Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy for Directors and Managers

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 identity shifts, we discuss the unique disadvantages circumstantial leaders face—and the hidden strengths they bring.Whether you're questioning your leadership role, feeling drained by responsibilities you didn't seek, or wondering if management is right for you, this episode offers clarity and actionable choices to move forward with confidence.Perfect for new managers, accidental leaders, team leads, and anyone reconsidering their leadership journey.Download your free Leader Self-Audit at crossroadsandcatalysts.com to assess where you are and what you truly want from your leadership role.Have a topic you want to hear? Submit it for the Crossroads Spotlight.Leadership Behaviors Worth Leaving Behind, free download.Buy Me A Coffee Get weekly insights and actionable strategies delivered to your inbox: The CatalystSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

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 leadership clarity and growth.As we head into the new year, these are the behaviors to leave behind. Discover which leadership blind spots might be holding you back and get actionable insights for becoming the leader your team needs—and the leader you want to be.Download the full list of bad boss behaviors to leave behind. Get weekly insights with actionable steps to incorporate to be a great leader. Sign-up for The CatalystHelpful episodes to help you on your leadership journey:Skills Gap AssessmentWhy Your Team Isn't A High Performing OneWhy Your Feedback Keeps Getting IgnoredLike the show and want to show appreciation? Buy me a coffee.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

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-life balance is impossible. And in an era where loyalty is often rewarded with a pink slip, the only person guaranteed to care about your wellbeing is you.Self-care for leaders isn't optional—it's what makes sustainable leadership possible. If your company can't survive you taking time off, that's their business model problem—not your vacation problem. It's time to set some boundaries and stop confusing martyrdom with executive leadership.Perfect for: managers, directors, executives, and leaders at any level who are running on empty and ready for real leadership development that starts with taking care of themselves.Your team doesn't need a cautionary tale. They need a well-rested, recharged leader. Ready to stop paying the tax? Listen now.Want short, yet thought-provoking tips on a weekly basis? Sign up for The CatalystThe Prickly Rose Soap Co use discount code CATALYST10. Good from 12/22/25 - 1/20/26.Connect with me on LinkedInHave a topic you want to hear? Submit it here: Crossroads Spotlight Buy Me A CoffeeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

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 leadership actually look like? Are you prepared for the reality? What vision do you have for yourself? Use this episode as a guide to reflect deeply on your leadership aspirations before stepping into your next role. Essential listening for anyone at a career crossroads, aspiring leaders ready to get honest with themselves, and professionals wondering if leadership is truly their calling.Want this episode along with insights delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for The Catalyst.Ask yourself these thought-provoking questions as you determine where you're headed: Leader Self-Audit Check out my website Crossroadsandcatalysts.com Appreciate the insight I provide? Buy Me a Coffee Follow me:LinkedInSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

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 high-stakes environments—from preventing critical mistakes to unlocking innovation—and why every workplace needs the same level of clarity, trust, and open dialogue to thrive. Perfect for: managers, team leaders, executives, HR professionals, healthcare leaders, and anyone looking to build stronger, more open workplace cultures. Sign-up for The Catalyst to get weekly insights and episodes directly to your inbox. Got some feedback or a story you'd like to highlight? Let me know for the Crossroads Spotlight. Follow me on LinkedInSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

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 real reason leaders delay improvements, how clinging to outdated processes damages your leadership credibility, and what happens when protecting your identity becomes more important than solving problems. Learn to recognize when you're defending processes because they're yours not because they're best, why your team stops bringing solutions when you keep stalling, and how building confidence to embrace better ideas strengthens your leadership development. Perfect for managers transitioning to leadership roles, directors caught between ego and effectiveness, and leaders who want to improve their decision-making and self-awareness about change resistance. Get actionable strategies for accepting change without feeling like a failure, developing the maturity to recognize good ideas regardless of source, and building team management skills that encourage innovation. Stop letting ego cost you credibility—embrace change to become a stronger leader. Sign up to for The Catalyst to receive weekly insights and podcast episodes directly to your email. Got feedback or podcast topic ideas? Submit it here: Crossroads SpotlightSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

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 how you're leading them. In this executive brief, discover why talented teams underperform, the five critical gaps between good teams and high-performing teams, and what managers must do to transform capable individuals into cohesive, results-driven units. Learn why psychological safety matters more than talent, how unclear expectations undermine management skills and team performance, why timely feedback separates mediocre teams from exceptional ones, and how building confidence to give your team real autonomy creates breakthrough results.Perfect for managers transitioning to leadership roles who inherited capable teams that aren't performing, directors struggling with team cohesion despite individual talent, and leaders who want to strengthen their leadership development and professional reputation through demonstrable team success. Get actionable leadership training on creating the conditions for high performance, developing self-awareness about your role in team dysfunction, and mastering the decision-making frameworks that help managers build teams that actually deliver. Stop hoping your talented people will figure it out—learn the leadership skills that turn capability into performance and advance your career through team results.Share your story or feedback: Crossroads SpotlightWant episodes delivered to your inbox along with insight and actionable solutions? Sign up for The Catalyst.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Are you using authenticity as an excuse for unprofessional behavior? For managers and leaders building leadership skills and executive presence, understanding the difference between authentic leadership and unprofessional conduct is critical for career advancement and leadership development. Authenticity has become the workplace buzzword everyone loves—until someone uses it to justify rudeness, emotional dumping, or lack of professional boundaries. In this executive brief, discover why authenticity without professionalism destroys leadership credibility, how managers can be genuine while maintaining professional standards, and what effective leadership communication looks like when you're being authentic without being inappropriate. Learn the self-awareness practices that help leaders recognize when "being real" crosses into unprofessional territory, why emotional regulation is an essential leadership skill not personal suppression, and how building confidence in authentic professionalism separates respected leaders from those who hide behind "this is just who I am." Perfect for managers transitioning to leadership roles who struggle with being genuine while establishing authority, directors navigating workplace culture and team management, and leaders who want to strengthen their professional development through better decision-making about workplace behavior. Get actionable leadership training on distinguishing authentic leadership from lack of boundaries, developing management skills that balance transparency with professionalism, and creating team culture where people can be genuine without being unprofessional. Master the leadership competencies that show you can be trusted, consistent, and authentic—all at the same time. Want weekly insights and encouragement to take action? Sign up for The Catalyst to get the latest episodes sent directly to your inbox plus things to consider for your leadership and career journey.Share your crossroads for The Crossroads Spotlight segment.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Is your workplace culture deteriorating and destroying team performance? Toxic workplace environments kill productivity, drive away top talent, and damage leadership credibility. For managers navigating toxic culture and building leadership skills in difficult environments, knowing how to recognize and address workplace toxicity is essential for career advancement. In this executive brief, discover the five warning signs your workplace has gone toxic, why fear-based decision-making and high turnover signal deeper leadership challenges, and what managers can actually do to protect their teams. Learn when gossip replaces effective communication, how normalized burnout undermines management skills, and why leaders who tolerate bad behavior destroy psychological safety. Perfect for managers transitioning to leadership roles, directors caught between toxic senior leadership and suffering teams, and executives who want to strengthen their leadership development and team management. Get actionable leadership training on creating safety for your team, developing self-awareness about your role in culture, and building confidence to advocate strategically. Master the leadership skills and decision-making frameworks that help managers protect their teams, maintain integrity, and make critical career decisions when staying becomes more costly than leaving.Submit your Crossroad here.Get weekly insights The Catalyst.Be sure to follow and share!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

You've given the same feedback three times, and nothing's changed. The problem isn't your team—it's your feedback. In this executive brief, discover the proven framework for giving feedback that actually drives behavior change, why most leadership feedback fails, and how to communicate with clarity that sticks. Learn the specific communication techniques that separate effective leaders from those stuck repeating the same conversations, the critical mistakes that undermine your feedback, and a step-by-step process for delivering feedback that gets results. Perfect for managers and directors who want to strengthen their leadership development, improve team management effectiveness, and build high-performing teams through strategic feedback. Get actionable leadership training on the SBI framework, how to check for understanding, collaborative problem-solving, and consistent follow-up that makes feedback actually work. Master this essential leadership communication skill and stop wasting time on feedback that doesn't change anything. Share your challenge or victory for the Crossroads Spotlight. Get email updates with behind the scenes footage and episode notifications. Ep. 27 Want to be a Leader? Cultivate Awareness, Accountability, and Resolve Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Why People Tune You Out When You Talk (And How to Fix It)Do people's eyes glaze over when you start talking? Are your team meetings running long because you can't communicate concisely? Long-winded communication is destroying your leadership credibility and executive presence faster than you realize. Concise communication isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's an essential leadership competency that separates effective leaders from those who ramble. In this executive brief, discover why effective communication requires brevity and clarity, the five practical strategies for distilling your message with confidence, and why over-explaining makes you sound unprepared rather than thorough. Learn the communication skills that build credibility, demonstrate self-awareness about your impact, and show the confidence of a strategic leader who values people's time. Perfect for managers and directors who want to strengthen their leadership development, improve team management effectiveness through clear communication, and advance to executive roles where concise communication matters more than volume. Get actionable leadership training on starting with your bottom line, using the "3 points rule" for clarity, eliminating filler words that undermine confidence, and developing the self-awareness to know when you're over-explaining. Master the management skills and communication techniques that separate strategic leaders from those who can't get to the point. Build the confidence to speak with authority and the self-awareness to know when less is more. Stop talking so much—start communicating with the leadership skills and executive presence that build credibility and advance careers.Enjoyed what you heard? Don't miss out on notices for future events and episodes: The CatalystShare your challenges for the Crossroads Spotlight and it may be featured on a future episode.Download the 4C Decision TreeShare your story: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Working hard as a leader but not getting the results or respect you deserve? Five internal enemies are quietly sabotaging your leadership effectiveness—and most leaders don't even realize they're losing the battle. In this executive brief, discover the five biggest threats to leadership success: indecisiveness, ego, ineffective communication, lack of awareness, and avoidance of conflict. Learn why these leadership mistakes destroy team trust and credibility, how to recognize which enemy is undermining your management skills, and practical leadership training strategies to defeat each one. Perfect for managers, directors, and executives who want to strengthen their leadership development, build high-performing teams, and accelerate career advancement by eliminating the patterns that keep good leaders from becoming great. Get actionable professional development frameworks for improving decision-making skills, communicating with clarity, developing self-awareness, managing ego, and addressing conflict head-on. Every leader battles these enemies—the difference is whether you have the leadership skills to defeat them.Share your challenges for the Crossroads Spotlight and it may be featured on a future episode.Enjoyed what you heard? Don't miss out on notices for future events and episodes: The CatalystEp. 27 Want to be a Leader? Cultivate Awareness, Accountability, and ResolveEp. 29 Why Leaders Avoid Conflict. And how it's hurting your career.Share your story: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Why You Keep Getting Passed Over: The Network Gap Tired of hearing "it's who you know" and feeling like you're at a disadvantage? Strategic networking isn't about luck, privilege, or being naturally social—it's a learnable leadership skill that everyday professionals can master. In this executive brief, discover how to build strategic professional relationships that accelerate career advancement and leadership development, even if you don't have "connections." Learn the three circles of strategic networking, how to identify exactly who you need to know to reach your next leadership role, and practical professional development strategies for building authentic relationships without brown-nosing or feeling manipulative. Perfect for directors, managers, and mid-career professionals who believe hard work should speak for itself but keep getting passed over while better-connected peers advance to leadership positions. Get actionable leadership training frameworks for identifying key decision-makers, building relationships before you need them, and developing the management skills that open doors to career growth opportunities. Stop leaving your career advancement to chance—learn the leadership skills to network your way to the next level with authenticity and intention. Share your challenges for the Crossroads Spotlight and it may be featured on a future episode. Want more info? Don't miss out on weekly leadership insights: The Catalysts 4C Decision Tree Share your story or send your questions to: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

The Terrifying Moment You Realize Everyone's Looking to You (And You're Not Ready) The moment you realize you're no longer seeking answers but expected to provide them changes everything. In this executive brief, discover how to navigate the psychological transition from team member to leader, manager to director, or director to executive. Learn why the weight of leadership feels heavier than the prestige of the title, and how to embrace responsibility without pretending you have all the answers. Explore the three common responses to leadership transitions—and why only one builds real credibility and trust with your team. Perfect for new managers, directors stepping into executive roles, and senior leaders facing increased responsibility. Get practical strategies for making tough decisions with confidence, building humble leadership presence, and carrying the burden of leadership without crumbling under pressure. If you're experiencing imposter syndrome in a new leadership role or struggling with the responsibility of being THE person your team depends on, this episode provides the mindset shifts and leadership framework you need to succeed. Share your challenges for the Crossroads Spotlight and it may be featured on a future episode. Want more insights? Get them weekly directly to your inbox: The Catalysts Ep. 12 The High Cost of Indecision Follow the show to get the latest episodes. Email your story or let me help you with your leadership strategy: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com Download your 4C Decision TreeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Passed Over for Promotion? The 3 Self-Advocacy Skills You're Missing Tired of being passed over for promotion while less qualified colleagues advance? The most talented leaders don't always get promoted—the most visible ones do. Self-advocacy isn't about bragging—it's an essential leadership skill that builds confidence and positions you for career advancement. In this executive brief, discover the three critical self-advocacy skills and leadership development strategies that separate leaders who get recognized from those who get overlooked. Learn how to own your wins with confidence, request strategic feedback that demonstrates self-awareness and positions you for growth, and pursue stretch opportunities that showcase your leadership skills and executive presence. Perfect for directors, senior managers, and ambitious professionals who want to strengthen their professional development and master self-advocacy techniques that actually work. Get practical leadership training frameworks for documenting your impact, communicating your value through effective management skills, and advancing your career with the confidence that comes from strategic self-advocacy. Develop the self-awareness to recognize your contributions, the skills to articulate your value clearly, and the confidence to advocate for yourself without apology. Stop waiting for recognition—master self-advocacy and get the promotion you deserve. Share your challenges for the Crossroads Spotlight and it may be featured on a future episode. Want more insights? Get them weekly directly to your inbox: The Catalyst Download the 4C Decision Tree to help you through your challenges. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Are you the friendly leader your team works around instead of with? Many directors and managers excel at building relationships but struggle with the operational side of leadership—making decisions, solving problems, and driving results. In this executive brief, discover why being likeable without being effective creates a career ceiling, the three critical gaps that separate relationship builders from complete leaders, and a strategic framework for developing your operational leadership skills. Learn how to transform from the nice boss everyone likes to the effective leader everyone respects and wants to follow. Perfect for managers and directors who want to combine strong relationships with strong execution to advance their leadership careers. Thanks for listening. Be sure to leave a review. Get weekly insights directly to your inbox: The Catalyst Share your challenges for the Crossroads Spotlight and it may be featured on a future episode. 4C Decision Tree Ep. 12 High Cost of Indecision Ep.16 How to be a More Engaged Leader Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Conflict avoidance is killing director and executive level careers, yet most leaders continue to dodge difficult conversations about performance issues and team problems. In this executive brief, discover why smart leaders avoid necessary conflicts, the hidden costs to your credibility and career advancement, and a strategic framework for addressing performance issues with confidence. Learn the three choices every leader faces when dealing with underperformers, plus immediate actions you can take in the next 48 hours to start managing performance like the executive you want to become. Perfect for directors, senior managers, and executives who want to build stronger teams and advance their leadership careers through decisive action. Grab the 4C Decision Tree to help you work through your specific situation. Get weekly insights directly to your email: The Catalyst Email your stories: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Burned Out But Can't Stop? Why You're Stuck in the Exhaustion Trap Are you exhausted but wearing it like a badge of honor? For managers and leaders building leadership skills while battling chronic burnout, recognizing when exhaustion becomes performance is critical for career advancement and professional survival. Burnout isn't just working too hard—it's a serious leadership credibility and career risk that destroys decision-making, undermines management skills, and signals you can't handle the next level. In this executive brief, discover the 5 warning signs you're performing burnout instead of recovering from it, why the martyrdom mindset keeps leaders trapped in exhaustion cycles, and how building confidence to set boundaries protects both your well-being and leadership development. Learn when exhaustion stops being dedication and starts being self-sabotage, why leaders who can't set boundaries don't get promoted, and how developing self-awareness about your relationship with overwork creates sustainable career growth. Perfect for managers transitioning to leadership roles who equate busyness with value, directors caught in toxic productivity culture, and leaders who want to strengthen their professional development without sacrificing their health. Get actionable leadership training on recognizing burnout patterns, setting strategic boundaries without guilt, and building the confidence to protect your capacity. Master the decision-making skills that help managers sustain long-term performance, maintain leadership credibility, and advance their careers without burning out. Ep. 18 Overwork Want more insights? Sign up for The Catalyst newsletter. Share your thoughts and stories: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com Contact licensed therapist Willie Guest Jr. 405-833-7639 or wguest@metrofamilytherapy.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Ready to advance your leadership career beyond the basics? This follow-up to one of our most popular leadership development episodes explores the three foundational traits every effective leader must master: awareness, accountability, and resolve. Learn how self-awareness helps you identify blind spots and see the bigger picture in complex situations, why accountability builds unshakeable trust with your team and superiors, and how resolve enables you to tackle difficult challenges and make tough decisions instead of avoiding conflict. Perfect for directors, managers, and emerging leaders who want to develop executive presence, strengthen their leadership skills, and advance to the next level with confidence. Get practical frameworks and actionable strategies you can implement immediately to become a more strategic, trusted, and decisive leader.Ep. 10 Want to be a Leader? Start HereEmail your stories to Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.comSupport me by Buying Me A Coffee. Want more insights? Sign up for The Catalyst newsletter to elevate your leadership while navigating crossroads.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations

Is consensus leadership destroying your team's productivity? While seeking agreement sounds collaborative, consensus decision-making often creates decision paralysis, accountability gaps, and lost momentum that undermine leadership effectiveness. In this executive brief, discover the hidden costs of consensus leadership and why overreliance on group agreement weakens your team management and decision-making skills. Learn when consensus actually works versus when it backfires and damages performance, why overemphasis on agreement can paralyze your leadership and erode credibility, and practical alternatives that balance team input with decisive action. Perfect for managers, directors, and executives who want to strengthen their leadership development, improve decision-making confidence, and build high-performing teams through strategic communication. Get actionable leadership training on making confident decisions faster, leading with clarity and self-awareness about when consensus helps versus hurts, and creating collaborative culture without getting stuck in endless debates. Master the management skills that separate decisive leaders from those trapped in consensus paralysis. Develop the confidence to make tough calls and the self-awareness to recognize when you're avoiding decisions instead of leading. Share your story: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.comWant more insights? Sign up for The Catalyst newsletter.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/crossroads-and-catalysts-leadership-and-career-podcast/donations