Leap Into HR Consulting ®

In this episode of the Leap into HR Consulting® podcast, Sarah Hamilton-Gill explores one of the biggest shifts senior HR professionals make when they move into consulting: learning how to bring their commercial judgement forward with confidence. This is not about becoming someone different. It is not about becoming pushy, cold or overly salesy. It is about recognising that, as an experienced HR p...

Podcast Show Notes Summary Episode: Three Years into HR Consulting with Ambra Parisi In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill catches up with Ambra Parisi, three years after Ambra launched her HR consultancy business following a 15-year corporate HR career. Ambra shares her honest reflections on moving from an HR Director role into consultancy after redundancy in 2022. Rather than being driven purely...

In this episode of the   Leap into HR Consulting   podcast, Sarah Hamilton-Gill explains why experienced HR consultants and coaches can still struggle to attract clients, even when they have strong expertise. The central message is simple:   stop selling HR support or coaching sessions, and start showing the business outcome. Sarah explores how many consultants describe what they do...

This episode was sparked by me taking time out this week to reflect on my business and my life and asking a simple question: What’s genuinely moving the needle… and what’s just making everything feel heavier than it needs to be? If your HR consultancy feels busy but not profitable, it’s often not because you’re doing too little- it’s because you’re doing too much, in too many places, with too much...

Economic uncertainty doesn’t remove opportunity for HR consultants, it reshapes it. In this episode, we explore why businesses need more focused, outcome-driven HR support during challenging times, and how consultants who position themselves clearly, speak commercially, and solve real business problems can stand out and grow. As organisations face increasing pressure around performance, retention,...

Communities and why they are so important: With Claire Cathcart, Founder of Elevate HR In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill talks with Claire Cathcart, founder of Elevate HR, to explore why community is becoming one of the most powerful support systems for HR professionals today. After leaving a toxic corporate environment in 2023, Claire took a leap many HR professionals dream about but rarely ma...

3 Quick Wins to Get Client Conversations This Week (Plus FAQs on Proposals and Getting Clients) Episode Summary Feeling busy but not seeing any client conversations? In this practical 20 - 25 minute episode, Sarah shares three quick wins you can implement this week to create momentum, plus a bonus tactic that builds trust quickly. You will also hear answers to common Academy FAQs on niching, prici...

The 5 Cs for Consistent Growth How HR Consultants Can Build Pipeline Without Burnout Running a consultancy can feel like a balancing act. You are delivering great work, supporting clients, managing the business, and trying to keep momentum going all at the same time. It is rewarding, but it can also feel inconsistent and exhausting. In this episode, Sarah shares an honest reflection on revisiting...

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD dives deep into the real challenges new HR consultants face in their first year. Drawing on decades of experience, client stories, and insights from her bestselling book, “Leap into Consulting,” Sarah unpacks the most common stumbling blocks - like client acquisition struggles, confidence wobbles, and the temptation to focus on “busy work” instead of what...

As we are close to wrapping up 2025, this episode gives you the space, clarity and structure to design a confident, focused and successful year ahead. Whether you’re an established HR consultant or preparing to make the leap in 2026, this guided working session will help you reflect on your year, reset your direction and build a simple, powerful plan for the next 12 months. Join Sarah Hamilton-Gil...

What an event and here we have mashed together Part 1 of the festival with snippets from many of our podcast guests who were interviewed by Steve Randall our podcast producer and host from the podmobile! Next year's event details are here and tickets are now live: https://www.leapintoconsulting.com/the-hr-consultancy-festival-2026 We look forward to seeing you there ! Sarah

Shownotes Summary Emily’s transition story: redundancy as a catalyst and the role of a supportive manager. Niche expertise: European HR operations and multi-jurisdictional compliance. Bootcamp experience: clarity, presence audit tool, and the power of community. Consulting growth: defining her ideal client, networking, and securing first clients. Career reflections: balancing multiple hats, enjoyi...

In this episode, Sarah talks with Russell Groves, founder of Sensei Limited, about the power of AI tools, the evolution of his SME-focused learning platform, and why partnering with HR consultants is transforming L&D. From freemium compliance courses to leadership development and expert collaboration, this conversation is packed with insights for consultants and business leaders alike. To Find...

In this inspiring conversation, Sarah May shares how she went from corporate HR managing employee relations for over 4,000 employees across 52 hotels to running her own successful HR consultancy, Mayday HR. After joining the Leap into HR Consulting Bootcamp , Sarah gained the momentum, confidence, and business mindset she needed to launch her consultancy in just two months. She’s since built...

In this podcast episode, we’re joined once again by the brilliant Justine Palin, diving into the most frequently asked questions from consultants who are ready to grow beyond being a solo founder. Together, we explore what it really takes to scale your consultancy, whether that means building a team, expanding your offerings, or stepping into a more strategic leadership role. If you’ve ever asked,...

In this special milestone episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD reflects on her journey from corporate HR to launching a successful consulting business and 100 episodes of this podcast. Using her powerful 5C’s Model ,Confidence, Clarity, Credibility, Collaboration, and Courage ,Sarah shares behind-the-scenes stories, key lessons from mentoring over 250 consultants, and how this podcast became a trust...

🎧 Episode Summary: Struggling to show up confidently on camera? Avoiding sales conversations because they feel too “salesy”? You’re not alone – and in this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill explores how confidence isn’t something you're born with… it's something you build. This episode is packed with practical strategies for HR and People Consultants ready to own their value, increase their visibility...

You started your HR consultancy for freedom—so why does it feel like you’re working more than ever? In this episode, I explore the fine line between being driven and becoming a workaholic. We’ll unpack: 💬 The hidden reasons consultants push so hard 🔍 How to recognise when passion becomes pressure 🌱 What real success looks like—and how to reclaim balance If you’ve ever felt like your business is...

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD gets real about the challenges HR consultants face during the summer months — from juggling childcare to dealing with slower client response times — and reveals why now is not the time to take your foot off the gas. She shares proven strategies to help you build visibility, have better discovery calls, and attract more clients (even if you only have a few...

In this episode of Leap Into HR Consulting, host Sarah Hamilton-Gill discusses the pervasive issue of burnout among HR professionals and consultants. She shares alarming statistics about burnout rates, particularly in the HR sector, and emphasises the emotional toll it takes on individuals. The conversation explores the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent professionals and the double burden...

Open doors with this partnership and help your SME clients grow their business at the same time you do ! We are joined by our guest Louise Aldous-Critchley, Head of Partnerships for BreatheHR. To find out more contact Tanner Woodrow-Hill , Partner Development Specialist on : tanner@breathehr.com If you would like to join our next HR Consultants Virtual Bootcamp and you are a BreatheHR partner...

In this episode we are joined by our guest Steph Bonnie , one of our Expert Mentors for The HR Consultancy Academy  ® , we explore: ✔️ Why automation is a game-changer for HR consultants ✔️ Simple automation tools to implement today ✔️ How to prevent lost leads and missed opportunities ✔️ The role of AI in modern HR consulting Please reach out to Steph Bonnie if you would like to discuss...

The world of SMEs is shifting fast, and economic uncertainty is making waves. With 90% of businesses worldwide classified as SMEs and accounting for 50% of global employment, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode, Sarah Hamilton Gill dives into the challenges these businesses face—layoffs, closures, and the rise of mergers & acquisitions—and explores how HR consultants can be the...

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill explores how redundancy—often seen as an ending—can actually be the start of something transformative, especially for HR professionals over 50. Drawing from her own experience, Sarah shares honest insights on navigating career shifts, particularly for women in HR, and why your years of experience are your greatest asset. She breaks down the opportunities that c...

In this episode of the Leap Into HR Consulting podcast, host Sarah Hamilton-Gill explores the power of niching in the HR consulting industry. She shares her journey of building a supportive community for HR professionals transitioning into consulting and introduces exciting new initiatives, including the HR Consultancy Academy and the upcoming HR Consultancy Festival. Sarah emphasises the importan...