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.