‘Can We Talk? I Don’t Know How To Handle This.’

The quiet message that changed everything: "Can we talk? I don't know how to handle this."

As an HR consultant, people often think my days are filled with contracts, handbooks, and employment law. The visible, tangible deliverables. And yes, those are important.

But what most don't see are the conversations I have with business owners. The founder fighting back tears as they describe having to let go of their first-ever employee. The business owner torn between addressing poor performance and loyalty to someone who's been with them since day one. The leader who just discovered a serious workplace conflict that's been simmering for months.

Last week, I sat with a client for two hours as they processed how to handle a situation no business school prepares you for. We talked through scenarios, practiced conversations, and worked through both the practical steps and emotional weight of the decision.

This is the heart of what I do at The People Consultancy. Behind every policy and procedure is a human challenge that keeps business owners awake at night. My job isn't just to provide documentation - it's to hold their hand through some of the most difficult moments of their leadership journey.

When a client tells me, "I couldn't have done that without you," it's rarely about the handbook I created. It's about being there, being steady, when they needed someone who understands both the legal landscape and the human complexity of running a business.

For all the business owners navigating tough people situations alone - you don't have to. Sometimes the most valuable support isn't visible on a balance sheet.

Emily, Founder of People