HR Higher Version Podcast

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.  ...

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, yo...

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.    B...

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.  ...

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 mo...

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 e...

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 noddi...

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...

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 lea...

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 execut...

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 y...

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...

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-pa...

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...

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 importa...

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...

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 ar...

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 the...

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 int...

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. Leade...

When you’re asked the question – Are you dying from a thousand HR papercuts? You may automatically think about all the little administrative tasks that steal your time and energy.   And that is an entirely fair assumption. We all get stuck in the daily minutia that is essential, but doesn’t necessarily move the needle in your career.   Today, however, I’m talking about your Personal Brand.      Th...

Have you ever heard of a limiting belief? It’s that little voice inside your head that tells you that you aren’t good enough or smart enough or too old or too young or you don’t have enough time. Those beliefs can stem from past experiences, criticisms, or societal expectations. But the worst part, is that you believe them to be true. Those beliefs stop you from achieving, accomplishing or even pu...

Regardless of your religious or spiritual affiliation, you’ve probably heard the story of Noah’s Ark. Where God told Noah that he was going to destroy the world and Noah should build an ark and put two of every kind of animal on it.   I want you to think about something for a minute - It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.   This may seem like a no-brainer, but when you really think about it,...

Whether you’re already leading a team or on the path to becoming an HR executive, you know that the road to success can sometimes feel like a series of hurdles—challenges you’re expected to solve on a daily basis, decisions that require your expertise, and the constant balancing act of leading others while also managing your own career growth. But here’s the thing: When you're so focused on p...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that speaks directly to the heart of what you do every day: balancing priorities.   As an HR leader, your role is filled with decisions that affect your organization, its people, and your own professional growth.   Whether you're juggling recruitment, leadership development, compliance, or employee engagement, there’s never a shortage of things on...