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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