One year ago, I was searching for something more. I have spent more than a decade in HR, dedicated mostly to HR Technology. In those years, I learned what I was meant to be doing; I just hadn’t figured out the where or how. I wondered if I’d make a bigger impact at a corporate firm or a smaller one where I could truly make a difference. In the end, I chose Kognitiv Inc.

I was terrified, thinking: “I can’t do consulting.” I didn’t have decades of industry specific experience. Imposter syndrome hit hard, but I soon realized my decade of in-house HRIS experience is consulting experience. Coming from the client side is my superpower - I deeply understand our clients' daily pain points, internal bureaucracy, and how they actually interact with the system on a day-to-day basis. Combine that hands-on experience with my passion for HR and technology, and I realized: I couldn’t lose. It hasn’t all been roses; some days a complex time calculation challenges me, but that makes the win sweeter! Juggling multiple tickets is a constant challenge, and keeping on top of each request is just as vital as solving the puzzle.

Looking back at the past 12 months, here are my top 5 lessons that stand out most: 

1. Open and honest communication - always. Communication is one of the (if not the) most important skills. Be honest with customers and teammates. If something is challenging, communicate it; they will appreciate it. Always ask for help—this is Workday, and at KOG, someone is always ready to lend a hand. From day one, new consultants are supported through structured onboarding, shadowing opportunities, and a peer-buddy system that creates a true safety net. No one is ever thrown to the wolves or left in a sink-or-swim environment.
   
   
2. Take every opportunity to learn. The technical world moves at an unimaginable pace. Take a few minutes to learn something new and share it. You never know when a new best practice will rock your world, allowing you to pass that knowledge on.
   
   
3. Think outside the box. Whether approaching a calculated field uniquely or identifying an opportunity to better serve the client, don't just follow the same processes. Otherwise, wonderful ideas will be squashed before they start.
   
   
4. Embrace the variety. In-house HR tech roles can sometimes feel like Groundhog Day—supporting the same modules and business processes year after year. At KOG, you are solving different puzzles for different companies, which acts as a career accelerator, fast-tracking your technical growth far faster than years in a single corporate role ever could.
   
   
5. Embrace who you are and pursue what you love. When you discover your natural strengths and align them with the right role, professional growth stops feeling like a chore and becomes a genuinely rewarding passion - truly embodying the idea that if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.

While we may not be changing the world, I do feel deeply that we are making it better. With every problem we solve and every system we elevate, we directly improve the work lives of our clients and their people. I love what I do, and I couldn’t ask for a better team. 

Whether you're a frustrated HRIS professional wondering if you're 'consultant material,' or a leader looking for a partner who actually gets the daily realities of your team - let’s talk. I'd love to share what I've learned or discuss how we can help tackle your next Workday challenge. DM me to start a conversation. 

By Shannon Rood