November: Seasonal Shifts & Strategic Sparks

I will let you into a behind the scenes, I am writing this from a place of comfort, curled up on my sofa, two cats sleeping next to me as I lean into practicing what I preach!

Because, just like that, the 1st of the month has come around again and as November is one of the ‘arc’ months at P&M, the focus is all about rhythm, reflection, and renewal.

I have started to talk about why I have shifted into a cyclical leadership model within the business, simply I recognised that this approach aligns so beautifully with our four values, that we lead with emotionally intelligent HR, and we openly already promote the key principles. Of course, we have added our own P&M twist to it.

So as I sit, firmly in reflection mode, I allow time for the science to kick in. There is a part of the brain that fires up ‘default mode network’ and this activates all the great stuff like self awareness, gives you time to process thoughts and experiences and helps with planning and regulating emotions. I have simplified something very complex, but this is why in November, my challenge to you is to see what happens, after you stop and snuggle under that blanket, just pause and see what sparks of insights appear.

The rise of ‘fractional’ HR

The core base of our consultancy has always been about working with founders and leaders, as we help shape their people plans, visions and strategies. We clearly say, ‘Our business is your people’ because it always has been.

What makes us smile is the rise of the reframing of this as fractional HR, and how this appears to be reshaping how we perhaps position ourselves.

The obvious benefits we can see is how we add value.

Cost efficiencies, you need us, and our decades of experience, for something specific. We work alongside you, we help guide your decision making, we influence, we bring clarity and then we step away. We parachute in and out again.

This brings flexibility, which is so important, especially when you are going through change. One of our key strengths is our network, if we need, we pull in those who can shine an expert eye on a situation. Collaborative working benefits all our clients.

Any client who works alongside us on a retained basis, gets the advantage of being able to call and we pivot to their needs. So the idea of being ‘fractional’, does make sense, but they never get just a slither of our expertise.

Be involved

The Peony Community is evolving.

The core vision remains, offering coaching which is accessible and affordable but as we shift, so does the thinking around how this is delivered.

Launching in 2026, Peony Community’s self-led coaching companion offers something new: a modular, emotionally intelligent experience, for emotionally curious individuals who sense there’s more beneath the surface, not because they haven’t tried, but because they’re ready to go deeper.

Does this sound like you?

Because I would like your help. I am looking for people who are interested, to form part of a focus group, perhaps input thoughts and feedback and help evolve Peony Community to the next level. Just sign up here and keep an eye on the updates.

And finally….

Back to recommending things I enjoy.

In October, I put out a post on LinkedIn with the offer to pay it forward in pages. This was more popular than I thought, and what followed was amazing.

New connections, I have exchanged books, received notes of thanks, met for coffees and lunches and one simple offer, bought lots of people together. There are still some ready to share- drop me a reply if you would one.

Listening to the Happy Place conversation with Charlie Mackesy although, lots of gems of wisdom, one part stuck with me. He was speaking about drawing classes with people with Alzheimer’s, many who said they can’t draw and reluctant to try. His advice was, just make a mark on the page and see what happens. I feel we can all learn from this, stepping into something we aren’t sure about, but doing it anyway, is brave and bold.

Honestly, I can’t believe next month will be December, a P&M round up and celebration edition is pending.

Alice