We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Liebetrau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, what role has risk played in your life or career?
What feels like a risk to me may not feel like a risk to someone else. I have learned that taking calculated, intentional risks can pay off in big ways. I like the phrase “do it afraid” because most of the time you aren’t going to get rid of the fear. Instead, you can assess the situation and decide how to move forward with courage. The real power is in recognizing that you are resourceful and can ask for help. For instance, when I started my business, I knew how large corporations functioned because they had been my employer for 20 plus years. But I didn’t know how to run a small business as an entrepreneur. So, I found a program that helped me gain the skills to successfully operate my business. And I kept asking for help from others who were further along in their entrepreneurial journey. This sped up my learning and allowed me to gain insights quickly. I also believe in “failing fast.” If you fail, that means you tried something. Too often we don’t act because we want to have the outcome be perfect. That isn’t a realistic goal. Instead try something. Keep moving forward by acting and learn as you go.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I started my Compensation Consulting business (www.ProsperConsultingLLC.com) five years ago after spending more than 20 years working as an HR and Compensation leader for Fortune 500 firms. As a human capital management and global compensation expert, I believe that rewarding the right behaviors drives business success. I have a team of experienced Compensation Consultants that help me ensure our clients are attracting and retaining the right talent to meet their strategic goals.

I also recognized, while I was inhouse as a compensation leader, that a lot of employees were not negotiating their pay in a way that was helping them get paid what they are worth. So, as a Pay Negotiation Coach I partner with high performers during their pay negotiations as new hires, when they are promoted, or if they are under paid. Having difficult conversations around pay and performance is one of my superpowers.

Another is my ability to coach executives (Director/VP+) so they can gain clarity on their personal and professional definition of success. I partner with them to design a coaching program that will meet their needs and deliver the insight and outcomes that support their success journey. Emotional intelligence and executive presence are often blind spots that need attention. With the use of 360-degree assessments, I help them gain self-awareness and create a roadmap that unlocks their potential.

I give back to the community by serving on boards for the Private Directors Association (Colorado Chapter Co-President) and the Rocky Mountain HR People & Strategy Association. Given my expertise, MBA, and experience at firms like CenturyLink (now Lumen Technologies), Newmont, and First Data (now Fiserv), I am looking for my next board position in a small to mid-sized company.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Of course, I’d take them downtown to experience some amazing food. We would go to the mountains and enjoy Grand Lake and the Rocky Mountain National Park for a couple days. We would also  go to Red Rocks for a hike and attend a concert or music festival in the area. And depending on their energy, we may also go to the Denver Zoo, Botanical Gardens, or the Denver Art Museum. If they wanted something quieter and less busy, we would go to Belmar in Lakewood, Morrison, or Evergreen.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Credit and recognition go to my parents for much of my success. I grew up on a farm in Kansas and my Mom and Dad have always been great examples. They are smart, hardworking, and compassionate members of their community. I remember waking up early to do chores and being outside a lot as a kid. There was always something that needed to be done and it took each of us doing our part to have something to harvest at the end of the growing season.

I also recognize that I was lucky to have terrific managers and co-workers during my career. Surround yourself with people that you can learn from and that you want to be like. The variety of perspectives, different industries, and high standards I was surrounded by helped me become the capable businessperson I am today.

Website: https://prosperconsultingllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prosperconsultingllc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseliebetrau/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeniseLiebetrau

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dliebetrau/

Image Credits
Photos by by Benjamin Skigen Photography

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