Resourced Humans – Mini Soundbite Series
Purpose is leaving something more positive than I found it, whether that is in a business, an environment, or in someone’s career.
By Carol Paddison
Co-founder of Fractional Human Resources
Introduction
Carol Paddison believes purpose is about making a positive difference and leaving things better than they were before. With values of kindness, integrity, honesty, and transparency at the core of her work, she brings both clarity and care into the spaces she touches. For Carol, being resourced is less about tools and more about the strength of community, and her reflections remind us of the unseen yet vital work HR does behind the scenes to help people thrive.
What does purpose mean to you?
“Purpose to me means doing something that I feel really connected to. It is often about leaving something more positive than I found it. That could be an impact on an environment or a business, or it could be working with a person and a leader where I have been able to work with them on something that positively contributes to their career or development. Those are the things that feel purposeful for me.”
Carol sees purpose as connection combined with impact, creating ripples of positivity that outlast the moment.
When do you feel most connected to your work?
“I feel most connected to my work when it is really aligned to my personal values. My values are kindness, integrity, honesty, and transparency. If I am working in businesses that share those values, it is more than just words, it is a feeling. That is when I feel really connected.”
Connection deepens when values are not just spoken but lived in the everyday culture of work.
What does being resourced feel like to you?
“Being resourced for me is really about having a community and network around you. That is probably the biggest thing for me. If you have the right people in your corner and you know who to contact, then you have the answer for almost everything. Having someone to call on when you are having a bad day, or to share with when you are having a good day, makes all the difference. Building that network and community really helps me feel resourced.”
True resources are human ones. For Carol, community is the foundation of resilience.
What helps you stay grounded, especially in challenging moments?
“What helps me stay grounded, especially in challenging moments, is having rituals and routines that I do regularly. Being outside is one of them, so I make sure every lunchtime I get out into nature. I am lucky to be near lots of beautiful fields, so just getting outside and taking a breath really helps. If I am struggling with a problem to solve, I go outside. I never fully trust a thought that only happens indoors. Getting out into nature is my biggest way of staying grounded.”
Perspective is easier to find under open skies. For Carol, grounding comes from stepping outside.
What’s something you wish more people understood about what you do?
“Something I wish people understood more is that in HR teams and leadership roles, around 80 percent of the work happens behind the scenes. The fact that you do not see it usually means it is working well. That is the idea, it should be happening without you noticing. A lot of people do not realise that, so I would love more people to know that so much of what we do is invisible but vital to making everything else work efficiently for people and for the business.”
The best HR work is often invisible, ensuring the system works smoothly without drawing attention to itself.
What kind of impact are you hoping to make in your job, even in small ways?
“The impact I want to make in my role is helping businesses succeed and create great places where people can thrive and do their best work. If businesses can create that and be successful, then everyone benefits. It could be through career development, or through working in ways that support work life balance. Helping businesses to create environments where people thrive is the impact I want to have.”
Carol’s impact is rooted in possibility, shaping spaces where both people and businesses flourish together.
What’s one small thing that helps you feel like yourself?
“One small habit or ritual I have, though it feels a bit cliché, is going to the gym or a class every morning at 6 am. I was never the kind of person who could get up early and do that, and I still struggle with getting up at half five, but the ritual really helps me. It makes me more productive and feel like I have achieved something before the day begins. It also gets me out of the house before the school run. That habit really helps me feel like myself.”
Small victories at the start of the day set the tone for everything that follows.
Has your sense of purpose changed over time?
“My sense of purpose has not really changed over time. Thinking back to when I was 18 or 19, it was still about doing good and having a positive impact. What has changed is that I am not willing to compromise on it anymore. In my twenties I took a job for money rather than purpose, and that is not something I would do now. I prioritise purpose over everything else.”
Purpose matures with conviction. For Carol, it is no longer something to trade off, it is the foundation for all choices.
If you could share one message with this community, what would it be?
“My message to the Resourced Humans collective would be to really find your community and tribe of people who can help you and who get you. Invest in that, even in times when you do not feel like reaching out. We all have days when we are working from home and do not feel like picking up the phone or sending a Slack message. But it always benefits you. So reach out to at least one person a day, say hi, connect, and use the community as much as you can.”
Carol reminds us that connection is a resource. Investing in community means you never have to face challenges alone.
Carol’s reflections bring us back to the heart of this collective: community, connection, and quiet impact. Her emphasis on values, on unseen but essential work, and on creating environments where people thrive is a reminder that HR is not just about solving problems but about building conditions for growth. Her story highlights how purpose and community intertwine to sustain us in the work we do and the lives we lead.
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