People Management: A HR Leader’s Journey

The HR Leader Spotlight with Karen Kearns

Karen Kearns, HR Team Leader at Circana, shares her inspiring career journey that shows the path to success isn’t always a straight line. From the fast-paced world of high street fashion to a fulfilling career in HR, Karen’s story is a unique journey that showcases both adaptability and drive. She shares how embracing change, trusting her instincts and focusing on authentic human connection in people management have shaped her career. With thoughtful insights on adaptability, empathy and strategic foresight, Karen offers valuable guidance for anyone navigating their own professional journey in HR and beyond.

Q1. Was this the career path you had always planned? What avenues did you take to bring you to where you are today?

Funnily enough, my career journey wasn't a straight line at all. I actually started out in the world of high street fashion. After finishing my degree in Business and Marketing, I spent 14 years working my way up to a senior manager role in a fast-moving high street fashion company. But somewhere along the way, I realised that fashion retail wasn't where I wanted to stay forever. I took a bit of a career detour (what I like to call my 'plot twist') and decided to dive into HR. I took a break, went back to study Human Resource Management, and did an internship in the hospitality industry. It felt like a whole new world where my natural people skills really came into play. So no, I didn't always have this exact path in mind. But looking back, every step, from retail to hospitality to where I am now, was about connecting with people and helping them grow.

Q2. What was the best piece of career advice you ever received?

Always take the job where you like the people. In the end there is no clear career path, only great people along that path as your career unfolds. The best piece of career advice I ever received was to stay curious and open to change. Someone once told me, ‘Don’t be afraid to pivot if you realise you’re heading in a direction that doesn’t fit you anymore.’ That really resonated with me because it gave me the confidence to step out of a long career in retail and try something new in HR. It taught me that sometimes the best growth comes from those moments when you’re willing to embrace a bit of uncertainty and trust your instincts."

Q3. For those considering a career in Human Resources, what is one piece of advice you would give them?

For anyone stepping into HR, my advice is to remember the power of the little touchpoints. Don’t assume that people always have it all figured out, often they’re looking for more human connection and guidance than they openly show. Especially in a world that’s changed so much, being adaptable and resilient is key, but so is taking care of yourself outside of work. Focus on your well-being, your family and the things that make you happy beyond the office. When you do that, it shines through in how you support others and makes you a more grounded, authentic HR professional."

Q4. In your view, what are the top 3 strengths that define a successful HR professional today?

So the first one is definitely that forward-looking, strategic thinking; being able to look up and see around corners to anticipate what’s coming in the business.

The second strength is having that strong internal instinct about people, almost like a people intuition. Being able to sense where someone’s strengths lie, whether they’re more about soft skills or analytical skills and placing them in the right role.

And for the third one, you might want to highlight something like adaptability and empathy combined - the ability to flex and connect with people as the workplace evolves. So putting it all together, you’d have three strengths: strategic foresight, a strong instinct for placing people where they thrive and the ability to adapt with empathy.

I do think those early experiences in retail or hospitality are invaluable. They teach you resilience and, more importantly, how to navigate and understand people. In HR, that’s gold, being able to tune into what people need so you can support and guide them effectively.

Q5. Over your career, what would you consider to be your best memory or achievement?

Looking back, one of my best career memories from my retail days was opening new stores and seeing them go from zero to thriving. There was a real buzz in watching a team come together, build something successful and ultimately seeing those relationships grow. But the highlight for me was always the people, watching them find their footing, develop their skills and enjoy their work was incredibly rewarding.

In my HR career, I’d say my proudest achievements are those moments where I've been able to support people along their career paths and watch them step into roles they truly deserve. Seeing someone grow, get promoted and flourish, knowing I had a hand in that journey, that’s definitely my best memory."

Q6. If you were entering the workforce again, would you do anything differently?

If I were starting out again, I think I’d lean into a bit more one-to-one coaching and maybe try some aptitude or personality tests if they’d been as available back then. When I was first entering the workforce in the early 2000s, career guidance wasn’t quite as prominent as it is today. Unless you were heading into something very specific, like medicine or law, you were often left to figure it out on your own. Nowadays, younger folks have so many more resources and growth opportunities to explore, and it’s not just about jumping straight into making money. But I do think those early experiences in retail or hospitality are invaluable. They teach you resilience and, more importantly, how to navigate and understand people. In HR, that’s gold, being able to tune into what people need so you can support and guide them effectively.

Q7. If you weren’t in your current profession, what possible path would you have chosen?

You know, if I weren't in HR today, there's a little part of me that once dreamed of being a vet or a veterinary nurse. I actually spent a year studying veterinary nursing and even did a stint at a local practice. But let’s just say the first time I saw blood, I fainted, so that was a pretty clear sign that maybe that wasn’t my calling! I’ve always loved animals, but I realised I might not have quite had the medical mindset for it. Still, it’s a fun 'what if' from my past!"

Karen's insights on people management, career pivots and authentic leadership are valuable for anyone looking to build a career in HR or for those starting out in a people management role. Thank you Karen for sharing your story and your advice!