In this episode of Promoted with Denise Harris, I’m joined by Susan Begalka, Founder and CEO of SkyLimit Leadership and a transformational executive leadership coach known for helping leaders turn insight into lasting impact. With deep expertise in CliftonStrengths®, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology, Susan brings a practical, human-centered approach to leadership development that resonates at every level.

Our conversation explores why strengths awareness is a strategic advantage, not a personality label. Susan explains how understanding what you do best—and how you do it—can transform the way you lead, communicate, and navigate career decisions. We discuss how strengths create clarity for leaders who feel successful yet uncertain about what’s next, and how using strengths-based language empowers women to advocate for themselves without feeling boastful.

We also dive into team dynamics, unpacking why no one is truly “well-rounded” on their own and how high-performing teams are built by intentionally leveraging collective strengths. This episode offers both reflection and practical guidance for leaders who want to move beyond working harder and instead lead with confidence, trust, and purpose.

Additional Links & Resources:

Book | Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath & Barry Conchie

Book | Multipliers by Liz Wiseman

Book | Trust & Inspire by Stephen M.R. Covey

Connect with Susan:

Website | Sky Limit Leadership

Email | sbegalka@skylimitleadership.com

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/seize-the-day

In this solo episode of Promoted with Denise Harris, I explore a concept many high-achieving professionals experience but rarely name: messy success. It’s that moment when you reach a milestone—a promotion, a new role, a big life win—and instead of feeling fulfilled, you feel tired, disconnected, or quietly unsettled. If you’ve ever thought, “Why doesn’t this feel the way I expected it to?” this episode is for you.

Messy success isn’t failure, and it’s not underperformance. It often shows up because you’re capable, driven, and trusted. But when achievement outpaces intention, speed becomes a substitute for progress, leaving little room for reflection, integration, or joy. In this episode, I unpack how messy success shows up in careers and life, why it’s so common among high performers, and the hidden costs of always racing toward “what’s next.”

We’ll also talk about how to reclaim intention as a leadership skill—by slowing down, celebrating what you’ve already built, and redefining success in a way that’s sustainable and aligned. Because clean success isn’t perfect—it’s intentional.

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership https://www.deniseharrisleadership.com/

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-harris

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: HXG0D7FFZD9A0U4L

https://uppbeat.io/t/kurtz-martin/untamable-love

License code: SF8GK3FTOXGD39EB

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/great-things-to-happen

License code: DUFGY7M2AET3VXAU

In this inspiring episode of Promoted with Denise Harris, I sat down with Sheryl Raphael Whitaker, Founder & CEO of EdenAnthony Elite Talent Solutions and author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller It Starts with Joy: The Inner Shift that Changes Everything. Sheryl is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and former head of enterprise learning and talent development for over 37,000 employees at USAA. Her groundbreaking JoyShift™ method and leadership philosophy—Joy is my COO™—invite leaders to see joy not as a soft emotion, but as a powerful strategic tool for driving clarity, authenticity, and performance.

Our conversation explored what it means to lead from joy in today’s high-pressure workplaces. Sheryl shared her belief that joy is not a distraction from productivity, but rather the differentiator that helps leaders thrive and inspire others. She discussed how self-awareness, intentionality, and courage are key to cultivating what she calls “intentional joy,” especially in cultures that feel stressful or disconnected. By leading from joy, she explained, leaders build environments of trust, psychological safety, and creativity—where innovation and engagement naturally follow.

Sheryl also opened up about her own journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, including a pivotal experience that nearly stole her joy. Rather than staying in a role that caused her to shrink, she chose to step into her power and create her own company, empowering leaders to reclaim joy as their operating system. She emphasized that joy doesn’t mean every day is easy—it’s an anchor that helps you return to steadiness after the storm passes. Through reflection, gratitude, and boundaries, leaders can protect their energy, stay grounded, and model what authentic leadership truly looks like.

As we wrapped up, Sheryl shared her take on what makes a person promotable: fearlessness, creativity, and a genuine love for people. She reminded listeners that saying “no” can often be a powerful “yes” to yourself—and that leadership rooted in joy isn’t about constant happiness, but about resilience, connection, and purpose. This heart-centered conversation was a beautiful reminder that joy is not only personal—it’s a leadership advantage that transforms how we show up, how we serve, and how we rise.

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5PsAEQQ3eO8

Additional Links & Resources:

Book | It Starts with Joy: The Inner Shift that Changes Everything by Sheryl Whitaker

Connect with Sheryl:

LinkedIn | Sheryl Raphael Whitaker

Website | Sheryl Raphael Whitaker

Instagram | Sheryl Raphael Whitaker

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership

In this episode of Promoted with Denise Harris, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Fain, CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence and a global authority on mentoring and developmental networks. Lisa has built her career around helping organizations foster connection, inclusion, and growth, drawing on her background as an attorney, corporate leader, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is also the co-author of Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring and The Mentor’s Guide, 3rd Edition, and her recent TEDx talk, Want to Make a Bigger Impact? Build Better Connections, has inspired many to rethink how relationships drive success.

Our conversation explored Lisa’s personal journey into mentorship and the inspiration she found in connecting diversity and inclusion work with the transformational power of mentoring. She explained how strong developmental relationships, both formal and informal, create accountability, bridge differences, and ultimately transform not only careers but also workplace culture. Lisa emphasized that mentorship is never one-size-fits-all; it can take many shapes, from peer and cross-functional relationships to reverse mentoring, and it always thrives when built with intentionality.

A key theme we discussed was the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship. While mentorship is a reciprocal, co-created learning relationship that builds psychological safety, sponsorship is about advocacy. Sponsors are champions who open doors and recommend you for opportunities when you’re not in the room. Lisa stressed that women, and particularly women of color, benefit from having both, as each plays a crucial role in advancement. She also underscored that it’s never too late to find a mentor, whether you’re just entering the workforce or leading at the highest levels, because mentoring is fundamentally about learning, growth, and possibility.

We also touched on her favorite books, including Tara Mohr’s Playing Big, which helped shape her own leadership journey. Our conversation was a powerful reminder that mentorship and connection are not just career accelerators, they are transformative forces that help us show up more fully, lead with authenticity, and create more inclusive workplaces.

If you want to learn how to build better connections and unlock new possibilities in your career, this episode is for you.

Additional Links & Resources:

Lisa’s TedX: How intentional connections can boost your career

Book | Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring, by Lisa Fain & Lois Zachary

Book | The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund & Benjamin Zander

Book | Playing Big, by Tara Mohr

Book | Finding Your Own North Star, by Martha Beck

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn | Center for Mentoring Excellence

Website | Center for Mentoring

Instagram | lzfain

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership

Welcome back to Promoted with Denise Harris—the podcast where leaders come
to grow.

Season 1 gave us incredible conversations with trailblazers like Valencia McClure, Debbie Wissel, Julia Pimsleur, and Gilda Squire—each one sharing hard-earned wisdom on carving out their path to success.

Now, Season 2 is here… and we’re turning it up a notch! This season is all about thinking bigger, owning your voice, and bringing the kind of energy that makes your goals inevitable.

We’ll talk about the path to success, yes. But also about the real stuff: the
obstacles, the pivots, and the mindset shifts that make the difference between
staying where you are… and getting promoted.

Whether you’re eyeing that next role, building your influence, or simply ready to
step into more of your own power—this is your space.

I’m Denise Harris, Executive Coach and your guide for these conversations. Join
me and a lineup of remarkable guests as we unlock the strategies, the stories, and
the spark you need to rise.

Find Promoted with Denise Harris on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, or wherever
you get your podcasts.

Season 2 starts now—let’s grow, let’s rise, let’s get promoted.

Welcome to the Promoted with Denise Harris podcast, where we have impactful conversations about navigating our careers, how to stand out and of course, how to get promoted.

In the episode we’re joined by Gilda Squire. Gilda founded Squire Media & Management, Inc. in 2008. The boutique management and PR firm The firm manages public relations for actor Wendell Pierce, who earned his first performance Tony Award nomination for an historic portrayal of Willy Loman in Broadway’s Death of a Salesman; Courtney B. Vance, whose stunning portrayal as “Johnnie Cochran” on FX’s The People vs. OJ Simpson earned him EMMY, Critics Choice, and NAACP Image awards; and Honorary Oscar Recipient Angela Bassett, who is one of the most gifted and beloved actresses of this era.

Prior to founding Squire Media & Management, Gilda served as a Director of Publicity at HarperCollins Publishers. She was responsible for overseeing publicity and book tours for the corporation's Amistad imprint, as well as several titles under the publisher's flagship HarperCollins imprint. Gilda was named one of Crain New York Business’s Notable Black Leaders in 2023, one of the Most Influential People in Dance by Dance Magazine in 2017, one of Culture Shift Lab’s 20 People to Watch in 2015, and one of Hello Beautiful’s 25 Women to Know in 2015. Squire Media is a member of the NYNJ Minority Supplier Development Council.

Gilda discusses her journey in the fields of public relations, talent management, and media training. She shares insights into launching her firm during the 2008 financial crisis, overcoming challenges, and the importance of personal branding. Highlighting examples from her work with high-profile clients like Misty Copeland, Angela Bassett, and Courtney B. Vance, Gilda emphasizes the role of storytelling, effective communication, and strategic planning in building a successful brand. She also discusses the impact of social media and podcasts on personal branding and offers advice for professionals looking to enhance their career prospects.

Prepare for an inspiring conversation on the power of personal branding!

Additional Links & Resources:

Book | The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

Book | Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett

Connect with Gilda:

LinkedIn | Gilda Squire

Website | Squire Media & Management

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership

Welcome to the Promoted with Denise Harris podcast, where we have impactful conversations about navigating our careers, how to stand out and of course, how to get promoted.

In the episode, the focus is on the critical role of communication in leadership.  Great leaders aren't just great talkers. They know how to listen. They understand that communication isn't just about delivering a message, it's about how that message is received.

 They also recognize that self-awareness is the secret ingredient to being a leader who doesn't just speak, but one who truly connects. In this episode we'll break down what it really means to communicate as a leader, how to cultivate trust, how to make your words matter, and why your ability to communicate effectively can be the key to your next big promotion.

So whether you're leading a team, preparing for a big career move, or simply want to strengthen your leadership presence, this episode is for you. So grab your notebook, find a comfortable spot, and let's get into it!

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership

Welcome to the Promoted with Denise Harris podcast, where we have impactful conversations about navigating our careers, how to stand out and of course, how to get promoted.

In the episode we’re joined by Tamara Fields. Tamara Fields is the U.S. Public Service Industry Lead at Accenture, where she drives operational efficiency for government entities through transformative back-office solutions and innovative applications of generative AI. Her work ensures the smooth functioning of governments while making a tangible impact on communities—reflecting her deep belief that public service is integral to the fabric of society.

In addition, Tamara serves as the Office Managing Director for Accenture in Austin, where she leads efforts to bring innovation to clients, attract and retain top talent, and strengthen Accenture’s presence in the Austin community.

 Today we are diving into what it truly means to redefine leadership and amplify influence, and I couldn't think of a better guest to explore this with than Tamara Fields. With more than two decades of cross-industry, multilateral project management experience, she delivers creative, strategic, and complex solutions to better serve clients.

 Get ready for an insightful conversation on leadership, influence, and the power of innovation!

Additional Links & Resources:

Book | Multipliers, How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smart by Liz Wiseman

Connect with Tamara:

LinkedIn | Tamara Fields

Connect with Denise:

Website | Denise Harris Leadership

LinkedIn | Denise Harris Leadership