The Problem with No Problems with Brooke Brzozowske Pt. 2

May 28, 2025

We’re back with Part 2 of my deeply thought-provoking conversation with Brooke Brzozowske, leadership communication coach and founder of Up Until Now Coaching. In Part 1, we cracked open the leadership myth that says “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions,” and explored how real leadership means making space for real conversations, even the messy ones.

In this follow-up episode, we go even deeper.

The Fear Behind Fixing

We kick things off by talking about the real reason so many leaders default to solving instead of listening: fear. Fear of not knowing the answer. Fear of being seen as incompetent. Fear of not having it “all together.” We’re peeling back the layers of what’s actually happening behind those quick fixes, and how we can shift from performance-based leadership to presence-based leadership.

Brooke invites us to consider something radical: what if vulnerability actually built trust instead of breaking it? What if saying, “I don’t know”, was the beginning of something powerful, not a sign of weakness?

Leading With Questions, Not Just Answers

Throughout this conversation, we explore what it looks like to lead with curiosity. Brooke shares an incredible story about challenging a senior leader to define what “success” actually looked like, and how that one clarifying question changed everything about the way their team operated. It’s a reminder that the best leaders don’t rush to fill the silence. They lean into it.

Creating Space for Better Conversations

We also talk about how to build a team culture where unfinished ideas, honest reflection, and deep listening are the norm, not the exception. Brooke names key qualities like curiosity, self-awareness, openness, and even a little gratitude as the secret sauce to leadership that lasts.

Leadership in Transition

And finally, Brooke shares her own vulnerable and courageous leap , leaving a decades-long career in federal service to pursue full-time coaching. She opens up about what it means to align with her values, take a bet on herself, and redefine what “success” really looks like.

In this episode, we talk about: