In this episode of Leadership and Learning with Dr. JBT, we dig into one of the trickiest skills for leaders to master: delegation.

Handing off tasks isn't enough. True delegation is about empowering people with clarity, structure, and trust. But as I learned the hard way, how we provide feedback after delegating can make or break the process.

I share a personal story about what one of my team members called my "seagull effect," swooping in on a project mid-flight, leaving untimely feedback, and flying away. It was a wake-up call that shifted how I approach delegation.

We'll unpack three key practices to avoid the seagull effect and delegate with impact:

1. Give Clear Direction Upfront – Define the "why," clarify expectations, and outline decision-making authority.

2. Agree on Checkpoints – Build intentional touchpoints that provide support without micromanaging.

3. Provide Confidence-Building Feedback – Refine work with encouragement that strengthens trust and ownership.

Key Takeaway: Great leaders don't swoop in to critique; they delegate with clarity, support, and feedback that empowers their teams to soar.

🎧 Listen in to learn how you can turn delegation into a tool for growth, not frustration.

In this episode of Leadership and Learning with Dr. JBT, we explore one of the most overlooked but critical parts of leadership: how to manage participation in meetings.

Too often, leaders walk away from meetings wondering:

• Why did only a few people speak?

• Were others disengaged?

• Did the louder voices dominate while others stayed silent?

Here's the truth: people want to participate. But not everyone knows how, and it's the leader's role to create the conditions where every voice can be heard.

In this episode, Dr. JBT breaks down four common reasons people don't participate in meetings:

1. The same person always talks first.

2. Some people need processing time before they're ready to share.

3. Others hesitate because they're not sure their ideas are "good enough."

4. Someone dominates the discussion and takes up all the oxygen in the room.

You'll hear practical strategies to address each of these barriers, from setting expectations and allowing silence, to modeling vulnerability, and even interrupting respectfully when necessary. Dr. JBT also speaks directly to the "offenders" in the room with simple reminders that can transform the way meetings run.

"What's one change I can make to draw out more voices in the room?"

In this episode of Leadership and Learning, I explore a challenge every leader faces: balancing the urgent demands of working in the business with the strategic responsibility of working on the business.

Too often, leaders get caught in "firefighter mode", constantly putting out emergencies, solving day-to-day problems, and reacting to what's right in front of them. While necessary at times, this approach can leave little space for vision, prevention, and long-term growth.

That's where the mindset of the fire marshal comes in. Instead of reacting to every blaze, the fire marshal anticipates risks, puts systems in place, and creates the conditions that reduce the number of fires in the first place.

In this conversation, I unpack how leaders can:

• Recognize when they're stuck in firefighting

• Create space to think strategically and proactively

• Build systems that prevent issues before they arise

• Lead their teams with a balance of responsiveness and foresight

Whether you're leading a team, a division, or an entire organization, learning when to be the firefighter and when to be the fire marshal can transform how you lead and how your organization thrives.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Alby Salsa, Founder & CEO of Raven Eye Consulting, we dive deeper into what it means to lead boldly in today's world of higher education and beyond.

Alby challenges us to embrace unconstrained thinking by breaking free from self-imposed limits and imagining what's truly possible when we remove the barriers we place on ourselves and our teams. He also unpacks the dangers of leading from the shadows, reminding us that effective leadership requires courage, visibility, and intentional presence.

We also discuss the importance of personal branding. Why putting yourself out there isn't just about self-promotion, but about owning your story, amplifying your values, and modeling authenticity for others.

Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this episode will push you to think bigger, step into the light, and lead with confidence.

Failing Fast, Putting People First, and Unlocking Hidden Strengths with Alby Salsa

In this episode of Leadership and Learning, I sit down with Alby Salsa, Founder and CEO of Raven Eye, and a thought leader in higher education enrollment and student success.

Alby brings more than 20 years of experience guiding institutions in building enrollment teams, designing large-scale student coaching programs, and strengthening retention. His leadership journey has included roles as Regional Vice President at InsideTrack, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Operations at Brandman University, and Senior Director of Enrollment and Retention at Blackboard. Today, through Raven Eye and his podcast Going the Distance, he continues to shape best practices that impact learners nationwide.

Our conversation explores:

• Failing Fast: Why speed and learning matter more than perfection.

• People First Leadership: Start with your people.

• Overcoming Self-Doubt: How to unlock what's already within you.

• The Row Team Analogy: What rowing teaches us about team placement, alignment, and the difference between winning and losing.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating higher education, or simply seeking ways to bring out the best in people, Alby's insights will challenge and inspire you.

🔗 Listen now and join the conversation on how we can lead with care, confidence, and strategy.

In this episode of Leadership and Learning with Dr. JBT, I sit down with Tyler Maskiewicz, a leader who thrives in a matrix structure where influence, collaboration, and vision are essential. Unlike traditional vertical leadership, Tyler leads horizontally, working across teams and functions to align people toward shared goals.

Tyler shares how he:

• Builds rapport and trust to gain momentum when he doesn't hold direct authority.

• Uses stakeholder mapping and a deep understanding of his audience to move projects forward.

• Casts a compelling vision of what's possible to inspire others to invest time and energy.

• Approaches conversations with intentionality, knowing that when he shows up, he's often asking people to take on more work.

This conversation is a masterclass in the power of influence over authority. Tyler reminds us that in complex organizations, leadership isn't about titles; it's about relationships, strategy, and the ability to move people toward a shared future.

Tune in to learn practical ways to strengthen your influence, especially if you lead across functions, roles, and priorities.

Episode 16: Spokesperson, Disseminator, Liaison

Communication is one of the most vital skills for any leader, yet one of the most challenging. In this episode, Dr. JBT explores three essential dimensions of leadership communication: downward, upward, and across.

• Disseminator (Downward): As a leader, your team depends on you to share information that helps them succeed. Think of yourself as a lighthouse keeper - shining light on what's ahead so your team can navigate with clarity and confidence. Without that light, confusion and frustration set in.

• Spokesperson (Upward): Your team needs you to be their microphone - amplifying their accomplishments, advocating for resources, and voicing their challenges so decision-makers hear them. If you don't speak up for your team, who will?

• Liaison (Across): No team operates in isolation. Organizations are interconnected systems, much like the digestive system of the body. Each part must work together or the whole suffers. Leaders must communicate across functions, share insights, and align strategies to prevent breakdowns and inefficiencies.

Through powerful analogies and real-life examples, Dr. JBT shows why these three roles are non-negotiable for effective leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Be a lighthouse: Shine clarity and build trust through consistent dissemination.

• Be a microphone: Amplify your team's voice to secure recognition and resources.

• Be a system-thinker: Act as a liaison to strengthen interdependence across teams.

Leadership is about more than managing tasks; it's about stewarding communication to empower people and strengthen the whole organization.

In this episode of Leadership and Learning, Dr. JBT gets personal and shares her own massive fear of heights, and what it taught her about leadership.

Leadership isn't about avoiding discomfort; it's about moving forward even when fear is present. Whether it's making tough decisions, stepping into new responsibilities, or leading change, we all face moments that feel daunting.

Dr. JBT explores how leaning on colleagues, mentors, and other experienced leaders can provide the support and confidence we need to keep climbing (sometimes literally!). Facing fear doesn't make it disappear, but it does strengthen resilience, courage, and confidence in our leadership.

• Leadership often means doing the uncomfortable thing anyway.

• Fear is a normal part of growth—what matters is how we respond.

• Relying on peers and mentors can transform fear into confidence.

• Facing fears builds stronger, more resilient leaders.

Tune in and reflect: What fears are holding you back, and how might stepping into them grow your leadership?

In this second conversation with leadership scholar and practitioner Dr. Scott, we dive into the power of Stay Interviews, and why embracing the reality that your team members may not always be with you is not only okay, but healthy. Dr. Scott shares how great leaders see their role as helping people prepare for their next step, even if that journey takes them beyond your organization.

We explore what it means to be a 21st century leader, one who invests in others, actively seeks out mentors, and understands that leadership is about multiplying impact through people. Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, this episode will inspire you to approach leadership with an open hand, a growth mindset, and a commitment to the long-term success of those you serve.

Key Takeaways:

• How Stay Interviews can strengthen trust and retention

• Why it's okay (and even rewarding) when people grow beyond your organization

• What defines a successful 21st century leader

• The importance of both mentoring others and finding mentors for yourself

Episode 13: Building a Leadership Philosophy & Earning Trust – with Dr. Scott

In this episode of Leadership and Learning with Dr. JBT, I'm joined by Dr. Scott, a respected leadership practitioner and scholar, for an inspiring conversation about what it really takes to lead with authenticity and integrity.

We explore:

• Why every leader needs a personal leadership philosophy, and how to build one that aligns with your values and vision.

• Practical ways to earn trust in the workplace and sustain it over time.

• How trust and clarity in leadership philosophy create healthier, more engaged teams.

Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this episode will help you clarify your own leadership approach and strengthen the trust that fuels your team's success.