Hear her insights on the latest episode of the “Elon Beyond the Bricks” podcast hosted by President Connie L. Book.
In the latest episode of “Elon Beyond the Bricks,” leadership expert and author Joyel Crawford ’97 joins President Connie Ledoux Book for an inspiring conversation about navigating careers with purpose, advocating for yourself and empowering others to lead with confidence.
As founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies and the host of the “Career View Mirror” podcast, Crawford brings over two decades of experience in leadership development — including a long tenure at Verizon — to her work today as a coach, consultant and speaker. She’s also the author of the career guidebook “Show Your Ask,” a practical and motivational toolkit for professionals looking to take charge of their careers.
“I like to say that I grow leaders for a living,” Crawford said. “From Elon to beyond, that whole leadership thread just continued.”
After starting in customer service at Verizon, Crawford quickly realized her passion was in developing people — and she relentlessly pursued a path into training and development, sharing that she was able to successfully make the transition because, “I asked, and I just kept on asking. The results are what gave me the confidence to keep on going, because people were going from point A to Z (in their careers), and I was helping them along.” Eventually, Crawford realized, “I think there is a wider opportunity for me.”
That persistence — along with what she calls “success blinders” — led her to a career in learning and development, where she coached individuals at all levels. Eventually, after 20 years in corporate America, she launched her own business to reach even more professionals.
Crawford’s RISE methodology — reflect, identify, strategize and execute — serves as a foundational framework in her coaching. It encourages leaders to slow down, realign with their values, and take meaningful steps toward their goals.
As a thought leader, Crawford has shared her message widely, including on “Good Morning America.” But despite the visibility, she stays grounded in her purpose.
“It’s not about the spotlight. It’s about the service. I believe I was placed here to motivate and inspire others to take action in their careers and their lives.”
-Joyel Crawford ’97
Her book, “Show Your Ask,” combines personal stories and lessons learned with interactive reflections — helping readers get clear on their direction and build confidence to make bold career moves. The title speaks to the power of knowing what you want and voicing it unapologetically.
It’s a skill Crawford herself used, ensuring that she continued to progress in her career by “…Seeing myself in the driver’s seat of my career. Whoever I was reporting to was the GPS. I calculated the route, and if the route was changing, I just recalculated!”
Looking back on her time at Elon, Crawford credits the university with providing her a “leadership lab.” As a Leadership Fellow, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and active participant in student life, she developed critical skills she still draws on today.
“(Elon) showed me that leadership isn’t about a title,” she said. “It was about showing up and creating space for others to shine, grow and rise.”
From reflecting on values to championing bold self-advocacy, Joyel Crawford’s story is a powerful example of leading with clarity and courage — and helping others do the same.
Listen to the full podcast episode.