Working myself out of a job

It’s taken me a minute to put language around the work I do. Not because the work itself is fuzzy, but because people and culture is one of the most convoluted, grey areas in any organization. It touches everything… leadership, operations, systems, behaviour, trust, accountability. And no two days ever look the same! Honestly? That’s what I love about it.

Over the past year, my work has stretched across a wide range of environments like non-profits navigating growth and operational strain, small and mid-sized businesses ready to strengthen their people practices, public sector teams working to modernize, and individuals looking for straight, genuine guidance during career transitions. The variety keeps me sharp, but it has also helped me clarify my core purpose.

At the heart of it, I help organizations diagnose what’s really going on and build systems that actually work. Not just in policy form or in meetings, but in the day to day realities where HR and operations inevitably weave together. I’m drawn to the places where people, structure, and culture collide and where getting it right can change how an entire organization functions. This means digging into HR frameworks, labour relations, operational gaps, leadership capacity, workplace culture, and all the moving parts that influence how people show up at work. It means building structures that can survive long after I’m gone. And it means supporting leaders to make decisions that strengthen both their people and their business outcomes.

But here is the part I didn’t expect…

As a fractional consultant, I’m focused on efficiency and effectiveness, creating clarity, solving problems, and helping leaders build sustainable outcomes. But with that comes an unavoidable truth: eventually, I move on. And that part is harder than I expected.

I’m someone who genuinely values relationships. I get invested in the teams I work with, the leaders I support, and the systems we build together. I love seeing things through, watching teams gain confidence, and witnessing what a solid people strategy can do for a workplace. That long-term, embedded work still pulls at me…not because I want to step away from consulting, but because I appreciate the stability and depth that comes with truly growing alongside an organization.

So that leaves me with a bit of duality. I love the variety, challenge, and impact of fractional work. And I still miss the continuity and connection that come with being fully embedded in a team. Both things can be true. And both shape how I show up.

Through it all, my personal mantra hasn’t changed: work myself out of a job. If the system stands strong without me where leaders and employees feel more grounded, policies make sense, and teams are set up to thrive, then I’ve done what I came to do.

This has been a year filled with meaningful work, strong partnerships, and a lot of clarity about my place in this field. The work always circles back to the same goal of strengthening people systems so organizations can operate with confidence, clarity, and humanity. And for that, I’m genuinely grateful. Can't wait to see what's ahead. 🥰🦋.