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, quiet nights, and how a shift in routine helped me reconnect with what really mattered - and how this applies to you as an HR leader trying to balance your work and your life.

Let’s talk about how breaking the pattern, just once, can actually bring you back to center.

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.

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 week?

No, really. I want you to pause for just a moment and think about that. What was your actual win last week?

You might be surprised by what comes to mind. And that’s exactly what today’s episode is all about.

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.

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 something is wrong.”

Sound familiar?

Just like no one wants to go to the dentist, no one really wants to get called to the HR office.

It usually signals a problem - conflict, compliance issues, maybe even job uncertainty.

But the truth is: both dentists and HR professionals play essential roles in preventing long-term damage.

The earlier you as an HR professional are involved, the healthier the outcome - whether we’re talking gums or teams.

So today, we’re diving into how to transform the perception of HR - particularly in those hard moments - by using your executive leadership skills to build trust, navigate tough conversations, and shift the culture.

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’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.

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.

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.

The real secret to executive presence? Drop the act.

In this episode, I’m going to talk about how to be a truly authentic leader and why being vulnerable is a game changer.

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.

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.

That’s right. In today’s highly competitive business world, having a strong personal brand is essential to breaking through the noise and positioning yourself for executive opportunities.

If you're stuck dealing with endless HR "papercuts," you might be missing the opportunity to establish yourself as a leader and influencer in your field.

So, let’s dive into why your personal brand matters and how you can begin to build it -because it’s one of the most powerful ways to move from “just” a good HR professional to a great HR leader.

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.

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 pursuing your dreams.

A limiting belief can also manifest as making you think that the things that you’re currently doing don’t matter or aren’t good enough. That the little steps aren’t important and, unless you’re making big moves, you aren’t successful.

I’ve certainly had my share of limiting beliefs over the years. I can even remember a vivid example of one of my first limiting beliefs when I was 6 years old.

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.

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, there’s a deep lesson here. Noah didn’t wait for the storm to hit before he started preparing.

He didn’t wait until the skies darkened, the winds picked up, or the floodwaters started rising. He took proactive steps well before disaster struck, which ultimately allowed him to survive and thrive when the storm came.

As an HR leader, you’re likely no stranger to uncertainty. The landscape of work is always shifting.

If you're only reacting to the storm though as it happens, you’ll find yourself constantly scrambling to stay afloat. But like Noah, the key to success is preparation before the storm hits.

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.