In this episode of The Belonging Project, I’m joined by Carol Paddison, a people leader with over 20 years of experience, and now co-founder of Fractional Human Resources. Carol shares her journey from in-house HR leadership to co-creating a consultancy that brings senior-level HR expertise to small and scaling businesses—just when they need it, and only as much as they need.

We talk about the evolving landscape of HR, the importance of fostering belonging in organisations, and the unique challenges faced by startups and scale-ups.

Carol shares her insights on the differences between traditional HR roles and modern people-centric approaches (the differences between HR and People & Culture teams), emphasising the need for flexibility and inclusivity in the workplace.

Flexibility is probably my favorite one. We implemented flexible bank holidays, remembers Carol.

The conversation also touches on the role of leadership in creating a culture of belonging and the impact of hybrid work arrangements on employee engagement.

How can leaders foster belonging in SMEs? asks Fiorenza

Vulnerability is really key for leaders, replies Carol

Carol also shares brilliant insights on making people feel safe and seen at work, why performance frameworks shouldn’t be about ticking boxes, and how clear, values-led communication builds trust across teams.

Whether you’re a founder, a people leader, or navigating your own career pivot into the HR space, there’s so much wisdom in this conversation.

Key moments

02:51 Carol's Journey in HR

04:35 HR vs People & Culture terminology

06:54 Characteristics of HR in start-ups and scale-ups

08:25 Tools to foster belonging in start-ups and scale-ups

14:09 The Role of HR in Belonging

16:14 Leadership's Influence on Belonging

18:53 The Impact of Hybrid Work on Belonging

22:30 Integrating Belonging into HR Practices

24:31 Personal Experiences Shaping HR Perspectives

Connect with Carol:🔗 LinkedIn – Carol Pattison🌐 Fractional HR Website

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🎧 Listen now to hear:✔️ What founders get wrong (and right!) about HR✔️ The beauty of designing work around your life and values✔️ How to create a culture of trust and transparency from day one✔️ Why HR should always be more than just processes and policies

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