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.

If you’re an HR professional, just like many other professionals, I’m sure you've asked your fair share of questions in your career. But, do you know when to ask them—and when to hold back? That’s the question we’re tackling today.

If you’ve been around a two-year-old, you know they ask a lot of questions, often starting with ‘Why?’ And while asking questions is crucial for learning and clarifying things, there’s a point where the constant questioning can become tiring.

I’ve worked with supervisors who express frustration about employees who ask too many questions.

When you’re new, asking questions is expected. But as you progress in your role, it’s important to assess when questions become counterproductive. So, how do you strike the right balance? How do you know when to ask more questions, when to ask more strategic questions and when to pull back?"

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.

The other day I was leaving a meeting and the office had a dish of candy at their reception counter. So on my way out the door I grabbed a blue raspberry Jolly Rancher – because they are the best flavor of jolly rancher, right!!!

Later that afternoon, I stuck my tongue out in the mirror to see if it was blue. Of course it was, but I also noticed a black spot on the side of my tongue.

Now I guess I don’t typically look at my tongue, so although I didn’t really know how long it had been there, I know it’s not been there my whole life. I didn’t remember biting my tongue or anything that would have caused the spot.

In about 3 weeks I had a dentist appointment anyways so figured I would keep an eye on it and ask the dentist at that time. The dentist thought it was probably nothing, but consulted with his oral surgeon friend to be safe. The surgeon agreed it was probably nothing and I’ll just keep an eye on it.

Had it actually been a problem though, and had it not been for that blue raspberry jolly rancher – who knows how long it would’ve been before I discovered it.

So, my question for you is – what things in your career do you not look at or think about very often? Let’s talk about how you can regularly monitor your career so that you don’t miss the warning signs that could indicate disaster.

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.

Happy New Year! A new year is always an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to dream big. As an HR professional, you’re already great at supporting others, but what about your own growth?

What if this could be the year you transition from being a key contributor to a strategic executive leader? Do me a favor, as long as you’re not driving, take a minute to close your eyes and imagine that it is December 31, 2025. What would need to be true in order to say that 2025 has been your best year ever? I challenge you to really let that question sit with you for a moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of HR work – the employee concerns, the management challenges, the compliance requirements. But when was the last time you asked yourself, “What does success truly look like for me at the executive level?”

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 I’m tackling a subject that I’ve had experience with, and think many of you probably have too, and that is - fear.

Have you ever found yourself hesitating to take that next crucial step in your career because you worried you weren’t good enough or didn’t have all the skills mastered? You’re definitely not alone.

Fear can be a powerful force, often lurking in the background and holding us back from pursuing the very opportunities we desire. It whispers doubts. It magnifies our insecurities. It can even paralyze us in our tracks.

But what if I told you that fear doesn’t have to be a stop sign? Instead, it can serve as a compass, guiding you toward growth and self-discovery. The world of HR requires us to push past our comfort zones, take risks, and embrace the possibility of failure.

Whether you’re just starting out in HR, feeling stuck in your current role, or looking to make that leap into the executive suite, stay tuned. Together, we’ll turn those fears into stepping stones for success and unlock your potential.

Are you ready to dive in and discover how to turn fear into fuel for your career? Let’s get started!

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.

Dolly Parton once said, “Figure out who you are and do it on purpose.” It’s a powerful sentiment, and one that speaks directly to the heart of personal branding.

As HR professionals, the path to leadership requires more than just experience or technical skill; it calls for intentionality in shaping how others see you. This begins with a clear understanding of your values—those guiding principles that shape your actions, influence your decisions, and communicate what you stand for.

Just as Dolly suggests, success in leadership requires knowing who you are and living that out with purpose. Values are a defining component of who you are, and they’re more than a checklist of good qualities. They are aspirational, guiding you not just in who you are now, but who you want and need to become in order to reach the Executive level.

In this episode, we’ll explore how aligning your values with your career goals sets the foundation for an impactful personal brand.

Are you ready to figure out who you are and start doing it on purpose?

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.