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.

Why Pausing Matters
As a leader, you were probably taught to keep pushing, keep producing, and keep showing up without stopping.

But the truth is, nonstop momentum isn’t always progress.

Email me at Kristen@HRHigherVersion.com to get more details on The Executive Reset Workshop!

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.

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, you feel reactive - drifting instead of driving.

Today, I want to talk about what happens when you don’t hit pause, and how a September reset can help you get intentional again - with your career, your health, and your life outside of work.

And I’ll also share something new I’m offering this fall that’s designed to help you do exactly that.

Email me at Kristen@HRHigherVersion.com to get more details on The Executive Reset Workshop!

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 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.

Because whether you’re leading an HR team, presenting to the C-suite, or just trying to get your own kids to cooperate for a photo, how you communicate can make or break the moment.

I’ll explore how intention doesn’t always equal impact, why clarity is kindness, and what this has to do with your role as an HR leader.

Plus, I’ll share some practical communication strategies you can start using immediately to increase trust, connection, and influence.

Let’s dive in.

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.