Episodes

Have you ever told yourself "I don't have a choice" — and actually believed it? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, I unpack one of the most powerful mindset shifts women in leadership can make: the difference between being stuck and avoiding a choice. Using the lens of relationships, careers, and money, Shenita explores how reclaiming your sense of power and choice is at the heart of leading yourself well — especially when the options in front of you feel uncomfortable, costly, or inc...

Confidence doesn’t disappear overnight—it’s often shaped by everyday leadership behaviors that go unnoticed. In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, we take a closer look at how leaders—especially those developing new manager leadership skills—can unintentionally influence confidence, growth, and direction in both professional and personal spaces. Because this isn’t just about leadership at work. How you lead a team tends to mirror how you navigate relationships, communication, and perso...

You’re not stuck—you’re invested. If you’ve ever felt like you’re going in the wrong direction but can’t seem to change course, this episode will challenge how you think about commitment, growth, and leadership. And if you're looking for a mindset shift for leaders, especially women in leadership navigating difficult decisions, this episode will challenge how you think about staying the course and when to move on. At some point, we all face a moment where something no longer feels right…but wa...

If you’ve ever felt like doing more should lead to better results—but somehow leaves you feeling stuck—this episode is for you. In this conversation, we explore a common belief many of us have been taught: that more effort automatically leads to success. But is that really true? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, Shenita breaks down the difference between effort and effectiveness in leadership and everyday life. You’ll learn why doing more can sometimes create confusion, dilute your m...

Struggling with career growth, leadership skills, or feeling overlooked at work? Wondering why your hard work isn’t translating into new opportunities? This leadership podcast episode explores what’s really happening when you find yourself waiting to be chosen—and how that pattern may be holding you back. Shenita breaks down the hidden costs of waiting, using practical leadership frameworks and real-world insight to challenge the idea that patience alone leads to progress. You’ll gain a new per...

Leadership often requires discipline, yet it’s a word many people resist. For leaders at every stage—including those developing new manager skills and women in leadership navigating growing responsibilities—discipline can feel restrictive or even negative. But what if discipline is actually the missing piece between the direction you want for your life and leadership and the results you hope to see? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, I explore why discipline is not a dirty word—and wh...

What does it really take to lead — and to keep going when no one's watching? In this special one-year anniversary episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, host Shenita B. reflects on the unexpected leadership lessons that emerged from a year behind the mic. Shenita draws a powerful parallel between solo podcasting and the realities of women in leadership — the loneliness, the self-doubt, the full weight of every decision landing on your shoulders. Whether you're a seasoned executive or building you...

What happens when a leader assumes everyone knows what’s expected — but no one actually does? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, I share a personal story about a meeting that caught me completely off guard. This conversation is especially important for new managers and emerging leaders who are developing their leadership skills and learning how to lead teams effectively. One of the most overlooked leadership mistakes is failing to set clear expectations — and the consequences can...

Leadership frameworks for managers and new manager leadership skills don't mean much if your message isn't landing. Leadership for managers starts with one foundational skill that everyone assumes they already have — and almost everyone gets wrong at some point. Communication. We talk about it constantly, and yet breakdowns still happen in our teams, our meetings, and our everyday interactions. The message was clear. The intent was good. And somehow, it still didn't land the way you meant it to...

If you're building your new manager leadership skills and looking for career strategies that actually work, this episode is for you. One of the most common leadership frameworks for managers getting started in a new role is to come in projecting authority, having all the answers, and proving you belong — and it backfires every time. Through two personal stories from my own leadership journey, I break down what it truly means to be taken seriously as a leader — and why earning credibility has ev...

New manager leadership skills are put to the test in months 2-3 of your role. In this final episode of the First 90 Days series, I guide women in leadership and all new leaders through the critical transition from observation to ownership. You're 60 days into your new leadership role—and the dysfunction you noticed isn't going away. In this final episode of the First 90 Days series, I reveal how to transition from observation to ownership in months 2-3. As you approach the three-month mark, it'...

Master month two of your first 90 days as a new leader. This episode delivers career strategies and leadership tactics for assessment, alignment, and turning chaos into clarity. Learn the critical difference between observation and evaluation, why SWOT analysis is an essential tool for analyzing both teams and operational systems, and the right time to share your findings with your boss. Get actionable leadership & career guidance for navigating your critical transition period, plus straightforw...

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 dow...

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 t...

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, an...

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...

Great leaders know when to lead and when to follow. In this episode, we explore the critical skill of followership—the willingness to adopt the best solution to a problem, even when it's not your idea. Many leaders struggle with this transition, undermining team collaboration and innovation in the process. Discover three key signs of poor followership that might be holding you back from being an effective leader. Using a powerful dance metaphor, this episode reveals how collaboration works best...

Not everyone who becomes a leader actively pursues the role. In this episode, we explore the critical difference between circumstantial leadership and deliberate leadership—and why understanding which path you're on matters for your success and satisfaction. If you were promoted into management because of your technical skills, seniority, or simply because a position opened up, you might be a circumstantial leader navigating challenges you never anticipated. From people management struggles to ...

Are you a director or manager struggling with team retention, low morale, or leadership challenges you can't quite pinpoint? In this episode, I break down the three core patterns of bad boss behavior that drive good employees away—and explore whether these patterns might be showing up in your own leadership style. Whether you've been passed over for promotion, are facing leadership development gaps, or find yourself at a career crossroads, understanding these patterns is essential for leadershi...

In this episode, we're talking about The Indispensability Tax—the hidden cost leaders pay when they refuse to take time off. If you're skipping vacations, struggling with vacation guilt, and wearing your exhaustion like a trophy, you're not building loyalty or proving your value. You're creating a fragile organization and fast-tracking leadership burnout. Here's the uncomfortable truth: your "dedication" might be insecurity in disguise. Your refusal to take PTO is teaching your team that work-l...

New Year, New Leadership Clarity: Why You Might Want to Quit Leading As the year winds down, it's time for honest reflection: Why do you really want to be a leader? This episode challenges you to look beyond the romanticized version of leadership examine your true motivations. Leadership is a responsibility that will stretch and shape you. Whether you're considering your first management role or eyeing executive leadership, this is your moment to pause and ask the hard questions. What does leade...

Leadership Lesson: Psychological Safety Saves Lives -And It Can Save Your Workplace Too If your team avoids speaking up, hesitates to share ideas, or shuts down during tough conversations, psychological safety may be missing. In this episode, we explore what effective leaders do differently and why building a culture of psychological safety is essential for leadership development, team communication, and employee engagement. You'll learn how psychological safety drives better performance in hig...

Why Leaders Avoid Change (And What It's Costing Your Credibility) Why do leaders avoid necessary change even when their teams bring solutions? The uncomfortable truth: you're not stalling because of timing or resources—you're stalling because accepting change feels like admitting your way wasn't working. For managers building leadership skills and credibility, understanding why you resist change is critical for career advancement and team trust. In this executive brief, discover why ego is the ...

Why Your Team Isn’t A High Performing One— (Even Though Everyone’s Capable) Think you have a high-performing team? Here's an uncomfortable truth: 70-80% of leaders believe they lead high-performing teams, but only 20-30% of employees agree. For managers building leadership skills and team management capabilities, this perception gap is destroying your credibility and career advancement. If your team has capable people but isn't delivering exceptional results, the problem isn't your people—it's ...