The Resolution Room

Why are so many teams stuck in reaction mode? Why do so many leaders confuse managing tasks with actually leading people? In this episode, Dr. Nashay Lowe sits down with organizational change strategist Alexis Felton, founder of Alter EQ, to unpack the hidden costs of values-misaligned leadership—and why most workplace friction isn’t a skills gap, it’s a care gap. Together, they explore the psychology of resistance, the emotional toll of misalignment, and the simple but radical truth that leadership begins with how you show up, not what you know. From corporate burnout to authentic connection, this conversation reframes change management as a human practice: one built on empathy, intentionality, and the courage to lead with care—even when it’s inconvenient. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly putting out fires, questioning your impact, or wondering why good ideas stall inside good organizations, this episode will help you reset your definition of leadership—from control to compassion, and from reaction to rhythm.Key TakeawaysAuthenticity is crucial for effective leadership.Genuine care involves listening and responding to employees' needs.Balancing professionalism with personal connection enhances workplace culture.Vulnerability in leadership fosters trust and collaboration.Feedback should be viewed as a gift, not criticism.Emotional intelligence is as important as technical competence in leadership.Creating a supportive environment encourages open communication.Resistance to change often stems from a lack of ownership.Engagement surveys are only valuable if acted upon.Personalizing leadership approaches can improve team dynamics.About Alexis FeltonGlobal Program Leader with a proven record of driving strategic initiatives and building high-performing cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments. Expertise spans Project & Portfolio Management (PPM), change management, and delivering transformative solutions that enhance customer engagement. Strong communicator committed to inclusive leadership and continuous improvement.At Smartsheet, I'm a Sr. Solutions Specialist, PPM & Transformation, where I've driven GTM initiatives that influenced over $100M in ARR through compelling use case demonstrations. I empower cross-functional teams to elevate solutions and solve complex customer challenges, enhancing Smartsheet's PPM credibility. I've also executed Customer Success programs with 90%+ CSAT.With an MSOD (4.0 GPA) and PgMP, PMP, and Six Sigma Green Belt certifications, I bring a strong theoretical and practical foundation to program leadership. I'm passionate about leveraging my skills to drive organizational success through strategic partnerships and a focus on continuous improvement. Proud board member of Black at Smartsheet, championing inclusivity.

In this conversation, Dr. Nashay Lowe explores the concept of fresh starts and resolutions, questioning their effectiveness in facilitating real change. She emphasizes that true transformation comes not from declarations but from the systems and environments we create around ourselves. By examining the difference between wanting change and designing for it, she highlights the importance of supportive structures that can sustain us through challenges. Dr. Lowe also critiques the glamorization of change, advocating for a more honest approach that acknowledges our imperfections and the realities of life. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to build systems that support their growth, even on imperfect days.Key TakeawaysThe illusion of a fresh start can be comforting but often leads to familiar patterns.Real change requires supportive environments and consistent habits.Resolutions place too much emphasis on a single decision rather than ongoing effort.Wanting change is different from designing for it; systems are crucial.Most people struggle not due to lack of willpower but because of inadequate structures.Systems help reduce friction and make desired behaviors easier to achieve.Change is often unremarkable and requires consistent effort rather than dramatic breakthroughs.Building systems for the person you actually are is essential for sustainable growth.Expecting change to feel exciting can hinder its sustainability.Meaningful change comes from a steady relationship with supportive systems.

Every film begins with a story — and so does every company.In this cinematic conversation, Dr. Nashay Lowe sits down with filmmaker and creative strategist Cherise Lesesne to explore how storytelling and direction can transform the way we lead. From defining a clear vision to casting the right team and setting the emotional tone, Cherise unpacks how the best directors — and leaders — bring stories to life that people actually want to be part of. Together, they reveal how creativity, clarity, and compassion can reshape the cultures we build, one scene at a time. Key TakeawaysLeaders are storytellers, crafting narratives for their teams.Language and tone significantly impact team dynamics.Effective teams require a mix of personalities and skills.Conflict can be a catalyst for growth and improvement.Directing is about inspiring others, not micromanaging.Character development is crucial for team success.Setting the right tone can influence team morale.Reframing challenges can turn fear into focus.Leadership should be iterative and adaptable.Understanding and empathy are key to effective leadership.About Cherise LesesneCherise Lesesne is a product strategist, writer, and filmmaker whose work bridges storytelling, culture, and social analysis. She explores the power of narrative to decode how film, television, and media mirror societal systems and human behavior. She is also a finalist for TEDx U Street Women to deliver a speech regarding how people should take advantage of technology and screentime by thinking critically about the messages present in film and TV. Through her media platform Chaos In My Cup, Cherise weaves together essays, cinematic storytelling, and cultural critique that challenge audiences to think critically about identity, power, and belonging. Her background in product strategy informs her creative approach—merging analytical precision with emotional depth to craft stories that inspire reflection, connection, and change.

In this episode, Dr. Nashay Lowe explores three topics funneling to on shared lesson: 1) myth of perfect timing, emphasizing that waiting for the right moment often keeps us stuck. She discusses 2) how scars can become beauty marks, shaping our depth and leadership, and 3) shares insights from her travels on how perspective shifts when we step outside our comfort zones. The episode highlights that growth doesn't arrive polished but is lived through experiences.Key Takeaways: The myth of perfect timing often keeps us stuck.Scars can become beauty marks, shaping our depth.Travel shifts our perspective and assumptions.Growth doesn't arrive polished; it's lived.Readiness is a decision, not a feeling.Waiting too long has a cost on our dreams.Starting messy is still starting.Momentum teaches what preparation can't.Scars are evidence of resilience and growth.Travel deepens empathy and responsibility.

In this conversation, Sandra Martinez shares her journey as a humanitarian worker, discussing her experiences in conflict-affected areas and the importance of resilience and transitional justice. She emphasizes the need for emotional health, community support, and self-care in humanitarian work, while also addressing the distinction between survival and resilience. Sandra reflects on personal stories that highlight the power of collective resilience and the necessity of creating supportive systems for individuals and communities.Key TakeawaysSandra's journey into humanitarian work began during her master's program in 2014.Resilience involves not just enduring hardship but also transforming that experience into strength.Transitional justice aims for truth, accountability, and non-repetition of past violations.Survival mode can mask deeper trauma and hinder true resilience.Glorifying endurance can overlook the emotional toll of hardship.Creating safe spaces for grief is essential for healing and resilience.Collective resilience involves shared care and community support.Leadership that prioritizes compassion can shift individuals from survival to resilience.Self-care is crucial for humanitarian workers to effectively support others.Small actions can foster a culture of resilience in any community.About Sandra MartinezPolitical Scientist and Master in International Affairs with over seven years of international experience in human rights, peace, and protection across challenging regions in Africa and Latin America. I've worked with international organizations, specializing in providing strategic advice on crisis response, conflict resolution, and the implementation of projects with a focus on gender and inclusion.Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandramartinezr/

Dr. Nashay Lowe shares insights from her experience in facilitating conversations across various industries, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unspoken dynamics in a room, the power of honest voices, and the patterns of conflict. She highlights how subtle shifts can indicate a change in group dynamics and the lessons learned from facilitating discussions that foster understanding and engagement.Key TakeawaysThe room has a tone and posture before anyone speaks.Good facilitation starts the moment you enter the room.Silence can indicate calculation rather than resistance.Honest voices can shift the entire room's energy.Conflict often stems from differing definitions and stakes.Recognizing subtle shifts can enhance group participation.Facilitation is about guiding and protecting conversations.Groups long to be understood and taken seriously.Creating safety allows for deeper engagement.Conversations can change how individuals interact with the world.

In this episode, Dr. Nashay Lowe interviews Priscilla Adebayo, a PhD candidate in International Conflict Management, about her work with refugee women. They discuss the resilience and agency of refugees, particularly women, in the face of forced displacement and conflict. Priscilla shares her personal journey and research, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, community, and finding purpose in suffering. The conversation highlights the challenges refugees face, the power of resilience, and the need for a supportive framework to help them rebuild their lives.Key TakeawaysResilience is about finding purpose in suffering.Refugee women face unique challenges in displacement.Community support is crucial for refugee integration.Storytelling helps refugees reclaim their narratives.Priscilla Adebayo's framework aids refugee healing.Cultural barriers impact refugee experiences in the US.Refugees need to be seen as agents, not victims.Language barriers hinder refugee integration.Resilience involves courage and grit to move forward.Healing requires addressing psychological trauma.About Priscilla AdebayaoPriscilla Adebayo is a passionate leader and social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering women and youths. With over a decade of cumulative experience in non-profit leadership/administration, law, academic research, conflict resolution and coaching, Priscilla skillfully integrates her expertise to drive meaningful change. Priscilla is known for her ability to design, fund, implement, monitor, and evaluate projects, driving sustainable solutions that enhance organizational missions and deliver measurable results. Her collaborative leadership style fosters team development and promotes engagement.Website: https://sa4refugeewomen.comContact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-adebayo-91062b141/

Dr. Nashay Lowe explores the essence of public speaking, emphasizing that it's not about confidence or performance but about alignment and authenticity. She shares personal experiences, including a TEDx pitch and a talk at Webster University Geneva, illustrating how vulnerability and presence can transform speaking into a powerful tool for connection and reflection.Key Takeaways:Public speaking is more about alignment than performance.Authenticity requires vulnerability and fear.Fear indicates that your voice matters in the space you're entering.Speaking can reflect possibilities and inspire others.The impact of a message often goes beyond the speaker's intentions.Humanity in delivery resonates more than polished technique.Presence and connection are more valuable than performance.A speaker's voice can become a mirror, reflecting both expertise and humanity.People remember how you made them feel, not just the content.Your voice can reveal possibilities for both the audience and yourself.