How To Go From Overlooked to Undeniable | Courtney Intersimone

What if the biggest thing holding talented leaders back is not a lack of skill, but a quiet belief that someone else will eventually notice and choose them? In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Courtney Intersimone to talk about the unwritten rules of executive success. Courtney shares why strong performers often stay stuck, how visibility and influence really work inside organizations, and why good work alone is rarely enough to move you up. She breaks down the role of political intelligence, strategic self-advocacy, executive presence, and the danger of waiting for permission long after your career requires self-direction. She also explains how leaders can recover from setbacks, read organizational power more clearly, and rebuild confidence after being overlooked or even pushed out. This episode is for ambitious professionals, senior leaders, and rising executives who want to stop playing small, navigate power dynamics with more skill, and position themselves for the next level without losing their integrity. Press play before another year passes waiting for someone else to hand you the role you already know you are capable of leading. *What You Will Learn* Why waiting to be chosen can quietly stall a career What the unwritten rules of executive success actually look like Why doing good work alone is usually not enough How visibility and self-advocacy influence advancement What political intelligence means in healthy practice How to navigate power and influence without becoming someone you dislike Why some highly capable leaders stay stuck as problem solvers How to shift from execution mode into strategic leadership What imposter syndrome looks like at very senior levels How leaders can recover from setbacks and rebuild momentum after a career blow *Chapters* (0:30) Why some leaders become undeniable and others stay overlooked (1:31) The unwritten rules of executive success (4:48) The biggest misunderstandings that hold leaders back (11:15) Political intelligence and influence inside organizations (14:03) The difference between politics and toxicity (22:10) Why many leaders feel like they are starting over (23:04) How to move from problem solver to strategist (30:58) Imposter syndrome at the highest levels (40:08) Reading an organization like a system (43:46) What a real career turnaround looks like (50:46) Where to connect with Courtney *Courtney Intersimone* is an executive advisor and former global head of talent at a Fortune 500 company. She has spent years inside the rooms where succession decisions, leadership moves, and high-stakes talent calls are actually made. Today, she helps leaders understand the hidden dynamics that shape executive success, from visibility and influence to confidence, strategic positioning, and career reinvention. Her work is especially focused on helping high-capacity professionals move from overlooked to undeniable with more clarity and intention. *CONNECT* with Courtney Intersimone Website: https://courtneyintersimone.com/ LinkedIn:   / courtneyintersimone   Email: [email protected] *CONNECT* with Executive Connect Website: https://executiveconnectexperience.co... Get The Full Brief: https://executiveconnectexperience.co... LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug YouTube: Executive Connect Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast Facebook: Executive Connect If you like the content please do share, subscribe and like the channel. Tune in to the complete episode on the channel under podcasts. For more visit - executiveconnectpodcast.com #executive #leadershipdevelopment #team #cxos #ceo