Denise Moss climbed from bank teller to VP of HR, but not before spending years stuck at the director level, watching less-qualified peers get promoted around her. In this episode, Courtney O'Connell sits down with Denise Moss (aka "Your HR Homegirl") to unpack exactly what changed.

Denise shares the real story behind her rise through corporate HR: starting as a temp receptionist, getting promoted to HR administrator in six months, and later volunteering for the systems implementation project no one else wanted (one that finally put her name in front of the C-suite).

She and Courtney break down why grit is a skill you can build (not just a trait you're born with), why "no" is a complete sentence, and why self-promotion isn't bragging, it's how decision-makers actually find out you're ready for more.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why being great at your job is not the same as being visible for promotion
• How to build the confrontation muscle if pushback doesn't come naturally to you
• The exact project-volunteering strategy that got Denise noticed by her company's COO
• How to set boundaries and protect your time without damaging trust
• What executive presence actually looks like in the room (hint: it's not arrogance)

If you've ever felt like you're doing the best work of your career and still getting passed over, this conversation is for you.

About the Guest:
Denise Moss ("Your HR Homegirl") is a former VP of Human Resources with a career built on grit, reinvention, and knowing when to raise her hand.

About the Host:
Courtney O'Connell spent 23 years in corporate HR, rising from administrative assistant to SVP sitting in the room where promotion decisions were actually made. She now coaches high-performing leaders on how to get seen, get sponsored, and get promoted.

Links:

The 5am Club Here

The 48 Laws of Power Here

Grit Here

Connect with Denise Here

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👉 Learn more at thepromoted.com

Keywords/Tags
career advancement, how to get promoted, corporate career growth, HR career tips, executive presence, workplace confrontation skills, career coaching, women in leadership, stuck at director level, how to get promoted at work, building visibility at work, career grit, corporate promotion strategy

What if the biggest thing holding you back from your next promotion isn't your technical skills… but how people experience you as a leader?

Today's guest is Michael Kubit, former Chief Information Officer and executive leader with decades of experience building teams, leading transformation, and making high-stakes leadership decisions.

In this conversation, we unpack why emotional intelligence is becoming more valuable (not less!) in the age of AI, how to make the difficult transition from individual contributor to leader, and what executives are really looking for when they decide who's ready for the next level.

Main Topics:

• Michael’s non-traditional career path and key learnings from early roles
• The role of emotional intelligence and vulnerability in effective leadership
• Building organizational culture through trust, conflict, and clear communication
• Recognizing when it’s time to pivot professionally based on values and environment
• The impact of technology evolution and skills to focus on in the age of AI
• Strategies for developing executive presence and impactful communication
• The significance of self-awareness and team fit in leadership success

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing Michael Cubit and his background

02:03 - Lessons learned from early roles in hotel maintenance and transferable skills

03:45 - How DIY problem-solving influences professional problem-solving

05:06 - From music tech to IT: The evolution of technological involvement

06:13 - The early days of university-based dial-up modems and internet progress

08:21 - Skills to prioritize in the age of AI and technological disruption

10:12 - The importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in leadership

11:36 - Perception management and deliberate career development

12:45 - Recognizing organizational misalignment and knowing when to move on

14:10 - Navigating virtual communication glitches and resilience during remote recordings

20:23 - The significance of brand and reputation in career success

22:13 - Developing leadership authenticity and the balance between self-control and presence

33:48 - Communicating effectively and managing power dynamics as a leader

36:28 - Building trust and fostering healthy team conflict (Lencioni’s model)

44:38 - Moving from doing to leading: the evolving leadership pie chart

52:26 - The ability to distill complexity and demonstrate executive presence

54:45 - Understanding and managing emotions for better leadership impact

57:31 - The art of toggling authenticity — reading the room and showing up deliberately

60:27 - Recommended books for leading change and understanding energy and spirituality (Switch by Chip & Dan Heath, Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza)

63:30 - The grounding power of nature and staying connected to self amidst professional demands

Resources & Links:

• Switch by Chip and Dan Heath
• Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza
• Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Connect with Michael Kubit:

• LinkedIn

#EmotionalIntelligence #CIO #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth #Leadership

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In this episode, Colleen Lauria shares her inspiring journey of embracing her authentic self in the workplace, navigating mental health challenges, and building a fulfilling career in HR and coaching. Discover how core skills like emotional intelligence, curiosity, and thriving amid ambiguity can elevate your professional life, no matter your industry.

Key Topics - We discuss:

• The importance of mental health awareness and integrating personal challenges into professional growth
• Her unconventional career arc from real estate to HR consultancy to corporate transformation
• The role of networking and relationship-building in pivoting careers
• How to recognize if you're in the right organizational environment for success
• The enduring relevance of emotional intelligence, curiosity, and adaptability in a changing business landscape
• Practical steps to develop coachability, embrace feedback, and own mistakes confidently
• The impact of authentic leadership and how to balance self-expression with organizational culture
• The significance of understanding your core values—like freedom—and how they shape career choices
• Managing workplace politics while staying true to yourself
• Using AI as a cognitive tool without losing creative and critical thinking skills
• Book recommendation: The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Mate—exploring inherited trauma and self-development

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Colleen Lauria’s journey and insights

02:05 - The thread of passion connecting music, theater, and leadership

06:01 - Navigating career transitions and the power of networking

10:39 - Embracing mental health struggles as superpowers in professional growth

16:36 - Overcoming imposter syndrome and trusting organizational support

22:27 - How seniority fosters authentic leadership and self-confidence

28:46 - Recognizing organizational culture fit and the importance of values

36:25 - Practical skills for thriving amid change and ambiguity

43:34 - Understanding executive presence beyond traditional norms

46:41 - Book recommendation for self-development and emotional healing

Resources & Links:

• The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Mate: https://amzn.to/4g0Xjvh
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Connect with Colleen:

• LinkedIn

#Authenticity #MentalHealthAtWork #Resilience #CareerGrowth #Leadership |

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Patrick Sutton shares his inspiring journey from Hollywood extra to HR executive emphasizing authenticity, storytelling, and strategic influence in career growth.

In this episode:

• Patrick shares his unexpected start
• The crucial skills acting and storytelling develop for effective communication and executive presence
• Transition from Hollywood to corporate, highlighting the transferability of soft skills
• How embracing career pivots and external influences can guide strategic growth
• The importance of building your personal brand, visibility, and advocacy through self-promotion
• Practical tips on "reading the room" and influencing via storytelling and emotional intelligence
• The significance of legacy-minded leadership over trend-driven pursuits
• Insights into trust, integrity, and owning your story to accelerate promotions

Timestamps:

00:16 - Welcome and Patrick Sutton’s Hollywood debut experience

01:30 - How a movie role led to corporate skills development

02:53 - Acting skills enhancing executive presence and communication

04:20 - Teenage role in A Time to Kill and its impact on professionalism

05:07 - Transition from Hollywood to corporate HR and learning to pivot

06:45 - The power of transferable skills from acting to leadership

08:40 - Childhood dreams of becoming a writer and storytelling as a career foundation

09:58 - Influences from college and early career explorations

11:10 - Starting in media and realizing the importance of connection

13:47 - Advice for career growth and the importance of being intentional

14:23 - How 2008 recession shaped empathy and leadership in HR

16:09 - The moment that defined Patrick’s desire to make a difference in HR

17:39 - Finding joy in the work and creating a legacy in leadership

19:39 - Navigating work fulfillment in a challenging economy

20:01 - The importance of owning your story and self-advocacy

21:38 - Practice makes perfect: elevator pitches and storytelling tips

22:06 - Building community and relationships for career advancement

23:04 - The art of advocacy, sponsorship versus mentorship

25:28 - The importance of integrity and follow-through in promotions

31:10 - Legacy over trends: becoming a legend in leadership

34:35 - Mastering influence by reading the room and connecting authentically

45:35 - Developing executive presence through confidence and body language

48:55 - Trust, credibility, and the role of integrity in leadership decisions

50:11 - Advice to Patrick from a decade ago: trust yourself

51:49 - Patrick’s favorite books: Let Them and The Four Agreements

Resources & Links:

• Let Them by Mel Robbins
• The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz

Connect with Patrick Sutton:

• LinkedIn

#ExecutivePresence #CareerAdvice #Leadership #PersonalBranding #StorytellingForLeaders |

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In this episode, Kacy Wickenhauser shares her inspiring journey from aspiring ER physician to CHRO in the energy industry, highlighting the importance of resilience, authenticity, and strategic thinking in career development.

Key Topics:

• The value of starting in unglamorous roles to build foundational skills in HR and corporate settings
• The significance of partner choice and support systems in shaping career paths and dreams
• Lessons learned from managing employee relations, layoffs, and industry stability during economic downturns
• The importance of curiosity, trust-building, and intentional branding in leadership development
• Understanding executive presence and the impact of distractions in today’s fast-paced workplace
• Embracing vulnerability, authenticity, and the concept of ‘bringing your whole self’ to work
• Strategies for navigating mistakes and building credibility through trust and consistency
• The ongoing balance of work, personal values, and life’s unpredictability

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction and insights into Casey’s career pivot
• 02:05 - Reflecting on the regret of not pursuing a childhood dream in medicine
• 05:55 - How psychology and an MBA shaped Casey’s HR approach
• 08:12 - Building foundational HR experience in staffing and manufacturing settings
• 10:24 - Why the energy industry offers meaningful, sustainable work
• 13:50 - Overcoming fear and embracing mistakes as growth opportunities
• 15:50 - Trust as a 'trust jar' analogy for managing mistakes and credibility
• 17:40 - The challenge of balancing emotional baggage with leadership responsibilities
• 19:12 - Defining what it means to "have it all" and the importance of balance
• 21:22 - Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers and the importance of curiosity in talent development
• 24:53 - The significance of executive presence and reading the room
• 25:08 - The real meaning of ‘bring your whole self to work’ and setting boundaries
• 28:13 - The impact of likability and building genuine relationships at work
• 31:57 - Developing personal values and legacy in professional life
• 36:44 - Strategic thinking beyond daily tactics for long-term success
• 38:01 - Practical advice for high-performing employees seeking visibility
• 39:43 - The role of vulnerability, authenticity, and storytelling in leadership
• 42:09 - Recommended books: Victor Frankel’s Man’s Search for Meaning and Ethan Cross’s Chatter

Resources & Links

• Victor Frankel - Man's Search for Meaning
• Ethan Cross - Chatter

Connect with Kacy

• LinkedIn

#CHRO #CareerAdvice #Resilience #ExecutivePresence #Leadership |

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In this inspiring conversation, Lauren Newton shares her unconventional career path from art school to senior leadership in HR and recruiting. Her story highlights the importance of vulnerability, strategic risk-taking, and fostering authentic relationships in professional growth.

• The leap of faith: transitioning from creative arts to staffing without prior connections
• Lessons learned from working at Facebook and Medium during hyper-growth and pandemic challenges
• Building psychological safety and vulnerability as leadership strengths
• Navigating career pivots: from individual contributor to team builder and head of functions
• The significance of seeking mentorship, articulating ambitions, and making strategic plans
• Work-life boundaries and balancing motherhood with high-stakes roles

In this episode:

• Lauren discusses how her early passion for art influenced her creative approach to recruiting
• The moment she decided to leave a stable job for high-risk opportunities during pregnancy
• How vulnerability and transparency built her leadership reputation
• The role of internal relationships and political awareness in career advancement
• Practical advice for managing boundaries as a working parent in tech

Timestamps:

00:00 - Lauren Newton’s childhood dreams and career evolution

02:03 - Transition from art school to creative recruiting success

03:22 - How a Monster.com resume led to her first recruiting role

04:09 - The importance of early career mentorship and networking

06:38 - From staffing agency to in-house recruiting at startups

08:32 - Experiences and challenges at Facebook during rapid growth

10:46 - The moment Lauren realized the impact of her work at Medium

12:35 - Overcoming risk aversion and taking bold career leaps while pregnant

15:22 - Building confidence through transparent leadership and advocacy

17:20 - Navigating pregnancy and inclusion in corporate culture

18:38 - Transitioning from Facebook to Medium as a transformational move

20:10 - Leading teams through hyper-growth and organizational change

23:19 - Recognizing leadership potential and advocating for yourself

27:24 - Cultivating vulnerability and transparency for psychological safety

30:45 - The power of being known and internal networking

34:36 - Handling corporate politics with integrity and strategy

40:50 - Setting boundaries for work-life harmony as a working mom

56:20 - Lauren’s favorite books on leadership and resilience

60:05 - Reflection on art, life, and ongoing learning

Lauren emphasizes that vulnerability, transparency, and strategic risk are key to authentic leadership. Her journey exemplifies that with clarity of purpose and strong relationships, career pivots and challenges become opportunities for growth.

Resources & Links:

• No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings
• Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Connect with Lauren Newton:

• LinkedIn

#Vulnerability #Leadership #TechCareers #CareerGrowth #WorkingParents |

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I spent 23 years inside Fortune 500 companies, the last decade as SVP and Head of HR sitting in the rooms where promotion decisions actually get made.

I've watched talented people get passed over for reasons no one ever explained to them, and I've watched others rise because they understood something the rest of the room didn't.

I'm Courtney O'Connell, and this is Inside the Promotion Room.

This trailer is your first look at the show: why I'm doing this, who it's for, and what you can expect every week. If you're a manager, director, or executive who feels like you're doing great work that nobody notices, this show was built for you.

Each week, I sit down with senior leaders and executives for an honest conversation about how their careers actually happened, not the polished version. We talk about the moments that changed everything, the mentors and sponsors who opened doors, the mistakes that almost ended things, and the unwritten rules of executive presence, visibility, and workplace politics that most people only learn the hard way.

Inside the Promotion Room launches soon. Subscribe now so you're ready when they drop.

Welcome to the Promoted Room

🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on career advancement, executive presence, and leadership
📩 Guest inquiries: support@thepromoted.com
_🌐_http://thepromoted.com

#CareerAdvancement #Leadership #ExecutivePresence #PromotionTips #CorporateLeadership

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