Belinda and Shelby introduce this oldie-but-goodie by catching you up on what we're doing this summer. And in the episode, we talk about how to master the first 90 days in your new role, as you transition from colleague to commander. How can you build trust and credibility when transitioning to a new leadership position? discuss strategies that have worked for us as we've navigated change management, tough conversations, financial restraints, and the dynamics of managing former pe...

Are you navigating a career pivot or a layoff? It’s not uncommon these days. If you’re looking ahead to what’s next, Shelby and Belinda want to remind you that times have changed, so what worked for you before won't necessarily get you where you want to go. In other words, the tools and mindset that brought you success in the past might need a serious overhaul. Whether you're facing a forced career pivot, adapting to a restructured team, or aspiring to higher levels of leadership, this ...

Recent high school grad Viola Wilson speaks with Shelby (her mom) and Belinda to share a fresh perspective on what leadership means to her. Viola speaks fluent Spanish and had lived in four countries by the time she was 9 years old. She graduated from high school with honors, earning a 4.3 GPA while excelling in varsity swim, varsity track and field, swimming on a year-round travel swim team, doing extra-curricular activities, community service, and working part-time as a lifeguard. Sh...

Belinda and Shelby acknowledge the current speed of change and wild news cycle, and the emotional toll that it can take. They share practical steps they are taking to prevent crashing out and to improve their well-being. They emphasize that while awareness of external events is important, protecting your inner peace and mental health is paramount to effectively show up for yourself and your teams. Embracing intentional self-care and a future-focused outlook can help you stay sane and le...

Belinda and Shelby welcome a distinguished former diplomat and senior leader, Ambassador Robert Gilchrist (Ret.). He shares insights from a career spent navigating complex global challenges, from leading teams under intense pressure in Iraq to advocating for democracy and human rights in Eastern Europe. Hear how he stays grounded in his values, including his Quaker faith and his commitment to civil rights. He offers advice for leaders at every level on how to address toxic environments,...

Join Shelby and Belinda on May 31 for our first ever live virtual event: “Shoot Your Shot LIVE: A Celebration & Strategy Session to Keep You Bold.” We’re wrapping up our month-long challenge with a celebration of YOU, our listeners, who dared to ask for what they want. Expect real talk, live coaching, audience celebrations, strategy sharing, and soul-nourishing tea. We’re creating space to keep the momentum going and help you step boldly into your next season of leadership and power...

Belinda and Shelby continue their "Shoot Your Shot" series by exploring the role of risk management when empowering others. They discuss situations when they’ve given team members opportunities to shine, both when it’s led to success and when it has failed. They also share personal stories of how others took a chance on them. This episode highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, motivation, and trust in identifying when to empower others. Know that leadership involves nurturing th...

What are some of the core qualities that differentiate exceptional leaders? And what strengths do you bring to your leadership role? From staying calm under pressure to leading with empathy, understanding your leadership genius is key to thriving at the executive level. Belinda and Shelby discuss the idea of a leadership zone of genius, whether it's innate or developed through personal experiences. They discuss how early life experiences have impacted their leadership skills and identif...

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 "unconstrained self" from her boarding school days, aiming to bring that same bold and audacious energy to her g...

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 team with helping your boss look goodAdapting your management style to meet the momentChallenging times are wh...

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. She wants immediate progress but may be held back by an ingrained habit of using only establ...

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 Oxford University. Cathy underscores the value of flexibility, self-awareness, and redefining power as ...

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 adherence to personal principles are vital for long-term success. In this episode: Fear ...

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 struggles and triumphs, while emphasizing the importance of self-care, boundary setting, and letting...

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! We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Watch the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on Instagr...

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 practical approaches for cultivating a fulfilling professional life, pivoting from a career that no lo...

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! We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea ...

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 regulation is essential at this time. Send us a comment! We publish new episodes every other ...

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 while also stepping out of her comfort zone to become a center of influence. Discover how Heather’s...

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 previous roles and to let go of any hubris that might hold you back. Hiring the right coac...