Have you ever had a work situation that took you to your knees and required your faith that everything was going to be okay? I have. In one of my roles, my boss told me that I wasn’t the right fit for the role and that I was going on the dreaded performance improvement plan or PIP for short. I was typically the person that was helping others improve their performance, not the employee that was told my performance wasn’t measuring up to expectations.

When my boss provided me that news, I felt like I left my body. I immediately felt fear. Questions like, “Am I going to be fired?” or “What do I do next if this doesn’t work out?” started swirling over my head like storm clouds.

The next year was a mad scramble to try to fit in the mold of what my boss wanted me to be while simultaneously looking for a better cultural fit in a new job. That time was fraught with fear and overworking. I didn’t even see another choice – that I could have softened into surrender.

My guest today, Dr. Shawnte Elbert, has faced her fair share of career struggles, but unlike my position of overdriving, Shawnte learned a concept that I love: inhale faith, exhale fear. In today’s podcast, Shawnte gives me a beautiful masterclass in letting go of the need to control and leaning on something much greater: our faith. 

Before we get started, let me share more about Shawnte:

Dr. Shawnté Elbert, EdD, MCHES, CWHC, is the founder and CEO of Elbert Innovative Dr. Shawnté Elbert is a nationally recognized leader in public health, health equity, and mental healthcare innovation. She is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Elbert Innovative Solutions (EIS), advising organizations on equity-driven leadership, workforce development, and systems change.

Dr. Elbert is also the Regional Director and Director of Training and Development at Growth & Empowerment Mental Healthcare Services, LLC (G&E). She oversees comprehensive training for clinical and non-clinical staff and ensures that mental healthcare services are effective, culturally responsive, and equity-centered.

 She is also a co-founder of Sister WELLS Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, PLLC, alongside Dr. Charla Blumell and Dr. Sherrá Watkins. Sister WELLS is a collective of experienced wellness and leadership professionals dedicated to leadership development, holistic wellness, and guiding individuals toward authentic transformation. Rooted in their shared sisterhood and passion for equity-driven change, the practice brings a unique and deeply personal approach to leadership and well-being.