March 17, 2026
What Podcasting Taught Me About Leadership and Can Teach You Too
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 your new manager leadership skills, this episode will meet you right where you are.
She shares four hard-earned lessons from year one and unpacks why they're not just personal growth buzzwords. They're core leadership strategies for women navigating pivotal moments in their careers and lives.
The reality is leadership doesn't always look polished from the inside. But it's worth it.
Perfect For:
- Women in leadership who are building something new and wondering if it's working
- New managers developing their leadership skills and learning to trust their voice
- Anyone at a professional crossroads who needs a reminder that starting before you're ready is the strategy
- Leaders who want honest, real-world insight — not just theory
Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode and visit my website to book her for speaking engagements or leave a voicemail with your topic requests.
The Catalyst newsletter
Wanna support the show and show your appreciation? Buy Me A Coffee
WEBVTT
00:00.537 --> 00:07.468
[SPEAKER_00]: A year ago, I had record on a podcast that asked one simple question, what do you do when leadership puts you at a crossroads?
00:08.109 --> 00:17.624
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, today marks one year of crossroads in catalysts and I want to talk to you about what this journey has taught me and what I think will assist you as you continue on your journey.
00:18.044 --> 00:21.470
[SPEAKER_00]: Things about leadership, risk, and starting before you're ready.
00:21.990 --> 00:23.052
[SPEAKER_00]: So let's get into it.
00:25.546 --> 00:27.148
[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to Crossroads in Catalyst.
00:27.268 --> 00:28.589
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm your host, Shini to be.
00:28.609 --> 00:38.458
[SPEAKER_00]: This is where we explore how a thoughtful, wise, and strategic perspective at life's crossroads can become the catalyst for meaningful change in leadership in your life's direction.
00:39.459 --> 00:44.464
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, when I started this podcast, I had experienced my very own crossroads.
00:44.885 --> 00:46.186
[SPEAKER_00]: And it was not the first one.
00:46.246 --> 00:48.368
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'm sure that it won't be the last.
00:48.869 --> 00:54.574
[SPEAKER_00]: But what I realized is there are a lot of other people who are experiencing the same thing.
00:54.554 --> 00:59.083
[SPEAKER_00]: And how helpful might it be to share what my experiences were.
00:59.124 --> 01:06.599
[SPEAKER_00]: And maybe they could gain something and learn something and apply it to their situation and have a better outcome.
01:07.762 --> 01:10.808
[SPEAKER_00]: And because what I've learned over the years,
01:10.788 --> 01:20.441
[SPEAKER_00]: is you can't, you can't always predict what's going to happen, but you can do your best to prepare for it.
01:21.022 --> 01:33.218
[SPEAKER_00]: So before we jump into some of the lessons or even the things that were reinforced for me over the last year, I just want to say thank you for supporting my show by listening and following.
01:33.198 --> 01:49.300
[SPEAKER_00]: and giving and offering feedback because those things they they really do matter and if you haven't already make sure that you follow the show in Apple or Spotify or check out my website crossroads in catalyst.com so that you don't miss an episode.
01:49.583 --> 01:55.652
[SPEAKER_00]: So, you know that in life and leadership, things often look very easy from the outside looking in.
01:55.692 --> 02:07.390
[SPEAKER_00]: And we sometimes convince ourselves that we possess the skills to take on whatever it is that is before us, and we don't often realize how challenging those things might actually be.
02:08.365 --> 02:12.334
[SPEAKER_00]: and so you put that in the podcast in context, right?
02:13.297 --> 02:24.062
[SPEAKER_00]: There's something about doing a solo podcast that really surprised me and I didn't expect how much it would actually mirror leadership itself.
02:24.042 --> 02:34.485
[SPEAKER_00]: Solo podcasting and leadership, they have a lot more in common than what I realized because both can be very lonely and both can be extremely heavy.
02:35.327 --> 02:39.196
[SPEAKER_00]: And when you're the one behind the mic, every decision starts with you.
02:39.777 --> 02:42.844
[SPEAKER_00]: The topic, the message, the direction, the strategy,
02:42.824 --> 03:01.778
[SPEAKER_00]: And if it succeeds or fails, well, of course you already know who's going to be the one to take on that because that that was something that I determined that will not just that I determined it was going to fall on me and leadership it really does feel this way quite often.
03:01.758 --> 03:11.196
[SPEAKER_00]: because even when you have a team of people around you, you recognize the responsibility and you feel it and you know that the decision is up to you.
03:11.236 --> 03:24.542
[SPEAKER_00]: This is squarely placed on your shoulders and that can be very off-putting, right, which is why there are a lot of people who choose not to go down the leadership path because they don't want to deal with it.
03:25.113 --> 03:34.748
[SPEAKER_00]: So behind every episode, I mean, you got to know that there's the planning, the strategy, the execution, you have to measure what works, measure what didn't work.
03:34.808 --> 03:43.341
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to decide what to do differently next time, believe me when I tell you, it's like a full sea sweet thinking going on behind the mic.
03:43.321 --> 03:50.974
[SPEAKER_00]: So in order to deliver something that is useful, that is valuable, you have to think through these things, you have to plan for these things.
03:51.575 --> 03:56.342
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's not always easy because again, it's a solo podcast.
03:56.362 --> 03:59.187
[SPEAKER_00]: And so the more that I thought about it, the more that I realized,
03:59.167 --> 04:01.410
[SPEAKER_00]: This is exactly what leadership looked like.
04:02.071 --> 04:14.310
[SPEAKER_00]: And I've been a leader for quite some time, but in every role of leadership that I've had, it has brought something different to me and has caused me to stretch a little bit more than I had before.
04:14.671 --> 04:18.036
[SPEAKER_00]: And I do have an appreciation for that, so that's definitely not a complaint.
04:19.450 --> 04:27.823
[SPEAKER_00]: This podcast might sound like one voice behind a microphone, but behind the scenes is a CEO level exercise in leadership.
04:28.485 --> 04:44.310
[SPEAKER_00]: And that is just one other way to test your metal is to go for something that you have not done before, that you know really not anything about, except that there's a voice on the other end of the audio player that you're using to listen.
04:44.290 --> 04:51.180
[SPEAKER_00]: So, in many ways, this podcast has been its own crossroads for me and how what do I mean by that?
04:51.841 --> 04:53.384
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I've had to deal with doubt.
04:53.544 --> 05:01.115
[SPEAKER_00]: I've asked myself, what if this doesn't work or I'm even wondering if I'm really cut out to do something like this?
05:02.117 --> 05:04.160
[SPEAKER_00]: Question and whether it's even helping anybody.
05:04.680 --> 05:09.167
[SPEAKER_00]: Because when you're the only person on the mic,
05:09.147 --> 05:18.218
[SPEAKER_00]: and you don't have a co-host or someone on the screen to talk to, you're not getting that instant feedback, right?
05:19.199 --> 05:25.787
[SPEAKER_00]: And yet every episode has reinforced something that I believe for a long time, that leadership is actually vital.
05:26.708 --> 05:35.138
[SPEAKER_00]: It does matter, and I think that it is actually vital in the way that we carry out, carry it out, is extremely important.
05:36.265 --> 05:46.482
[SPEAKER_00]: the clarity that a leader brings or they don't bring, it matters and the way that they show up for their team matters.
05:47.825 --> 05:54.095
[SPEAKER_00]: You just cannot, in my opinion, you cannot underestimate the value that a good leader brings.
05:54.476 --> 06:01.648
[SPEAKER_00]: And so that's exactly why I think that these conversations are worth
06:02.725 --> 06:08.995
[SPEAKER_00]: There have been a lot of lessons that I've learned, but there have been a few that have definitely stood out to me.
06:09.176 --> 06:11.487
[SPEAKER_00]: And so those are the ones that I'm going to share with you today.
06:13.306 --> 06:22.939
[SPEAKER_00]: one of them is courage because looking back it's really interesting as some of my colleagues began to learn that I had a podcast.
06:23.700 --> 06:34.315
[SPEAKER_00]: I would hear some of them say well that's really courageous and I was a little dismissive not toward them but of the thought that it would be courageous for me to start a podcast.
06:35.436 --> 06:38.841
[SPEAKER_00]: But as I continue to hear that
06:40.137 --> 06:56.509
[SPEAKER_00]: It made me realize I am doing something new and it's challenging and I don't know what's going to happen on the other side, that that is a different level of courageousness that
06:56.489 --> 07:15.079
[SPEAKER_00]: I didn't even really think applied to me, but I guess that there is something courageous about doing something new and different, and especially in a leadership context where you're working and you're going to, you're going to meetings with people who know what you do, who knows what they think or don't think, right?
07:16.321 --> 07:22.952
[SPEAKER_00]: So then the second lesson that I learned was
07:24.417 --> 07:35.992
[SPEAKER_00]: I have to be honest with myself for sure, because I had heard that most people when they started podcast, they don't make it past the first 70 or 10 episodes.
07:36.893 --> 07:40.778
[SPEAKER_00]: So when you recognize that that is the case, it's not very encouraging.
07:41.399 --> 07:50.391
[SPEAKER_00]: So you have to know that you are going in it to win it, despite what you've seen, regardless of the stats.
07:50.928 --> 07:57.060
[SPEAKER_00]: that you have to stick with it and creating something consistently, it definitely requires more than enthusiasm.
07:57.601 --> 08:06.878
[SPEAKER_00]: It requires an ability to keep going even when the excitement wears off and the work remains, because believe me, there's plenty of work that goes into...
08:06.858 --> 08:09.222
[SPEAKER_00]: putting on a podcast.
08:09.242 --> 08:16.214
[SPEAKER_00]: And again, this is so much aligned with leadership and what leadership requires.
08:16.615 --> 08:25.210
[SPEAKER_00]: So it was just continually reinforcing what I had learned through my experiences in leadership all these years.
08:26.973 --> 08:29.457
[SPEAKER_00]: So the third lesson that I learned was conviction.
08:30.803 --> 08:53.740
[SPEAKER_00]: And at some point, you have to stop worrying about what other people might think and decide what the work itself means to you and recognize that it matters to you because when you have the conviction about what you're building or even saying the outside noise is going to eventually die down because you're not even going to notice it it's only going to be white noise for you and.
08:53.720 --> 08:56.207
[SPEAKER_00]: In my opinion, that's a good thing.
08:57.049 --> 09:08.522
[SPEAKER_00]: You want to learn to tune in to those things that you need to hear and learn to tune out those things that you don't need to hear, right?
09:09.869 --> 09:21.443
[SPEAKER_00]: So the fourth lesson that I learned or not necessarily learned I would probably be better stated to say that was reinforced for me is self belief.
09:22.545 --> 09:24.407
[SPEAKER_00]: And what do I mean by that?
09:24.487 --> 09:35.961
[SPEAKER_00]: Well over over this last year, this podcast has really helped me to realize that my voice and my experiences
09:36.532 --> 09:39.798
[SPEAKER_00]: the things that I've seen and learned in leadership.
09:40.679 --> 09:41.861
[SPEAKER_00]: These are not just stories.
09:42.863 --> 09:46.069
[SPEAKER_00]: These are lessons that can actually help someone else.
09:47.051 --> 09:53.983
[SPEAKER_00]: And in my estimation, that is of so much value and it's a blessing
09:53.963 --> 10:12.917
[SPEAKER_00]: that there are people out there who not only are interested, but they have a desire to know what my experiences were, how I work through it, so that they could see themselves in those situations and figure out how they can proceed and move forward in their own way.
10:14.129 --> 10:22.979
[SPEAKER_00]: It took me a while to fully acknowledge that, but I would say that somewhere along the way, I really did begin to understand that sharing those experiences.
10:23.279 --> 10:24.441
[SPEAKER_00]: That's exactly the point.
10:25.162 --> 10:34.893
[SPEAKER_00]: And so again, like I said, there were many things that I learned, but this last year has just been one of those things where I've been stretched.
10:35.594 --> 10:43.883
[SPEAKER_00]: I've had to recommit to doing some things.
10:44.858 --> 10:49.384
[SPEAKER_00]: you're not always sure that what you're saying, what you're doing is working.
10:50.466 --> 11:01.701
[SPEAKER_00]: So what that means is that you have to pursue other means to get information and insight that will help you to decide if you need to pivot or if you need to stay the course.
11:03.824 --> 11:13.718
[SPEAKER_00]: Neither of which is right or wrong, but you have to understand what it is that's going on
11:15.098 --> 11:30.655
[SPEAKER_00]: The reason that I started this podcast was again, because I wanted to share my experiences because of where I was and what I had encountered and I wanted to be helpful.
11:31.816 --> 11:44.329
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think that it has been and I certainly appreciate that you have stuck around to glean something
11:44.309 --> 11:45.831
[SPEAKER_00]: to apply to your own life.
11:47.033 --> 11:55.267
[SPEAKER_00]: And so looking ahead, this next year, it's going to get even better because my plan is that I'm going to be doing more speaking.
11:55.988 --> 12:05.323
[SPEAKER_00]: So if you're looking for someone to talk about leadership or decision making or navigating some of those pivotal moments, then let's let's get together.
12:05.363 --> 12:06.185
[SPEAKER_00]: Let's talk about it.
12:06.826 --> 12:10.772
[SPEAKER_00]: You can go to my website crossroads and
12:10.752 --> 12:12.977
[SPEAKER_00]: and contact me there, okay?
12:13.739 --> 12:21.798
[SPEAKER_00]: And one of the things that I am definitely looking forward to doing is hosting leadership events.
12:22.901 --> 12:29.436
[SPEAKER_00]: Because I want us to really get deeper into some of these conversations.
12:30.918 --> 12:35.446
[SPEAKER_00]: so that we can continue to elevate because that's what we're trying to do.
12:35.506 --> 12:43.320
[SPEAKER_00]: And of course, I'm going to continue to refine my craft as a podcaster because there's always something for me to learn.
12:43.941 --> 12:46.345
[SPEAKER_00]: I have not reached the terminal point.
12:46.325 --> 12:52.414
[SPEAKER_00]: of podcasting and knowing everything to do and not to do and what to try.
12:52.434 --> 13:00.526
[SPEAKER_00]: So you're going to continue to go through this journey with me and this is going to be a good thing.
13:00.566 --> 13:05.633
[SPEAKER_00]: So if you want to help to grow the show, I do want to hear from you.
13:05.673 --> 13:08.097
[SPEAKER_00]: Your feedback is important.
13:08.077 --> 13:14.621
[SPEAKER_00]: I want you to tell me what kind of challenges that you're facing and what kind of topics that you would like to hear about on the podcast.
13:15.203 --> 13:17.732
[SPEAKER_00]: So you also go to the website.
13:19.079 --> 13:24.026
[SPEAKER_00]: Crossroads in catalyst.com and hit the mic icon and leave a voicemail.
13:24.086 --> 13:25.328
[SPEAKER_00]: You don't even have to type anything.
13:25.348 --> 13:35.002
[SPEAKER_00]: You can leave a voicemail and let me know what it is that you think, what you want to hear and we can say connected that way and you can also sign up for my newsletter the catalyst.
13:35.022 --> 13:36.324
[SPEAKER_00]: You can do that at my website.
13:36.885 --> 13:39.889
[SPEAKER_00]: All of these links will be in the show notes.
13:39.869 --> 14:00.747
[SPEAKER_00]: So before I go, I just want to say again, that I appreciate that you have listened and whether this is your first episode or you've been here since the beginning, I really do appreciate that you have been a part of my journey and that you have allowed me to be a part of yours.
14:00.727 --> 14:14.475
[SPEAKER_00]: So, until next time, be thoughtful, be wise, and be strategic, and remember, crossroads reveal who you are, catalysts shape who you become, every decision matters, so make it count.
14:15.056 --> 14:16.238
[SPEAKER_00]: I'll talk to you next week.
00:00.537 --> 00:07.468
[SPEAKER_00]: A year ago, I had record on a podcast that asked one simple question, what do you do when leadership puts you at a crossroads?
00:08.109 --> 00:17.624
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, today marks one year of crossroads in catalysts and I want to talk to you about what this journey has taught me and what I think will assist you as you continue on your journey.
00:18.044 --> 00:21.470
[SPEAKER_00]: Things about leadership, risk, and starting before you're ready.
00:21.990 --> 00:23.052
[SPEAKER_00]: So let's get into it.
00:25.546 --> 00:27.148
[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to Crossroads in Catalyst.
00:27.268 --> 00:28.589
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm your host, Shini to be.
00:28.609 --> 00:38.458
[SPEAKER_00]: This is where we explore how a thoughtful, wise, and strategic perspective at life's crossroads can become the catalyst for meaningful change in leadership in your life's direction.
00:39.459 --> 00:44.464
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, when I started this podcast, I had experienced my very own crossroads.
00:44.885 --> 00:46.186
[SPEAKER_00]: And it was not the first one.
00:46.246 --> 00:48.368
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'm sure that it won't be the last.
00:48.869 --> 00:54.574
[SPEAKER_00]: But what I realized is there are a lot of other people who are experiencing the same thing.
00:54.554 --> 00:59.083
[SPEAKER_00]: And how helpful might it be to share what my experiences were.
00:59.124 --> 01:06.599
[SPEAKER_00]: And maybe they could gain something and learn something and apply it to their situation and have a better outcome.
01:07.762 --> 01:10.808
[SPEAKER_00]: And because what I've learned over the years,
01:10.788 --> 01:20.441
[SPEAKER_00]: is you can't, you can't always predict what's going to happen, but you can do your best to prepare for it.
01:21.022 --> 01:33.218
[SPEAKER_00]: So before we jump into some of the lessons or even the things that were reinforced for me over the last year, I just want to say thank you for supporting my show by listening and following.
01:33.198 --> 01:49.300
[SPEAKER_00]: and giving and offering feedback because those things they they really do matter and if you haven't already make sure that you follow the show in Apple or Spotify or check out my website crossroads in catalyst.com so that you don't miss an episode.
01:49.583 --> 01:55.652
[SPEAKER_00]: So, you know that in life and leadership, things often look very easy from the outside looking in.
01:55.692 --> 02:07.390
[SPEAKER_00]: And we sometimes convince ourselves that we possess the skills to take on whatever it is that is before us, and we don't often realize how challenging those things might actually be.
02:08.365 --> 02:12.334
[SPEAKER_00]: and so you put that in the podcast in context, right?
02:13.297 --> 02:24.062
[SPEAKER_00]: There's something about doing a solo podcast that really surprised me and I didn't expect how much it would actually mirror leadership itself.
02:24.042 --> 02:34.485
[SPEAKER_00]: Solo podcasting and leadership, they have a lot more in common than what I realized because both can be very lonely and both can be extremely heavy.
02:35.327 --> 02:39.196
[SPEAKER_00]: And when you're the one behind the mic, every decision starts with you.
02:39.777 --> 02:42.844
[SPEAKER_00]: The topic, the message, the direction, the strategy,
02:42.824 --> 03:01.778
[SPEAKER_00]: And if it succeeds or fails, well, of course you already know who's going to be the one to take on that because that that was something that I determined that will not just that I determined it was going to fall on me and leadership it really does feel this way quite often.
03:01.758 --> 03:11.196
[SPEAKER_00]: because even when you have a team of people around you, you recognize the responsibility and you feel it and you know that the decision is up to you.
03:11.236 --> 03:24.542
[SPEAKER_00]: This is squarely placed on your shoulders and that can be very off-putting, right, which is why there are a lot of people who choose not to go down the leadership path because they don't want to deal with it.
03:25.113 --> 03:34.748
[SPEAKER_00]: So behind every episode, I mean, you got to know that there's the planning, the strategy, the execution, you have to measure what works, measure what didn't work.
03:34.808 --> 03:43.341
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to decide what to do differently next time, believe me when I tell you, it's like a full sea sweet thinking going on behind the mic.
03:43.321 --> 03:50.974
[SPEAKER_00]: So in order to deliver something that is useful, that is valuable, you have to think through these things, you have to plan for these things.
03:51.575 --> 03:56.342
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's not always easy because again, it's a solo podcast.
03:56.362 --> 03:59.187
[SPEAKER_00]: And so the more that I thought about it, the more that I realized,
03:59.167 --> 04:01.410
[SPEAKER_00]: This is exactly what leadership looked like.
04:02.071 --> 04:14.310
[SPEAKER_00]: And I've been a leader for quite some time, but in every role of leadership that I've had, it has brought something different to me and has caused me to stretch a little bit more than I had before.
04:14.671 --> 04:18.036
[SPEAKER_00]: And I do have an appreciation for that, so that's definitely not a complaint.
04:19.450 --> 04:27.823
[SPEAKER_00]: This podcast might sound like one voice behind a microphone, but behind the scenes is a CEO level exercise in leadership.
04:28.485 --> 04:44.310
[SPEAKER_00]: And that is just one other way to test your metal is to go for something that you have not done before, that you know really not anything about, except that there's a voice on the other end of the audio player that you're using to listen.
04:44.290 --> 04:51.180
[SPEAKER_00]: So, in many ways, this podcast has been its own crossroads for me and how what do I mean by that?
04:51.841 --> 04:53.384
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I've had to deal with doubt.
04:53.544 --> 05:01.115
[SPEAKER_00]: I've asked myself, what if this doesn't work or I'm even wondering if I'm really cut out to do something like this?
05:02.117 --> 05:04.160
[SPEAKER_00]: Question and whether it's even helping anybody.
05:04.680 --> 05:09.167
[SPEAKER_00]: Because when you're the only person on the mic,
05:09.147 --> 05:18.218
[SPEAKER_00]: and you don't have a co-host or someone on the screen to talk to, you're not getting that instant feedback, right?
05:19.199 --> 05:25.787
[SPEAKER_00]: And yet every episode has reinforced something that I believe for a long time, that leadership is actually vital.
05:26.708 --> 05:35.138
[SPEAKER_00]: It does matter, and I think that it is actually vital in the way that we carry out, carry it out, is extremely important.
05:36.265 --> 05:46.482
[SPEAKER_00]: the clarity that a leader brings or they don't bring, it matters and the way that they show up for their team matters.
05:47.825 --> 05:54.095
[SPEAKER_00]: You just cannot, in my opinion, you cannot underestimate the value that a good leader brings.
05:54.476 --> 06:01.648
[SPEAKER_00]: And so that's exactly why I think that these conversations are worth
06:02.725 --> 06:08.995
[SPEAKER_00]: There have been a lot of lessons that I've learned, but there have been a few that have definitely stood out to me.
06:09.176 --> 06:11.487
[SPEAKER_00]: And so those are the ones that I'm going to share with you today.
06:13.306 --> 06:22.939
[SPEAKER_00]: one of them is courage because looking back it's really interesting as some of my colleagues began to learn that I had a podcast.
06:23.700 --> 06:34.315
[SPEAKER_00]: I would hear some of them say well that's really courageous and I was a little dismissive not toward them but of the thought that it would be courageous for me to start a podcast.
06:35.436 --> 06:38.841
[SPEAKER_00]: But as I continue to hear that
06:40.137 --> 06:56.509
[SPEAKER_00]: It made me realize I am doing something new and it's challenging and I don't know what's going to happen on the other side, that that is a different level of courageousness that
06:56.489 --> 07:15.079
[SPEAKER_00]: I didn't even really think applied to me, but I guess that there is something courageous about doing something new and different, and especially in a leadership context where you're working and you're going to, you're going to meetings with people who know what you do, who knows what they think or don't think, right?
07:16.321 --> 07:22.952
[SPEAKER_00]: So then the second lesson that I learned was
07:24.417 --> 07:35.992
[SPEAKER_00]: I have to be honest with myself for sure, because I had heard that most people when they started podcast, they don't make it past the first 70 or 10 episodes.
07:36.893 --> 07:40.778
[SPEAKER_00]: So when you recognize that that is the case, it's not very encouraging.
07:41.399 --> 07:50.391
[SPEAKER_00]: So you have to know that you are going in it to win it, despite what you've seen, regardless of the stats.
07:50.928 --> 07:57.060
[SPEAKER_00]: that you have to stick with it and creating something consistently, it definitely requires more than enthusiasm.
07:57.601 --> 08:06.878
[SPEAKER_00]: It requires an ability to keep going even when the excitement wears off and the work remains, because believe me, there's plenty of work that goes into...
08:06.858 --> 08:09.222
[SPEAKER_00]: putting on a podcast.
08:09.242 --> 08:16.214
[SPEAKER_00]: And again, this is so much aligned with leadership and what leadership requires.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So it was just continually reinforcing what I had learned through my experiences in leadership all these years.
08:26.973 --> 08:29.457
[SPEAKER_00]: So the third lesson that I learned was conviction.
08:30.803 --> 08:53.740
[SPEAKER_00]: And at some point, you have to stop worrying about what other people might think and decide what the work itself means to you and recognize that it matters to you because when you have the conviction about what you're building or even saying the outside noise is going to eventually die down because you're not even going to notice it it's only going to be white noise for you and.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In my opinion, that's a good thing.
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[SPEAKER_00]: You want to learn to tune in to those things that you need to hear and learn to tune out those things that you don't need to hear, right?
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[SPEAKER_00]: So the fourth lesson that I learned or not necessarily learned I would probably be better stated to say that was reinforced for me is self belief.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And what do I mean by that?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well over over this last year, this podcast has really helped me to realize that my voice and my experiences
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[SPEAKER_00]: the things that I've seen and learned in leadership.
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[SPEAKER_00]: These are not just stories.
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[SPEAKER_00]: These are lessons that can actually help someone else.
09:47.051 --> 09:53.983
[SPEAKER_00]: And in my estimation, that is of so much value and it's a blessing
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[SPEAKER_00]: that there are people out there who not only are interested, but they have a desire to know what my experiences were, how I work through it, so that they could see themselves in those situations and figure out how they can proceed and move forward in their own way.
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[SPEAKER_00]: It took me a while to fully acknowledge that, but I would say that somewhere along the way, I really did begin to understand that sharing those experiences.
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[SPEAKER_00]: That's exactly the point.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so again, like I said, there were many things that I learned, but this last year has just been one of those things where I've been stretched.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I've had to recommit to doing some things.
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[SPEAKER_00]: you're not always sure that what you're saying, what you're doing is working.
10:50.466 --> 11:01.701
[SPEAKER_00]: So what that means is that you have to pursue other means to get information and insight that will help you to decide if you need to pivot or if you need to stay the course.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Neither of which is right or wrong, but you have to understand what it is that's going on
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[SPEAKER_00]: The reason that I started this podcast was again, because I wanted to share my experiences because of where I was and what I had encountered and I wanted to be helpful.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I think that it has been and I certainly appreciate that you have stuck around to glean something
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[SPEAKER_00]: to apply to your own life.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so looking ahead, this next year, it's going to get even better because my plan is that I'm going to be doing more speaking.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So if you're looking for someone to talk about leadership or decision making or navigating some of those pivotal moments, then let's let's get together.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Let's talk about it.
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[SPEAKER_00]: You can go to my website crossroads and
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[SPEAKER_00]: and contact me there, okay?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And one of the things that I am definitely looking forward to doing is hosting leadership events.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Because I want us to really get deeper into some of these conversations.
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[SPEAKER_00]: so that we can continue to elevate because that's what we're trying to do.
12:35.506 --> 12:43.320
[SPEAKER_00]: And of course, I'm going to continue to refine my craft as a podcaster because there's always something for me to learn.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I have not reached the terminal point.
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[SPEAKER_00]: of podcasting and knowing everything to do and not to do and what to try.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So you're going to continue to go through this journey with me and this is going to be a good thing.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So if you want to help to grow the show, I do want to hear from you.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Your feedback is important.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I want you to tell me what kind of challenges that you're facing and what kind of topics that you would like to hear about on the podcast.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So you also go to the website.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Crossroads in catalyst.com and hit the mic icon and leave a voicemail.
13:24.086 --> 13:25.328
[SPEAKER_00]: You don't even have to type anything.
13:25.348 --> 13:35.002
[SPEAKER_00]: You can leave a voicemail and let me know what it is that you think, what you want to hear and we can say connected that way and you can also sign up for my newsletter the catalyst.
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[SPEAKER_00]: You can do that at my website.
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[SPEAKER_00]: All of these links will be in the show notes.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So before I go, I just want to say again, that I appreciate that you have listened and whether this is your first episode or you've been here since the beginning, I really do appreciate that you have been a part of my journey and that you have allowed me to be a part of yours.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So, until next time, be thoughtful, be wise, and be strategic, and remember, crossroads reveal who you are, catalysts shape who you become, every decision matters, so make it count.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'll talk to you next week.