Leadership Tea

This episode is about calculated risks and proactive steps towards your goals. Inspired by their previous coaching session, Belinda and Shelby challenge you to take action and step out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals.  Belinda talks about asking for what she wants for her business and notes the positive outcomes and valuable data she's gained. Shelby reflects on her "unconstra...

This episode is dedicated to middle managers, who face unique pressures in the "messy middle" between upper management's demands and their teams' needs.  Shelby and Belinda know from personal experience that being a middle manager is tough. Drawing from their own experiences, they offer practical advice on navigating the messy middle. In this episode: Balancing support for your...

Belinda and Shelby turn the tables and engage in a coaching session with each other. They open up about their professional challenges and discuss strategies for navigating roadblocks and pursuing entrepreneurial goals, providing listeners with insights and actionable advice.  Belinda discusses her frustrations with closed professional circles, where connections seem to weigh more than competence....

How can you transform unexpected career changes into opportunities for reinvention and personal growth? With returning guest Cathy Duffy, Belinda and Shelby talk about how to respond to forced career pivots, a reality many professionals are facing right now.  Cathy shares her story of a forced "early retirement" and how she used this pivot to pursue her interests, including studying at O...

Belinda and Shelby address how leaders can navigate the current climate of fear. They emphasize the importance of grounding yourself in your core values, maintaining personal integrity, and fostering a culture of empathy and love.  The conversation highlights the crucial role of community support. They stress that this process is a marathon, not a sprint, and that consistent self-reflection and ad...

As they celebrate the first anniversary of the Leadership Tea Podcast, Shelby and Belinda reflect on their responses to and offer practical advice for navigating the current challenging political climate.  Acknowledging the emotional weight of current events, they share personal lessons learned over the past year, focusing on resilience strategies and coping mechanisms. They discuss their struggle...

Shelby and Belinda explore Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's lasting impact and his advocacy for community building.  We challenge you to integrate Dr. King's principles of humility and service into your everyday interactions. And on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's turn reflection into action by giving back to our communities.  Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes...

Is your work week defined more by dread rather than by excitement and purpose? Belinda and Shelby examine strategies for creating a more balanced and intentional life, focusing on the power of rest, self-reflection, and strategic decluttering.  Addressing the common experience of "Sunday scaries," we challenge the notion that merely surviving the workweek is an acceptable norm. We offer...

Shelby and Belinda discuss the idea of selecting three words to guide our intentions for 2025. We share our chosen words and discuss strategies for embodying and implementing them throughout the year. In this episode: • Our three words for 2025 • Using visual reminders to keep our words top of mind  • Dynamic planning and adjusting goals  • Accountability tips to stay on track  Send us a comment!...

Navigating uncertainty requires strong team communication and personal well-being. Today, Belinda and Shelby explore strategies for leading through turbulent times, focusing on acceptance and radical honesty.  We discuss how overcommunication within your teams helps maintain trust and clarity during turbulent times. We can only effectively lead our teams when we are grounded, so emotional regulati...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with entrepreneur and coach Heather A. Kollar as we unlock the secrets to building strong and meaningful business relationships. Heather shares her incredible journey, highlighting the crucial roles of integrity, character, and skill in successful partnerships. We explore her strategies for over-delivering to clients and maintaining a quality-driven mindset wh...

Imagine facing an unexpected shift in your career trajectory just as you reached the peak of your success. Our conversation aims to equip you with strategies to embrace resilience and clarity, even amid uncertainty. We discuss the non-linear path of grief and the critical need for community and therapeutic support during such times.  We encourage you to reimagine your future beyond the confines of...

Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal joins us for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and navigating life's adversities. Her story offers a window into her resilient mindset and risk-taking approach, illustrating how history and upbringing can shape one's leadership style. Ambassador Brazeal shares best practices from her adventures in the diplomatic arena. Her stories illustrate...

How can you keep team morale high when the people above you can't see eye to eye? Managing from the middle can feel like walking a tightrope when you're caught in the crossfire of clashing bosses. Drawing from our personal experiences, Belinda and Shelby reveal the art of leading small teams while gracefully managing upwards.  We explore the power of emotional intelligence in turning a c...

What if the key to successful leadership is knowing when to say no? Join us as we uncover strategic problem-solving and leadership secrets with Kendra Gaither. This episode promises to equip you with strategies for balancing team success with well-being, focusing on essential tasks, and staying aligned with your team's North Star, even when unexpected opportunities knock on your door. Kendra...

Being a leader means managing the emotional stress that comes with striving for excellence amidst external criticism. Belinda and Shelby discuss real-world challenges that leaders face, from microaggressions to the relentless pressures to lead new initiatives. Through personal stories and practical advice, we share how to preserve your mental energy, pick your battles wisely, and ensure your respo...

Leadership is not just about strategy and performance; it's about people. What if self-awareness could be your secret weapon in effective leadership? Accomplished leader Nichole Gladden McCall shares her insights on leading with authenticity and empathy.  Nichole opens up about the importance of self-awareness, detailing her daily practice of self-check-ins. She shares actionable strategies f...

Curious about how to lead with a startup mindset in any sector, including government or private industry? In this episode, Belinda and Shelby break down how agility and creativity can help you when embarking on new projects or building teams.  If you're struggling with mission creep or feeling overwhelmed by tasks, we’ve got you covered. We discuss how to set goals for the year ahead and main...

Belinda and Shelby share our favorite moments and quotes from season 1 of the podcast. Belinda recounts Perlita's insights on the unsustainability of  fight-or-flight leadership. Shelby reflects on our conversation with Emily Haber, focusing on leading with vulnerability.  As we take a brief hiatus to plan for the next season, we'll stay active on Instagram and our email updates. The mos...

What happens when a seasoned diplomat becomes an entrepreneur? From an emotional farewell to the State Department to entering the private sector and entrepreneurship, Belinda's story is a testament to the possibilities of embracing change. Belinda discusses bravely letting go of what no longer served her and how redefining her boundaries led to a new sense of empowerment. Belinda leveraged he...

How can you build a team that thrives on creativity and curiosity? Our guest Erika Bennett, founder and CEO of Conscious Culture Creative, does just that. Her unique leadership style fosters deep relationships and creates an environment where curiosity is valued. Erika shares how nurturing diverse talents can lead to substantial growth for everyone on the team. Erika reflects on her rise from inte...

Ever wondered how power couples juggle careers while keeping their families grounded? Shelby and Belinda share our secrets to balancing demanding jobs and family obligations. We bring our spouses into the mix, revealing how communication, adaptability, and mutual support help us manage it all.  We liken marriage to a relay race, where the baton is passed to whoever is best positioned to move forwa...

Could adversity be your greatest growth opportunity? Belinda and Shelby share insights from our experiences during the pandemic and beyond. We discuss how pausing to reflect before making decisions can and how small but intentional actions within your sphere of influence can foster stability during crises.  We also highlight the importance of self-care, including having a therapist and a leadershi...

Belinda and Shelby celebrate Father's Day with a discussion with our dads. From transitioning careers to overcoming humble beginnings, we share the stories of these incredible men and their profound impact on our lives. Is leadership something you're born with, or is it a practical skill that can be cultivated over time? Our dads share their journeys, with twists and turns that required...

What if leadership was less about authority and more about generosity, empathy, and kindness? In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Debernee Privott, a distinguished professor and community leader. The principles of understanding, sacrifice, and inclusivity, instilled in her by her supportive family, have shaped Dr. Privott's leadership style. Her faith and values guide...