HR professionals like you are good with people and you love to see them grow. In fact, that may be your #1 favorite part of HR.

But how can you easily create friendly, inspiring environments for your employees?

Employees want to be appreciated and validated. A big part of that is feeling seen which helps them feel recognized for who they are. When people feel connected, they feel less isolated and more understood.

With over 30 years in the HR field, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of workplace culture — and let me tell you, it’s been a fascinating ride.

Remember the days when personal lives were left at the door? Well, things have changed. Today, we’re expected to create environments where employees can bring their whole selves to work.

It’s a great shift, but it raises some tough questions:

How do you foster real, human connections without crossing professional boundaries? And how do you build trust while respecting privacy?

Let’s talk about strategies to strike that balance in order to create a happy and productive workplace.

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.

So, you want to reach the executive level in HR. You want to make bigger decisions and have a seat at the table. How do you get there from here?

With strategy and an occasional setback, you can do it!

Let me take you behind the scenes of my personal career path in Human Resources — from an unexpected layoff to eventually becoming an HR Director, which is where I’ve been for the last 10 years.

But here’s the thing — my journey was not a straight line. It was filled with twists, tough lessons, and career-defining moments I never saw coming.

I’m about to share the highs, the lows, and how I strategically navigated each step, turning rejection into opportunity.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make a significant leap, the lessons I’ve learned will help you along the way. Listen for insights to build your deliberate and intentional career.

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.

Introduction to HR Higher Version Podcast

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.