The Empathy Edge

Courage to Advance: From HR Leader to Job Seeker: Mastering Authentic Career Transition with Karen Hague

Apr 17, 2025

45:40

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.

What happens when the HR executive who once handled outplacement for others suddenly finds herself on the receiving end? In a candid role-reversal conversation, Kim Bohr sits down with Karen Hague, a former Head of HR who experienced executive outplacement firsthand and transformed that challenge into an opportunity by becoming a career coach for executives facing similar transitions. Together, they explore how leaders can navigate career disruption with grace, purpose, and strategic vision.

This candid conversation reveals how outplacement—often viewed as an ending—can become a powerful catalyst for professional growth and personal transformation. Karen shares vulnerable insights from both sides of the table: implementing outplacement as an HR leader and experiencing it personally.

Discover practical strategies for building authentic professional relationships, leveraging your network effectively, and aligning your next career move with your core values. Learn why creating a structured approach to career transitions can transform uncertainty into opportunity.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

How to overcome the shame and vulnerability that often accompanies executive transitions
The critical importance of authenticity when crafting your transition story
Why values alignment should drive your next career decision
Practical networking strategies that build genuine two-way relationships
How organizations can approach outplacement with empathy and strategic wisdom

"When you show up as your authentic, transparent, vulnerable self, you're at your best. And it took me a while to realize what was my best, but I can't fake it. When I don't show up that way, it's not a good situation for anybody." — Karen Hague

About Karen Hague: Karen is an experienced HR leader and executive coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 30 years in human resources, her career spans roles across all HR disciplines, culminating as Head of HR for a company that transitioned from private equity ownership to public status during her tenure.

Karen's unique perspective comes from experiencing both sides of executive transitions—implementing outplacement strategies as an HR leader and navigating her own career pivot. Today, she channels this experience into coaching executives through career transitions, helping them discover authentic paths forward aligned with their values and strengths.

About SparkEffect:

SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.

Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.

Connect with Karen Hague:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhague/

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources:

sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com