with clarity • Position yourself as a leader people want to follow Our conversations will help you move from untapped, unseen, and under-recognized to someone who leads movements, shapes culture, and makes an undeniable impact — title or not. If you're ready to lead from who you are — not what your title says — you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    TaSheena Braxton| Mom, Executive Leadership & Team Coach
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © TaSheena Braxton| Mom, Executive Leadership & Team Coach
  • Show Website
    Leadership Beyond the Title