Today I want to share a story that’s a little bit unexpected—about how sometimes the most impactful moments in our lives come from things we weren’t particularly interested in at the time.

It’s all about being open to new ideas and finding opportunities when we least expect them.

I want to take you back to a time when I was working as a Benefits Analyst. I had many different responsibilities—one of which was setting up lunch n learns for employees.

These sessions were meant to provide valuable information, but I'll be honest, not every topic excited me. One of those topics was about sleep apnea.

At the time, I wasn’t particularly invested in the subject. So I introduced the speaker, kicked off the lunch n learn and sat in the back of the room only half paying attention to what was being said.

Then one sentence the speaker said, made me sit straight up and pay attention.

Little did I know, that lunch n learn would end up being pivotal in my family’s life.

Kristen Wade helps HR professionals who want to reach the executive level,
to stop putting out fires and become more strategic with their time. For individual support, apply for Kristen's Signature Program here and she'll be in touch to invite you to a free discovery call.

Or if you're ready to ensure your unique values shine, grab a Personal Branding Strategy Session with Kristen here.

Imagine for a moment that you’re in an art museum. You walk into this beautiful, grand space filled with incredible works of art—paintings, sculptures, installations—each one more impressive than the last.

Now, picture this: The lights are off. You’re surrounded by masterpieces, but you can’t see any of them clearly. The beauty is there, but it’s hidden in the dark.

Sounds a bit frustrating, doesn’t it? You know something amazing is in front of you, but you just can’t fully appreciate it.

Here’s the twist: You are the artwork. And your leadership potential is the masterpiece that needs to be illuminated for the world to see.

In today’s episode, we’re going to explore how you can shine a light on your own HR leadership potential. Just like a museum needs light to make its art visible, you need the right tools, strategies, and mindset to bring your unique leadership qualities to the forefront.

Without that light, even the most extraordinary potential remains hidden, unseen, and underappreciated.

So, let’s dive into how you can turn the lights on in your career and ensure your leadership is not just visible, but shining brightly.

Kristen Wade helps HR professionals who want to reach the executive level,
to stop putting out fires and become more strategic with their time. For individual support, apply for Kristen's Signature Program here and she'll be in touch to invite you to a free discovery call.

Or if you're ready to ensure your unique values shine, grab a Personal Branding Strategy Session with Kristen here.

Today we’re diving into a question that could completely transform how you view your role within your organization: Are you an HR Leader or an HR Follower?

Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify what I mean by this. I’m not talking about your title or your level of authority. I’m talking about your approach, your mindset, and the way you show up in your work every single day.

Are you proactively shaping the direction of your HR career, or are you waiting to be told what to do?

To bring this to life, let me share an embarrassing fact. My husband and I love to dance—well, he loves to dance, and I love to think I can lead.

A few weeks ago, we were at a social event, and as we were dancing, I could tell we were out of sync. He kept pulling me in one direction, and I kept trying to go another. Finally, he stopped mid-dance and said, "Would you quite trying to lead!”

In that moment, I realized how true it was—on the dance floor, as in life, someone needs to lead for things to flow smoothly. And here's the thing: in the workplace, especially in HR, we often find ourselves in a similar dance.

The question is, are you following someone else’s lead or are you taking charge of your own HR career, shaping your team’s direction, and creating a strategic presence at the executive table?

Kristen Wade helps HR professionals who want to reach the executive level,
to stop putting out fires and become more strategic with their time. For individual support, apply for Kristen's Signature Program here and she'll be in touch to invite you to a free discovery call.

Or if you're ready to ensure your unique values shine, grab a Personal Branding Strategy Session with Kristen here.