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 LearnWhy waiting to be chosen can quietly stall a careerWhat the unwritten rules of executive success actually look likeWhy doing good work alone is usually not enoughHow visibility and self-advocacy influence advancementWhat political intelligence means in healthy practiceHow to navigate power and influence without becoming someone you dislikeWhy some highly capable leaders stay stuck as problem solversHow to shift from execution mode into strategic leadershipWhat imposter syndrome looks like at very senior levelsHow leaders can recover from setbacks and rebuild momentum after a career blowChapters(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 CourtneyCourtney 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 IntersimoneWebsite: https://courtneyintersimone.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyintersimoneEmail: [email protected] with Executive ConnectWebsite: https://www.executiveconnectexperience.comLinkedIn: Melissa AarskaugYouTube: Executive ConnectInstagram: @executiveconnectpodcastTikTok: @executiveconnectpodcastFacebook: Executive Connect