I grew up in a small Iowa town where life was simple and sweet. We played outside for hours, rode our bikes all over town, explored creeks and parks, and soaked up nature. As I got older and became a teenager, I began to stretch beyond our little community, eager to see what else was out there.

At One Above HR, we believe thriving companies don’t just happen—they’re intentionally built from the inside out. One of the most powerful ways we help businesses thrive is by partnering with leaders at every level to create a culture where people feel like they truly belong. We walk alongside leadership teams to help them foster deeper connections and meaningful relationships with their employees. When people feel seen, valued, and safe, incredible things happen—not just for them, but for the entire organization.

Succession planning is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of business strategy. Many organizations wait too long to begin the process, treating leadership transitions as an event rather than a journey. We work with clients to understand the complex and critical steps to managing and navigating healthy transitions.  We believe the three key aspects of a successful succession plan are time, personalized approach, and communication.

As I reflect on how I got here - to this place and time. So much of it comes from my past. Each phase of life that challenged me occasionally broke me and grew me. Part of my monthly blog will be sharing these stories. My prayer is that it challenges you to share your story to create real connections with others. Never forget that each moment and each adventure helps to shape the amazing person you are today.

We all have a story. It’s what makes us special and unique. I don’t know about you but I love hearing people share their unique life experiences, lessons, triumphs, and struggles. And yet, so many of us hesitate to share our stories. We hold back, stay quiet, and keep our most meaningful moments locked away. But why? I spent some time this month personally thinking about what holds me back.

As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reinforce to our team members that they matter by creating space to listen, and foster creativity, collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose within our teams. By celebrating perspectives and aligning our goals with a unified vision, we can not only set the stage for innovation and success in 20245 but, more importantly, foster meaningful connections. Here’s how we can embrace this approach:

January can often feel like a challenging month. After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the colder winter weather can push us into a feeling of isolation. The thought of starting fresh with new goals might feel daunting. However, January is also an incredible opportunity to bring intention, purpose, and connection into our routines—especially in the workplace.