Best Kristen Wade Executive Coach And Mentor For HR Professionals Podcasts (2025)

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29: Breaking the Rules to Protect Your Energy in Human Resources 8:40

11h ago8:40

8:40

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 …

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28: You Are More Productive Than You Realize 7:16

7d ago7:16

7:16

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 p…

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27: Is Your HR Office Viewed As The Dentist Office? 7:56

14d ago7:56

7:56

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 …

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26: “Don’t Be Afraid. Be Focused. Be Determined.” 5:56

21d ago5:56

5:56

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 t…

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25: Traditional HR Executive Presence Doesn’t Work Anymore! 5:05

28d ago5:05

5:05

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 It’s outdated.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 workplace…

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24: Are You Dying From A Thousand HR Papercuts? 9:48

1M ago9:48

9:48

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, …

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23: Is Kool-Aid the Key to Your HR Success? 10:26

1M ago10:26

10:26

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…

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22: Have You Built Your HR Ark? 9:33

2M ago9:33

9:33

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…

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21: Is It Time To Reset Your HR Self? 7:55

2M ago7:55

7:55

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 …

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20: The One-Foot Principle for HR Growth 9:50

2M ago9:50

9:50

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 engageme…

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19: How To Keep Your HR Conversations From Going Up In Smoke 7:42

2M ago7:42

7:42

One of my favorite things about summer is spending time around a bonfire at night. There’s something almost magical about watching the flames dance under the stars. But there’s an interesting process that happens when you're making that fire that always gets me thinking about communication. When you build a fire, you start with a few small embers—m…

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18: What the Heck is an HR Executive Coach Anyways? 11:53

3M ago11:53

11:53

Welcome back to my HR Higher Version podcast where I want you to become a higher version of yourself. No matter what stage you are at in your career, or what level you want to achieve, you can always strive to be a better version of yourself. If you’ve been listening to my podcast, you probably know that I have worked in the field of Human Resource…

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17: The Best Way to Implement Your HR Ideas 6:59

3M ago6:59

6:59

A friend of mine returned from an HR conference the other day. I asked her how it went, and she raved about the breakout sessions, the networking opportunities, and the fresh ideas she came back with. She was buzzing with excitement about implementing all these new strategies in the office. But then, something happened. As soon as she stepped back …

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16: The Missing Ingredient in Your HR Leadership Journey 7:51

3M ago7:51

7:51

When I was about ten years old, I decided I was going to make cookies. Not just any cookies, mind you, but my mom’s famous butterscotch chip cookies. They are absolute perfection—crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle, and those butterscotch chips just melt in your mouth. Now, my mom was the expert baker, and I was just a kid. But that didn’t …

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15: Discover the Key To Overcoming HR Setbacks 8:26

3M ago8:26

8:26

Today we’re diving into a theme that might sound simple but carries a powerful lesson for leadership: “I’m OK.” I want to take you back to when my kids were little. You know, those early years when they’re constantly on the go, running around, tripping, falling, and then bouncing back up like nothing happened? I’m sure you’ve seen it—little ones tr…

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14: How a HR Lunch n Learn Changed My Daughter’s Life 7:31

4M ago7:31

7:31

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 An…

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13: How to Shine Light on Your HR Potential 8:11

4M ago8:11

8:11

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 h…

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12: Become an HR Leader, Instead of an HR Follower 10:11

4M ago10:11

10:11

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 y…

1
11: Mastering the Art of Asking Strategic HR Questions 10:59

4M ago10:59

10:59

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 askin…

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10: A Blue Raspberry Candy Can Save Your HR Career 13:11

4M ago13:11

13:11

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 …

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9: Make This The Year You Finally Take Your HR Career To The Next Level 11:41

5M ago11:41

11:41

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, t…

1
8: Are You Afraid to Become an HR Executive? 9:47

5M ago9:47

9:47

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, …

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7: What Makes You Stand Out as an HR Professional? 9:19

5M ago9:19

9:19

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 under…

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6: Do You Know If You Have Accomplished Your HR Goals? 8:54

5M ago8:54

8:54

In addition to daily goals, I set three bigger weekly goals that I want to accomplish. I usually set aside a specific time that I can reflect on the previous week and then set my top three things that I want to accomplish for the upcoming week. This has been a particularly busy couple of weeks for me. And I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t spend …

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5: Transforming Errors into Leadership Lessons 10:57

6M ago10:57

10:57

Have you ever had that sinking feeling when you realize that you’ve made a mistake? Of course you have, we’ve all made mistakes. Mistakes happen. Maybe it was a missed deadline, a miscalculated decision, or even a miscommunication with a colleague. We’ve all been there. But there are few things that I hate more than making mistakes. I kick myself a…

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4: How Solutions Can Skyrocket Your HR Career 9:39

6M ago9:39

9:39

In the dynamic world of HR, challenges are inevitable—be it staffing issues, employee conflicts, or navigating new regulations. But how you address those challenges can significantly shape your career trajectory. Imagine walking into a meeting with your boss, ready to discuss an issue, you explain the problem, but when asked for solutions, you’re l…

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3: The One Thing That's Better Than Having More Hours In Your Day 10:50

6M ago10:50

10:50

Wouldn’t it be great if we had more hours in our day? Or would it really be the solution we’re hoping for? The idea of more time sounds tempting, but would it actually solve our problems, or just add to the chaos? I mean, who among us hasn’t wished for that extra hour to finally catch up on work, dive into that project we’ve been putting off, or ev…

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2: The #1 Way HR Professionals Can Affect Employee Happiness 8:21

6M ago8:21

8:21

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 …

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1: The Road from Human Resources Intern to Director 12:04

7M ago12:04

12:04

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, wh…

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HR Higher Version Podcast 1:38

8M ago1:38

1:38

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 …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Kristen Wade Executive Coach And Mentor For HR Professionals Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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HR Higher Version Podcast

Kristen Wade, Executive Coach and Mentor for HR Professionals

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29: Breaking the Rules to Protect Your Energy in Human Resources 8:40

1
28: You Are More Productive Than You Realize 7:16

1
27: Is Your HR Office Viewed As The Dentist Office? 7:56

1
26: “Don’t Be Afraid. Be Focused. Be Determined.” 5:56

1
25: Traditional HR Executive Presence Doesn’t Work Anymore! 5:05

1
24: Are You Dying From A Thousand HR Papercuts? 9:48

1
23: Is Kool-Aid the Key to Your HR Success? 10:26

1
22: Have You Built Your HR Ark? 9:33

1
21: Is It Time To Reset Your HR Self? 7:55

1
20: The One-Foot Principle for HR Growth 9:50

1
19: How To Keep Your HR Conversations From Going Up In Smoke 7:42

1
18: What the Heck is an HR Executive Coach Anyways? 11:53

1
17: The Best Way to Implement Your HR Ideas 6:59

1
16: The Missing Ingredient in Your HR Leadership Journey 7:51

1
15: Discover the Key To Overcoming HR Setbacks 8:26

1
14: How a HR Lunch n Learn Changed My Daughter’s Life 7:31

1
13: How to Shine Light on Your HR Potential 8:11

1
12: Become an HR Leader, Instead of an HR Follower 10:11

1
11: Mastering the Art of Asking Strategic HR Questions 10:59

1
10: A Blue Raspberry Candy Can Save Your HR Career 13:11

1
9: Make This The Year You Finally Take Your HR Career To The Next Level 11:41

1
8: Are You Afraid to Become an HR Executive? 9:47

1
7: What Makes You Stand Out as an HR Professional? 9:19

1
6: Do You Know If You Have Accomplished Your HR Goals? 8:54

1
5: Transforming Errors into Leadership Lessons 10:57

1
4: How Solutions Can Skyrocket Your HR Career 9:39

1
3: The One Thing That's Better Than Having More Hours In Your Day 10:50

1
2: The #1 Way HR Professionals Can Affect Employee Happiness 8:21

1
1: The Road from Human Resources Intern to Director 12:04

1
HR Higher Version Podcast 1:38

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