Blog

Blog

Blog

The Leaders Nobody Sees

The Leaders Nobody Sees

Written by Emma Marriott

When Authenticity Feels Like the Harder Choice

When Authenticity Feels Like the Harder Choice

Written by Emma Marriott

Most Workplace Problems Don’t Start as Problems

Most Workplace Problems Don’t Start as Problems

Written by Emma Marriott

The Weight of Leadership Isn't Making the Decision. It's Carrying It.

The Weight of Leadership Isn't Making the Decision. It's Carrying It.

Written by Emma Marriott

Less Is More (and Why I Keep Choosing Less on Purpose)

Less Is More (and Why I Keep Choosing Less on Purpose)

Written by Emma Marriott

Why Policies Are Usually the Last Thing I Focus on

Why Policies Are Usually the Last Thing I Focus on

Written by Emma Marriott

Feel Good From the Inside Out

Feel Good From the Inside Out

Written by Emma Marriott

Where You End and the Machine Begins

Where You End and the Machine Begins

Written by Emma Marriott

Things I’ve Outgrown in My Work and Leadership Life

Things I’ve Outgrown in My Work and Leadership Life

Written by Emma Marriott

Inside a Year of HR Support with Midtown Yoga (Kitchener-Waterloo)

Inside a Year of HR Support with Midtown Yoga (Kitchener-Waterloo)

Written by Emma Marriott

Whose trauma wins?

Whose trauma wins?

Written by Emma Marriott

The Value of Intentional Discomfort (Especially for Entrepreneurs)

The Value of Intentional Discomfort (Especially for Entrepreneurs)

Written by Emma Marriott

What If I Want to Grow, But I Don’t Want Growth to Mean Moving Away From the Work I Actually Love?

What If I Want to Grow, But I Don’t Want Growth to Mean Moving Away From the Work I Actually Love?

Written by Emma Marriott

Everyone’s Talking About AI. I’m Building Something Different.

Everyone’s Talking About AI. I’m Building Something Different.

Written by Emma Marriott

You Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig: 10 Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Their Team

You Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig: 10 Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Their Team

Written by Emma Marriott

Your Business Is a Reflection of You

Your Business Is a Reflection of You

Written by Emma Marriott

Rethinking Performance Conversations: Growth, Wellness, and Showing Up as You Are

Rethinking Performance Conversations: Growth, Wellness, and Showing Up as You Are

Written by Emma Marriott

What Island Time Taught Me About Control, Stress, and Letting Go

What Island Time Taught Me About Control, Stress, and Letting Go

Written by Emma Marriott

What Bikram Has Taught Me About Leadership (That No Boardroom Ever Did)

What Bikram Has Taught Me About Leadership (That No Boardroom Ever Did)

Written by Emma Marriott

Voice Notes: The Modern Solution to Workplace Miscommunication

Voice Notes: The Modern Solution to Workplace Miscommunication

Written by Emma Marriott

White-Knuckling the Wheel: A Founder’s Relationship With Control

White-Knuckling the Wheel: A Founder’s Relationship With Control

Written by Emma Marriott

Clarity Is Kindness: Why Avoiding Hard Conversations Creates More Anxiety

Clarity Is Kindness: Why Avoiding Hard Conversations Creates More Anxiety

Written by Emma Marriott

Building Community in All Directions

Building Community in All Directions

Written by Emma Marriott

Reclaiming 2026: Why Choosing Yourself Isn’t Selfish — It’s Responsible

Reclaiming 2026: Why Choosing Yourself Isn’t Selfish — It’s Responsible

Written by Emma Marriott

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…

Written by Emma Marriott

Why Business Owners Need a Table

Why Business Owners Need a Table

Written by Emma Marriott

HR vs. Legal During a Termination: What’s the Difference?

HR vs. Legal During a Termination: What’s the Difference?

Written by Emma Marriott

A Week in the Life of a Fractional HR Partner: Strategy, People, and Everyday Wins

A Week in the Life of a Fractional HR Partner: Strategy, People, and Everyday Wins

Written by Emma Marriott

Stop Looking Outside Your Business for All the Answers

Stop Looking Outside Your Business for All the Answers

Written by Emma Marriott

Supporting Leaders Through Difficult Decisions: The True Value of HR

Supporting Leaders Through Difficult Decisions: The True Value of HR

Written by Emma Marriott

The Hardest Decisions Often Define Us as Leaders

The Hardest Decisions Often Define Us as Leaders

Written by Emma Marriott

What’s the Point? When Employer Decisions Hurt More Than They Help

What’s the Point? When Employer Decisions Hurt More Than They Help

Written by Emma Marriott

Honest HR Is the Only HR I Know

Honest HR Is the Only HR I Know

Written by Emma Marriott

Knowing Your Worth (Even When It Stings)

Knowing Your Worth (Even When It Stings)

Written by Emma Marriott

“I Always Pay Myself Last”: The Payroll Pressure Small Business Owners Feel (and What to Do About It)

“I Always Pay Myself Last”: The Payroll Pressure Small Business Owners Feel (and What to Do About It)

Written by Emma Marriott

When Business Owners Become the Bottleneck: Letting Go to Grow

When Business Owners Become the Bottleneck: Letting Go to Grow

Written by Emma Marriott

Fractional HR That Feels Full-Time: Why Feeling Like ‘Part of the Team’ Matters

Fractional HR That Feels Full-Time: Why Feeling Like ‘Part of the Team’ Matters

Written by Emma Marriott

Policy Is a Leadership Tool

Policy Is a Leadership Tool

Written by Emma Marriott

Your Team Might Already Have the Answers You’re Looking For

Your Team Might Already Have the Answers You’re Looking For

Written by Emma Marriott

What Goat Yoga Taught Me About Leadership, Control, and Chaos

What Goat Yoga Taught Me About Leadership, Control, and Chaos

Written by Emma Marriott

Let’s Talk About the Kind of Guilt That’s Self-Sabotaging

Let’s Talk About the Kind of Guilt That’s Self-Sabotaging

Written by Emma Marriott

Hiring Help? Here’s How to Build Your Dream Team—Without Costly Missteps

Hiring Help? Here’s How to Build Your Dream Team—Without Costly Missteps

Written by Emma Marriott

The Power of Breakthroughs: How Setting Boundaries Creates Momentum

The Power of Breakthroughs: How Setting Boundaries Creates Momentum

Written by Emma Marriott

When the GPS Sends You on a Detour: Why Simplicity in HR Matters More Than Ever

When the GPS Sends You on a Detour: Why Simplicity in HR Matters More Than Ever

Written by Emma Marriott

Mental Wellness Check-In: A Gentle Reminder That You’re Not Alone

Mental Wellness Check-In: A Gentle Reminder That You’re Not Alone

Written by Emma Marriott

Top 3 Value-Adds I’m Seeing for My Clients Right Now as a Fractional HR Consultant

Top 3 Value-Adds I’m Seeing for My Clients Right Now as a Fractional HR Consultant

Written by Emma Marriott

Letting Go Without Guilt: Why Business Owners Must Prioritize Growth Over Loyalty

Letting Go Without Guilt: Why Business Owners Must Prioritize Growth Over Loyalty

Written by Emma Marriott

Why I Turn Almost Everything Into a Game — And You Might Want To, Too

Why I Turn Almost Everything Into a Game — And You Might Want To, Too

Written by Emma Marriott

Why an Unlimited Book Allowance Might Be the Best Employee Benefit You're Not Offering

Why an Unlimited Book Allowance Might Be the Best Employee Benefit You're Not Offering

Written by Emma Marriott

Bridging the Gap: How Workplace Newsletters Foster Connection and Celebrate Wins

Bridging the Gap: How Workplace Newsletters Foster Connection and Celebrate Wins

Written by Emma Marriott

Do Your Customers Own Your Business? Setting Boundaries for Sustainable Success

Do Your Customers Own Your Business? Setting Boundaries for Sustainable Success

Written by Emma Marriott

Avoid the Mental Clutter: Why Waiting to Have Tough Talks Is Harmful

Avoid the Mental Clutter: Why Waiting to Have Tough Talks Is Harmful

Written by Emma Marriott

The Power of Organizational Assessments – And Why Follow-Through is Everything

The Power of Organizational Assessments – And Why Follow-Through is Everything

Written by Emma Marriott

The Crucial Role of Leadership During a Transition: Resetting Expectations for Success

The Crucial Role of Leadership During a Transition: Resetting Expectations for Success

Written by Emma Marriott

Setting Boundaries as a Consultant: Why Saying “No” Can Strengthen Client Relationships

Setting Boundaries as a Consultant: Why Saying “No” Can Strengthen Client Relationships

Written by Emma Marriott

Taming the Wild West of the Workplace: Why Boundaries Matter

Taming the Wild West of the Workplace: Why Boundaries Matter

Written by Emma Marriott

The Importance of Ergonomics Assessments: Prioritizing Employee Well-Being, Whether In-Office or Remote

The Importance of Ergonomics Assessments: Prioritizing Employee Well-Being, Whether In-Office or Remote

Written by Emma Marriott

Client Case Study: Navigating Career Stagnation and Growth Opportunities

Client Case Study: Navigating Career Stagnation and Growth Opportunities

Written by Emma Marriott

Rebuilding Trust in HR: How I Approach My Work Every Day

Rebuilding Trust in HR: How I Approach My Work Every Day

Written by Emma Marriott

Why One-on-Ones Matter: Prioritizing Connection in 2025

Why One-on-Ones Matter: Prioritizing Connection in 2025

Written by Emma Marriott

Why Fractional HR Consulting is a Must-Have for Small Businesses in 2025

Why Fractional HR Consulting is a Must-Have for Small Businesses in 2025

Written by Emma Marriott

Happy Birthday To Me! And Tidbits I've Learned Along the Way

Happy Birthday To Me! And Tidbits I've Learned Along the Way

Written by Emma Marriott

Client Case Study: Revenue Erosion Due to Salary Increases

Client Case Study: Revenue Erosion Due to Salary Increases

Written by Emma Marriott

Finding Stillness in a Busy World: My Journey with Silent Meditation

Finding Stillness in a Busy World: My Journey with Silent Meditation

Written by Emma Marriott

From Personal Values to Business Success

From Personal Values to Business Success

Written by Emma Marriott

Your Worth Is Not Tied to Your Productivity

Your Worth Is Not Tied to Your Productivity

Written by Emma Marriott

Building an Authentic Personal Brand from the Inside Out

Building an Authentic Personal Brand from the Inside Out

Written by Emma Marriott

Case Study: Leveraging Stay Interviews to Build a Long-Term HR Strategy

Case Study: Leveraging Stay Interviews to Build a Long-Term HR Strategy

Written by Emma Marriott

Fitness at the Top: Why CEOs Need to Model Healthy Habits Amidst a Global Mental Health Crisis

Fitness at the Top: Why CEOs Need to Model Healthy Habits Amidst a Global Mental Health Crisis

Written by Emma Marriott

Embracing Failure: How Fail Sessions Can Transform Your Team

Embracing Failure: How Fail Sessions Can Transform Your Team

Written by Emma Marriott

Behavioural Interviews - What are they and why do they matter?

Behavioural Interviews - What are they and why do they matter?

Written by Emma Marriott

The Importance of Conducting Reference Checks in the Hiring Process

The Importance of Conducting Reference Checks in the Hiring Process

Written by Emma Marriott

Managing Expectations: How High Potentials Can Navigate Promotions

Managing Expectations: How High Potentials Can Navigate Promotions

Written by Emma Marriott

The Case for Re-Hiring Former Employees: A Perspective for Small Business Owners

The Case for Re-Hiring Former Employees: A Perspective for Small Business Owners

Written by Emma Marriott

Enhancing Performance in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces

Enhancing Performance in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces

Written by Emma Marriott

Building Trust in the Workplace: Top Tips for Lasting Relationships

Building Trust in the Workplace: Top Tips for Lasting Relationships

Written by Emma Marriott

Why I Started IrisHR

Why I Started IrisHR

Written by Emma Marriott

Syncing with Nature's Rhythms: The Key to Team Performance

Syncing with Nature's Rhythms: The Key to Team Performance

Written by Emma Marriott

The Power of Passion Projects in the Workplace

The Power of Passion Projects in the Workplace

Written by Emma Marriott

Building Stronger Connections with Your Team through One-on-One Meetings

Building Stronger Connections with Your Team through One-on-One Meetings

Written by Emma Marriott

A Human-Centric Approach to Terminations for Small Business Owners

A Human-Centric Approach to Terminations for Small Business Owners

Written by Emma Marriott

The Pitfalls of Unstructured Compensation: A Case Study

The Pitfalls of Unstructured Compensation: A Case Study

Written by Emma Marriott

Strengthening Communities: The Role of Small Businesses in Local Initiatives

Strengthening Communities: The Role of Small Businesses in Local Initiatives

Written by Emma Marriott

Top 5 Tips for Effective Management of Sick Leave in the Workplace

Top 5 Tips for Effective Management of Sick Leave in the Workplace

Written by Emma Marriott

Embracing the Remote Work Revolution

Embracing the Remote Work Revolution

Written by Emma Marriott

Building a Trauma-Informed Culture

Building a Trauma-Informed Culture

Written by Emma Marriott

The Power of Employee Engagement Surveys: Fostering Growth, Productivity, and Success

The Power of Employee Engagement Surveys: Fostering Growth, Productivity, and Success

Written by Emma Marriott

Investing in Learning and Development: A Key Strategy for Small Business Growth

Investing in Learning and Development: A Key Strategy for Small Business Growth

Written by Emma Marriott

Navigating the Fine Line Between Friendship and Leadership in the Workplace

Navigating the Fine Line Between Friendship and Leadership in the Workplace

Written by Emma Marriott

The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Startup Success

The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Startup Success

Written by Emma Marriott

Elevating Performance: An Approach to Effective Performance Management and Personal Development

Elevating Performance: An Approach to Effective Performance Management and Personal Development

Written by Emma Marriott

The Crucial Role of Onboarding Fractional Employees

The Crucial Role of Onboarding Fractional Employees

Written by Emma Marriott

Small Business, Big Challenges: The Top Ten in HR

Small Business, Big Challenges: The Top Ten in HR

Written by Emma Marriott

The Impact of Policies on Small Businesses

The Impact of Policies on Small Businesses

Written by Emma Marriott

The Role of Fractional HR in Small Business Growth

The Role of Fractional HR in Small Business Growth

Written by Emma Marriott

Crafting Authenticity: A Practical Approach to People-Focused Branding

Crafting Authenticity: A Practical Approach to People-Focused Branding

Written by Emma Marriott

Practical Tips for Embracing Your Company's Values

Practical Tips for Embracing Your Company's Values

Written by Emma Marriott

Dive into Growth by Leaning into a Feedback Culture

Dive into Growth by Leaning into a Feedback Culture

Written by Emma Marriott

Mastering Active Listening: A Leadership Guide to Building Trust and Fostering Positive Workplace Culture

Mastering Active Listening: A Leadership Guide to Building Trust and Fostering Positive Workplace Culture

Written by Emma Marriott

Purple Flower

Why a Clear Mission and Vision Statement are Essential for your Small Business

Why a Clear Mission and Vision Statement are Essential for your Small Business

Written by Emma Marriott

Purple Flower

Written by Emma Marriott

Most Workplace Problems Don’t Start as Problems

Most Workplace Problems Don’t Start as Problems

Written by Emma Marriott