Welcome back friends. Today’s episode is going to be a little different. Instead of diving into a leadership lesson or career strategy, I want to talk about the power of taking a step back. Sometimes, the most important move you can make in your career - and in your life - is to pause, reflect, and realign before moving forward. And that’s exactly what I’m going to be doing with this podcast. Why Pausing Matters As a leader, you were probably taught to keep pushing, keep p...

Let me ask you something - have you ever looked up, realized it’s September, and thought: “Wait a second… wasn’t it just January? Where did the year go?” I hear this all the time from executives and have thought it myself. You’ve been buried in meetings, racing through emails, putting out fires… and suddenly another quarter, another year, has slipped by. And instead of being proactive, you feel reactive - drifting instead of driving. Today, I want...

Have you ever said something that made perfect sense in your head… only to be met with blank stares from the people you’re talking to? Maybe you’ve repeated it - maybe louder this time - only to get the same confused reaction. Well, I’ve been there. In today’s episode, I’m going to tell you a story that involves SeaWorld, my kids, and a very famous whale - and I promise, there’s a point. Because whether you’re leading an HR team, presenting to the C-suite, or ...

Have you ever felt like you’re waiting for the perfect moment to make your next move? Maybe you’ve been thinking about a promotion… Or shifting your role into something more strategic… Or stepping into a bigger leadership identity. But instead of making the move, you’re… researching. Planning. Tinkering with your LinkedIn. Reading yet another article. Talking yourself in and out of it. If that’s you, I want you to really hear this: You can’t ...

Have you ever looked up from your jam-packed calendar and thought, “How did I get here?” You’ve been busy. You’ve been grinding. You’ve been putting out fires left and right. But somehow... you’re still in the same place. If that feels familiar, you’re not alone. As HR professionals and high-achievers, we’re often the go-to problem-solvers. We’re trained to react, to pivot, to keep things moving. But here’s the truth: You can’t lead effectively when you’re s...

You know the feeling: another back-to-back day, another week that flew by, another month where your goals stayed untouched because – well - everything felt urgent. Your calendar is full, your inbox is overflowing, your team leans on you constantly… and yet, at the end of the week, you're wondering: "What did I actually get done that mattered?" If you’re nodding along, this episode is for you. After 30+ years in HR leadership roles, I’ve seen exactly how often...

Hi friends. Today’s episode is a little personal - and I hope I’m not alone and this will resonate with many of you. Let me ask you something: Do you ever struggle to talk about your accomplishments? Do you cringe when someone says, “Tell me about what you’ve done”? Do you default to phrases like “we did this” or “the team made it happen,” even when you led the entire thing? If you’re nodding right now, you’re not alone. And good, I’m not alone. In this ...

Today, I want to talk to a very specific group of HR professionals. If you’re someone who: Gets physically tired just thinking about small talk,Feels like “connecting with people” is draining, not energizing,Loves the work of HR but dreads the interpersonal expectations of leadership… Then today’s episode is for you. Because I have heard it before: · You want to lead. · You want to be in the room where decisions are...

Welcome back to The HR Higher Version Podcast! This episode is going live just one day before the first session of my free HR Leadership Series kicks off. If you haven’t registered yet — There’s still time. You can find the link to register in the podcast show notes. Or you can simply go to my website at www.HRHigherVersion.com and download the free guide. You will be registered for the leadership series and also receive my free guide: 4 Ways HR Professionals Can Be More ...

Today I want to talk to you about something that comes up more often than you’d expect - even among smart, capable HR professionals. I was having a conversation the other day with a talented HR leader. She’s experienced, driven, and respected. But she said something that really stuck with me. She asked: "Can I really be successful if I show up as me? Or do I have to fit into some executive mold that doesn’t quite feel like mine?" Maybe you’ve asked yourself a versio...

Let me take you back 10 years - I was a high-performing HR professional, but I hit a career wall. I didn’t see a path forward. Promotion felt out of reach. And what made it harder? My organization wasn’t even interested in looking at internal candidates for promotion … because our HR department had a reputation problem. We were seen as transactional. As blockers. As the “no” people. Can you relate to that? And leadership feared that promoting some...

Welcome back to the HR Higher Version Podcast — the show dedicated to helping HR professionals unlock their leadership potential and build intentional, executive-level careers. I’m Kristen Wade, your executive coach, and today we’re going to talk about one of the most powerful but often overlooked tools you have in your career toolbox: your personal brand. If you missed last week’s episode, I announced a free 3-part leadership series to help HR pros like you break through career...

Welcome back to the HR Higher Version Podcast, where I help HR professionals unlock their full leadership potential and intentionally build the careers they deserve. I’m Kristen, your executive coach specializing in helping HR leaders break through the glass ceiling and land director and executive roles. Today, I’m thrilled to share something very special with you — a free, live, virtual, 3-part leadership series designed specifically for HR professionals who want to accelerate ...

Welcome back to the HR Higher Version Podcast — where I talk about what it really takes to grow your career in human resources, from the inside out. I’m Kristen Wade — executive coach, HR leader, and your go-to guide for getting unstuck and stepping into the next, higher version of your career. I’m especially excited about today’s episode, because it’s a message so many HR professionals need to hear — maybe even you. I’m talking about something I see stall careers over and over ...

Let me ask you something: Have you ever looked around and thought, “Why am I not further along by now?” You’ve done the work. You’ve gained the experience. You’re respected and reliable—and yet, the next level feels just out of reach. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Let’s dig into a career pattern I see all the time among incredibly talented HR professionals - and more importantly, we’re going to unpack what to do about it. So if you’re ready for an honest, strat...

Welcome to the Higher Version Podcast - the space where HR professionals and leaders like you explore intentional leadership, executive growth, and the messy but beautiful balance between work and life. Here’s a reflection for you today: Do you need a break from what you’re supposed to do? Not because it’s wrong. Not because it’s overwhelming. But because even the good things can become heavy if you never pause. Today I’m sharing a personal story about family dinners, qui...

Welcome back to the HR Higher Version podcast! I'm so glad you're here. Today, I want to talk about something that’s deceptively simple - but incredibly powerful. It's a mindset shift that helped me get through a chaotic week and still feel like I was making real progress. And I think it’s going to resonate especially well with you - my fellow HR professionals and leaders - who are often juggling a million priorities at once. Let me start with a question: What was your win last we...

I had some dental work done the other day and as I was sitting there with my mouth wide open, that little suction tube gurgling in my ear, it occurred to me… the dentist and I have a lot in common. And not just because I’ve had my fair share of dental work done over the years. But because I’ve regularly heard through the years – “You never want to be called into a room and then see HR sitting there.” “You don’t ever want to go see HR.” “The only time to call HR is when somet...

Today’s episode is centered around a quote I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. It’s from Michelle Obama. She said: “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined.” Simple. Powerful. And incredibly relevant to HR leaders. Because let’s be honest - fear is part of the journey. Whether you're navigating a tough conversation, advocating for a seat at the executive table, or preparing to step into your first C-suite role, fear shows up. But it’s what you do with that fear that matters. Krist...

Early in my career, I thought success meant being perfectly polished all the time. You know the look: tailored suit, calm voice, always in control, never showing emotion. I believed that was what executive presence meant - and honestly, a lot of us in HR were taught to think that way. But that version of leadership? It’s outdated. Today’s workplaces are craving something different. Leaders who are real. Leaders who are relatable. Leaders who are human. ...