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, maintain integrity in the face of ethical dilemmas, and cultivate self-awareness to become more effective leaders.

In this episode:

• "Ice cream diplomacy" for breaking down barriers and fostering team connection
• How Ambassador Gilchrist grounds his leadership style in his values
• Leading with empathy and maintaining resilience in challenging or
• Ways staff and leaders can address toxic work environments
• Why self-awareness and humility are crucial for effective leadership

Watch this episode on YouTube

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We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

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Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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.

Learn more and get your ticket!

In this bonus episode we discuss the importance of self-belief, overcoming limitations, and embracing your true potential. And we share highlights of our May 31 event. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

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We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

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Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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 the next generation of talent, rather than hoarding opportunities.

In this episode:

• When taking a risk on people failed, and when it worked better than expected
• Trusting your instincts and having uncomfortable conversations
• Discerning whether someone lacks motivation or needs more challenge
• Seeing potential in others and creating an environment where they can thrive

Join the “Shoot Your Shot” Challenge!

We challenge you to get a little uncomfortable, take inspired action, and ask for what you want! It's time to "shoot your shot" with a community of support!
Sign up to get the pledge sheet and links to the playlists at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/challenge

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 Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Get your FREE copy of our Strategic Change Workbook

Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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 identify their strengths as leaders.

Join the “Shoot Your Shot” Challenge!

We challenge you to get a little uncomfortable, take inspired action, and ask for what you want! It's time to "shoot your shot" with a community of support!
Sign up to get the pledge sheet and links to the playlists at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/challenge

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 Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Get your FREE copy of our Strategic Change Workbook

Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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 goals today.

They encourage you to identify one area in your professional life where you need to ask for what you want – and to do it in the next 30 days. Like Dion Sanders says: You've gotta keep making plays!

And to support you in this challenge, Belinda and Shelby have created a pledge sheet and a hype music playlist!

In this episode:

• Belinda and Shelby sharing their progress after their previous coaching session
• Belinda shares some of the results of asking for what she wants in her business
• Shelby reflects on her confident "unconstrained self" and aims to bring that energy to her current goals
• Belinda and Shelby challenge listeners to identify one area for self-advocacy in the next 30 days

Take action!

• Download the challenge pledge sheet
• Listen to the Spirit-Led and Bold playlist
• Listen to the Big Energy, Bold Moves playlist

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 Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Get your FREE copy of our Strategic Change Workbook

Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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 good
• Adapting your management style to meet the moment
• Challenging times are when you build your leadership skills
• Staying focused on the mission rather than getting caught up in "what-if" scenarios

Support the podcast:

• If you enjoyed this episode, then subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast so you’ll know when we drop a new episode.
• Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts; it can help us reach more listeners!
• We encourage you to watch us on YouTube, where you can also leave your comments or suggestions for future topics.

Send us a comment!

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
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Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Get your FREE copy of our Strategic Change Workbook

Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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 established channels. Shelby coaches Belinda to consider a different approach.

Shelby shares her challenges in launching a coaching business, including imposter syndrome and self-doubt amidst a competitive market. Belinda nudges Shelby to think bigger and to focus on her ideal client, rather than on perceived constraints.

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 Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Get your FREE copy of our Strategic Change Workbook

Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com

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 "power with" rather than "power over."

Belinda and Shelby offer insights into their own experiences with career uncertainty. They encourage listeners to lean into their communities and to approach this time with a mindset of exploration rather than fear. This conversation serves as a reminder that unexpected changes can lead to profound personal and professional transformation, if you approach them with curiosity and honesty.

In this episode:

• Letting go of preconceived notions about your career path
• Embracing flexibility and being open to exploring new possibilities
• Redefining power not as “power over” but as "power with"
• Recognizing that life has peaks and valleys – and how to take advantage of the valleys
• The importance of self-reflection, and learning to listen to the signs that life provides.

Where to find Cathy:

• Instagram: @BermudaCat
• LinkedIn: Catherine R Duffy

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Oxford Next Horizons program
• Mel Robbins' book, "The Let Them Theory"
• Heather McGee’s book, "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together”

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 Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Get your FREE copy of our Strategic Change Workbook

Learn more about us at stirringsuccess.com