Welcome to Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy for Directors and Managers!
Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast
Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast
Leadership gets more complicated the higher you go—and too often, you're expected to figure it out as you go. Crossroads & Catalysts is a leadership podcast for managers, directors, emerging leaders, and experienced professionals who want practical strategies for becoming more effective and thoughtful leaders. Hosted by Shenita Brown, financial executive, leadership strategist, and speaker, each episode tackles the challenges that come with actually leading people: difficult conversations, accountability, team performance, communication, decision-making, executive presence, managing up, leading through change, and the transition from individual contributor to leader. But great leadership isn't only about how you manage others. It's also about how you manage yourself. That's why we explore the judgment, self-awareness, discipline, courage, and strategic thinking required to lead well—especially when the answer isn't obvious. You'll hear practical leadership advice, real-world experiences, and perspectives designed to help you think more critically about how you lead and what you can do differently. Whether you're a new manager learning how to lead a team, a director preparing for executive leadership, or an experienced leader sharpening your skills, you'll find conversations here that meet you where you are—and challenge you to keep growing. Because becoming a better leader isn't a destination. It's a practice. New episodes every week.
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Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast

This is a podcast for professionals at a career crossroads - whether you're looking at entering entrepreneurship, feeling stuck in a job that no longer serves you, or navigating leadership changes that leave you questioning your next move. Each episode explores the real challenges behind these momen...

Recent Episodes

78
Aug. 24, 2026

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 coa
77
Aug. 17, 2026

Difficult Conversations at Work: What Good Leaders Do Differently

Difficult conversations at work are an unavoidable part of leadership. Whether you're addressing employee performance, giving feedback, reinforcing accountability, or confronting missed expectations, how you handle uncomfortable conversations can shape your team's trust, performance, and culture. In this episode, we're moving beyond the theory of leadership and into the practice of it. I'll share real examples from my own leadership experience and explore why avoiding a difficult conversation r
76
Aug. 10, 2026

Why Great Employees Don't Always Become Great Leaders (And How to Make the Shift)

Are you a new leader or first-time manager wondering why leadership feels harder than you expected? Transitioning from an individual contributor to a leader requires more than making decisions and sitting in meetings—it demands a new leadership mindset. If you've recently been promoted to manager or are preparing for a leadership role, this episode will help you understand why the strengths that earned your promotion aren't necessarily the strengths your new role requires most. Many new leaders
75
Aug. 3, 2026

Want More Opportunities at Work? Become More Visible

Why does visibility matter at work? If you're doing great work but still feel overlooked for promotions, leadership opportunities, or high-impact projects, visibility may be the missing piece. In this episode, we'll discuss why visibility isn't self-promotion—it's an essential leadership skill that helps others recognize your value, your thinking, and your potential. Many professionals believe that if they simply work hard, their results will speak for themselves. While great work builds credib
74
July 27, 2026

Why You're Still Waiting to Be Chosen (And How to Stop)

Have you ever felt like you're waiting for someone to recognize your potential, offer you an opportunity, or finally choose you? In this episode, we're exploring why so many capable women wait for permission to move forward—and how confidence, leadership, and personal growth begin when you stop waiting and start choosing your next step. Whether you're waiting for a promotion, putting off a career change, delaying a difficult conversation, or holding back on a dream you've been carrying for year
73
July 20, 2026

What Executive Presence Really Is (And Why It Matters)

Executive presence is one of the most talked-about leadership skills—but what does it actually mean? If you've ever wondered how to develop executive presence, increase your influence at work, or be seen as a leader before receiving the title, this episode is for you. In this episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're moving beyond confidence and into the external behaviors that shape how others experience your leadership. You'll discover why executive presence isn't about charisma or perfection—

Reviews

Excellent

"Shenita shares heartfelt advice on great topics. I especially loved the Right View of Work episode. It truly hit home for me and moved me to tears realizing I had a poor attitude about work. Her C…"

So Cal girl in OKC | May 9, 2025

Great Podcast!

"I truly enjoyed listening to your podcast. It was very insightful and I was intrigued by so much that you spoke on that it is too much to write lol. When you said, “The better you know yourself you c…"

Lashun Whitehead | Sept. 7, 2025
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