Hey June

As we head into the sixth month of 2025 I am feeling in a reflective mood, I am not sure if it is because the weather has been so warm that the summer mode has kicked in earlier than usual or if it is because we are heading into the last term of the academic year and more milestones are being ticked off.

Whatever has sparked this zone of reflection, I thought perhaps sharing my experience, may spark some seeds of thoughts for others.

This years moto has been to ‘shed the sh*!’, and drawing on inspiration from a snake, I decided this continuous process would support growth, healing, support healthy habits and perhaps having purposeful pauses will help avoid burnout.

2025 so far I have experienced change, both within P&M, working with new clients on projects and retained basis, but also personally. I have had to adjust again to supporting my family with little respite, this means changing working patterns and making decisions which allows me to solo parent and be present the majority of the time. Getting the balance at times has been testing!

For me, the emphasis on shedding stuff, means acknowledging what holds importance, challenging this and shifting the focus. Through reassessing and evaluating the things we do, doesn’t mean a past decision wasn’t right at the time, it just means you may have outgrown the place you once were.

So, 3 seeds of thought for you this month.

1- What could you shed that no longer resonates?
2- Where do you feel you could have a blast of regeneration and why?
3- Where and what could you upgrade as a life focus for the rest of 2025?

He said, she said… how to separate fact from fiction

P&M since 2019 have supported many clients with what we like to call ‘parachute projects’. These focus on issues specifically around employee relations, disputes or issues that require someone independent to move things on with recommendations and outcomes.

These cases have ranged from complex appeals, gross misconduct, investigations into conduct or allegations, understanding both internal policy, safeguarding and overlaying employment law and of course, our experience.

There are many skills required (too many to list!) however, I thought sharing some insights on why having an independent HR professional can support cutting through the noise and how it can add value to decision makers.

Separating opinions from fact. We understand that complex issues often involve many stakeholders, perhaps with views on the outcomes. However, we focus on finding the facts, confirming events, timescales and part of the role is to understand inference and interpretation, unpicking the small ‘p’ politics is all part of the process.
Avoiding emotional bias. We know bias and judgement sit hand in hand. We understand that managers or leaders may have been managing these issues for a long time, which can influence decisions. Having worked on a number of cases which involve safeguarding, it is clear to see why emotions are triggered.
Cross checking facts. He said this, she said that, my manager told me this… often asking the right questions zones into the facts. Understanding where people have got their facts from is important, are witnesses reporting similar experiences, what are the facts really telling you and is it credible?

Final top tip is to allow time, often decision makers want to conclude the issue fast, this isn’t always possible, especially with multiple witnesses or allegations. Ethically approach and consider peoples wellbeing, reasonable adjustments and give people respect, especially when discussing difficult subjects. And… allow time to write up reports, cross referencing appendices and getting final packs ready take much longer than you could ever imagine!

Trust the Heart Flip

We have thoughts and we have feelings, we have logic and we have moments we reflect on which we just know we did something opposite to what we should have done! The flip in your heart versus the churn in your gut, the sliding door moments in life.

What do they mean?

That flip in your heart? It’s your truth rising up, quietly but clearly saying YES. When the feeling is anything less than that, when hesitation or discomfort creeps in, your gut is speaking just as loudly, it’s saying NO.

In a world that pushes us to settle, to push through doubt, to accept less than what feels whole, we have to learn to listen differently, deeper and trust ourselves a little more.

So, throughout June, why don’t you try this practice …. if it is not a clear, wholehearted ‘Hell Yes’ then just perhaps, it’s a ‘Ohhhhh No’

This isn’t about perfection or getting it right all the time, it is about honoring your sensitivity, your intuition, and the wisdom your body carries and this takes practice. Start with small decisions and see where it leads.

At Peony & Magnolia one of the reasons we established The Peony Community, is so we can help you tune into that rhythm, trust those signals, and create space for the moments that make your heart flip open. Coaching hits a little different when we do it the P&M way and we have opened up September coaching sessions ready to greet you.

Working with P&M

Our focus is on connecting with clients who care about their people. This means investing in experienced, knowledgeable HR support.

Did you know we intentionally cap our HR retained hours a month? We are now at capacity, however do have space created for coaching clients, either corporate or 1:1. Interested then drop us a reply and we will arrange a coffee and chat.

And finally….

I was planning on a round up of events, networking and places where we will be over the month of June, but in the process of writing this months newsletter, I have decided to keep it simple.

Over the month of June, the diary is already full so my focus will be on those early morning moments of peace, getting out in the sun, taking steps to move life and work forward and practicing what I preach. If it isn’t a solid Yes then it is a firm No for sure!

See you in July

Alice

Peony & Magnolia