
HR Leader Podcast Network
The HR Leader Podcast Network connects you to the brightest and best in HR and people leadership, exploring new ideas so you can deliver more value for your business.
These conversations will influence, shape and lead change, overcoming HR’s top concerns and roadblocks.
Tune in for the thinking that will shape tomorrow’s workplaces, inspiring and enabling you to engage with your people in new and innovative ways.
For more, visit hrleader.com.au
Latest episodes

Sep 21, 2022 • 23min
Trigger warning: How organisations can support those affected by domestic and family violence
Jo Mason, the co-founder and CEO of WorkHaven, spoke with The HR Leader about the work her organisation is doing to support those affected by domestic and family violence (DFV). Please note that this episode may be triggering for some listeners. Ms Mason talked about how organisations can support employees affected by DFV, highlighting the importance of understanding the stages people go through from when they first identify that they’re experiencing DFV to being a survivor of DFV. If you’re currently experiencing any of the issues related to this podcast episode and would like to reach out for help, you may wish to contact Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or 1800RESPECT: https://www.1800respect.org.au/. If you would like to learn more about addressing domestic and family violence in your workplace, please visit www.workhaven.com.au or email hello@workhaven.com.au Note from the editor: We have endeavoured to provide reference links to all statistics mentioned in this episode, you will find them at this link: https://www.hrleader.com.au/tech/23331-trigger-warning-how-organisations-can-support-those-affected-by-domestic-and-family-violence or email the editor at editor@hrleader.com.au

Sep 19, 2022 • 24min
Sapia.ai’s CEO on using tech and data to transform candidate experience
Sapia.ai’s CEO and founder, Barb Hyman, spoke with The HR Leader about business transformation, data and tech in HR, why Saipa.ai is part of The Circle Back Initiative, and much more. Ms Hyman shared how Sapia.ai is changing how feedback is given to candidates, using tech to provide a level of feedback that would have been hard to match in the past. The conversation also delved into why having the right sort of leaders behind business transformation is imperative, and Ms Hyman’s views on HR policymaking.

Sep 16, 2022 • 18min
Mercer Career Australia special two-part podcast, part two
Mercer Career Australia country managing director, Cynthia Cottrell, spoke with The HR Leader for a special 2-part podcast on AI and automation in HR, work design and how data complements redesigns. The conversation examined how employers can use automation to facilitate ‘sustainable and enjoyable’ work for all employees. And Ms Cottrell talked about what AI really means as it’s a concept that’s often misunderstood in the HR world. Ms Cottrell discussed flexible working in the context of work design and why it’s important to consider them hand in hand. The podcast also touched on how data can be used to facilitate work redesigns. Listen to part one of this two-part special below.

Sep 13, 2022 • 21min
Change leader at Blackmores Group on the challenges and rewards of change management
Nicole Mason heads up change management at Blackmores Group. She joined The HR Leader to share her journey getting into change management, the challenges of the discipline, and how change management and HR teams can work well together. Ms Mason explained some of the change management work involved in implementing a new HRIS, as well as imparting three tips for those looking after change management projects. For people new to the working world, she also shared why change management is an exciting career to consider. One of the themes of the discussion was to be aware of context when implementing change: look around the business to see what other projects are impacting people, and look outside the organisation to understand external influences that might impact a change project’s success. For more, listen to the full podcast below. You can find out more about the Prosci Methodology for Change Management here.

Sep 12, 2022 • 20min
Social media marketing leader Lance Scoular on being a mentor
Lance Scoular, fondly known online as ‘The Savvy Navigator’, spoke with The HR Leader about how he developed his social media marketing acumen and in turn becamea mentor to others looking to build their social media presence and following. Mr Scoular shared what he finds most rewarding about mentoring and the creative ways he’s mentored people via social media. He provided insights into working with a mentor outside your immediate industry, including mentoring HR Leader’s editor, Shandel McAuliffe, when she was in a previous role.

Sep 9, 2022 • 27min
Internal and external talent acquisition – what skills the disciplines need and ‘professionalising’ the industry
Andrea Kirby, Talent Table’s founder and director, spoke with The HR Leader about all things related to talent acquisition (TA). The discussion looked at both internal and external TA, the skills difference between the two disciplines, and the hurdles professionals need to overcome when moving from agency to internal recruitment. Ms Kirby also spoke with our editor, Shandel McAuliffe, about what talent professionals can do to better support returning Australian expats or migrants, to overcome the stigma of not having recent (or any) ‘local experience’. Ms Kirby highlighted that the Australian market can benefit from those who’ve lived abroad as they bring new and innovative ideas to their Australian workplaces. Ms Kirby has kindly provided the below link for Talent Table’s upcoming event: #tru, 14 September https://talent-table.swoogo.com/truaustralia

Sep 7, 2022 • 19min
CEO shares recruitment insights and how to overcome hiring challenges
CEO of Hoban Recruitment, Alison Watts, spoke with The HR Leader about the insights the company discovered via its recent Workforce Trends Survey, 2022–23. Ms Watts shared why the report is valuable for the market and some of the top findings. The podcast discussion also included what roles are particularly difficult to recruit for at the moment, and three tips for mitigating those challenges. Hoban Recruitment has a strong interest in innovation and DEI. Ms Watts concluded the conversation with The HR Leader by explaining Hoban's work in these focus areas.

Sep 5, 2022 • 30min
Productivity coach’s expert insights on how leaders can better use their time
Productivity coach and author of the ‘It’s about time’ series, Donna McGeorge, shared her insights on time management for leaders with The HR Leader. Delving into concepts like ‘surge capacity’ and ‘adaptive capacity’, as well as the ‘15 per cent rule’, Ms McGeorge shared tips to help leaders and people managers make the most of their time. The conversation also covered how managers can help their staff to better organise their time, as well as what leaders often forget to make time for! Listen to the podcast with Ms McGeorge below to make better use of your time. Ms McGeorge has kindly shared the below reference that relates to the podcast discussion: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/ A note from the editor: This podcast was recorded on 11 August 2022

Sep 2, 2022 • 18min
Mercer Career Australia two-part special covering HR AI and automation, and flexible work design
Mercer Careers Australia country managing director,Cynthia Cottrell, spoke with The HR Leader for a special two-part podcast on AI and automation in HR, work design and how data complements redesigns. The conversation examined how employers can use automation to facilitate ‘sustainable and enjoyable’ work for all employees. And Ms Cottrell talked about what AI really means as it’s a concept that’s often misunderstood in the HR world. Ms Cottrell discussed flexible working in the context of work design and why it’s important to consider them hand in hand. The podcast also touched on how data can be used to facilitate work redesigns. Listen to part one of this two-part special below.

Aug 31, 2022 • 21min
Managing director on work-life balance, talent shortages, and mentoring
Michelle Novotny, managing director at Discovering People, joined The HR Leader to talk about her experiences as a business owner, parent, and mentor in the recruitment industry. Ms Novotny discusses how she achieves work-life balance as a busy parent and managing director. She delves into why she believes it’s important to give people professional opportunities, and why this has been rewarding for her, too. Given the current talent shortages in the marketplace, Ms Novotny also shares her tips for success in such a market based on her years of experience in recruitment.