Welcome back to Promoted. In this very real and authentic episode, Felicity Furey and Renee Wootton Tomlin open up about what it really means to lead yourself through seasons of grief, burnout and personal challenge.
After a year that tested them both in different ways - Renee navigating the loss of her beloved grandparents, and Felicity recovering from burnout - this conversation explores the unseen personal leadership work that happens behind the scenes. The kind no one applauds, that doesn’t come with a promotion title but does determine who you become next.
Together, they unpack how personal challenges impact your identity, confidence and capacity at work, and why self-leadership is often the most important leadership skill you’ll ever build. They share how they navigated emotional processing, energy management, boundaries and rebuilding belief and what they would do differently if faced with it again.
This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t just come from big wins. Sometimes it comes from quietly choosing to keep showing up, one hard day at a time.
Takeaways:
If you’re navigating a tough season right now, or supporting someone who is, this episode will remind you that strength isn’t about pretending you’re fine. It’s about leading yourself forward, even when the path feels uncertain.
