HR Leader Podcast Network

Lesley Horsburgh, managing director at the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) shared with The HR Leader her journey to her current role, the evolution of APSCo to what it is today, and the market challenges that they’re learning about via their members. Ms Horsburgh discussed talent shortages both within and outside of the recruitment industry — not only is the industry under pressure to help clients find talent, it’s hard to find recruitment talent too. The podcast conversation also delved into the challenges associated with Australian legislation trying to accommodate both ‘white’ and ‘blue’ collar work with the same rules, where a more nuanced approach may be beneficial.

Joe Hart, principal psychologist and director at True Perspective sat down with The HR Leader to talk about leadership, culture, and performance management. Mr Hart related why he feels that perspective is so important as a leadership quality, explaining that to be an effective leader, one needs to be empathetic to their employees’ perspectives. Mr Hart also explained where he feels the line is between quantitative and qualitative data-backed decision-making. The podcast conversation was rounded out with a discussion on why culture change needs to start with the leaders in an organisation, with the view that ‘you can’t beat Mother Nature!’

Deepak Singh, partner at Think & Grow, joined The HR Leader to discuss the Retrain program the firm has created to help people find ‘meaningful work’. Retrain was born out of the challenges people experienced finding work during the global financial crisis (GFC). When COVID-19 started, Think & Grow recognised parallels with the GFC in that it was creating similar hurdles for people looking to secure good work. Identifying particular groups of people that might find it hard to get work, and with an interest in the tech industry, Deepak explained how they help people find the right positions for them. One element of the Retrain program is to teach people how to tell their story in a way that commercially resonates with potential employers.

MacMORGAN Next Practice Growth’s principal and co-founder, Rowena Millward, shared her thoughts on growth and learning with The HR Leader. Ms Millward explained why she uses the term ‘uncomfortable growth’, relating that change and growth can be uncomfortable but that difficulties can often yield positive results. The discussion also included the balance of responsibility between individuals and employers when it comes to driving progress. Listen to the podcast below for more on Ms Millward’s insights into growth, including what the future holds for learning in a world where both tech and people skills will be required.

Nyrissa Filetti is the head of people and culture at MLC School. She shared with The HR Leader why she chooses to work in the L&D world, what she feels helps to make learning a success, and her thoughts on the future of L&D. Ms Filetti talked about the importance of being flexible as an L&D practitioner, as well as touching on gamification, badging, and using virtual reality to achieve learning outcomes. The ‘Round Square’ concept was also discussed, alongside the importance employees are placing on having purpose and global connections. Highlighting the benefit of working in learning in a school, Ms Filetti said: “If I thought that there was a lot of opportunity in other organisations, it's just incomparable when I can see the opportunities in education.” She added: “I'm really excited … Bringing human-centred design and Agile practices to an environment like this and everybody's just lapping it up and getting on this ‘excitement bus’ that I like creating at the same time!” Find out more by listening to the podcast below.

ELMO Software’s chief commercial officer, Darryl Garber, spoke with The HR Leader about how HR technology is solving some of the most pressing issues in people management including wellbeing, hybrid working, talent shortages, and working from home. Mr Garber discussed ELMO’s latest HR software modules for hybrid working and wellbeing. He also shared insights from ELMO’s recent Employee Sentiment Index. The HR and people leadership arena continues to grapple with changes that impact how people work and their wellbeing. Listen to the podcast to find out how technology can help with the challenges arising from these changes.

Total Image Group’s CEO, Pamela Jabbour, talked to The HR Leader about workwear in the modern office. Ms Jabbour discussed what’s appropriate to wear to work in 2022, how things have changed, and how to accommodate individual preferences alongside a dress code or uniform.  The podcast also addressed what employers might consider doing when a staff member won’t adhere to appropriate work attire, and the impact employees can have on employer branding through their workwear choices.  

Gilbert + Tobin’s head of capability development and change, Andrea Tham, shared her passion for learning and development (L&D) with The HR Leader. Ms Tham explained why she loves working in L&D and gave us some insights into her current role at G+T. The discussion looked at the future of the profession, and what Ms Tham would like her role in that to be.  Ms Tham also related the parallels she sees between herself as a food lover (an ‘eater’) and customer-focused learning programs. She outlined four stages that culminate in the final stage, which is ‘FOMO’!

Learning and leadership specialist, Tracey Ezard, shared her insights on growth with The HR Leader. Ms Ezard commented on neuroscience in the context of professional growth, why she favours the term ‘growth culture’ over ‘feedback culture’, and her ‘collaboration continuum’. Ms Ezard also explained what a ‘collective growth mindset’ is, and what environments that foster challenge in a psychologically safe way look like. Ms Ezard has kindly provided the following references in relation to this episode: Amy Edmondson TED Talk: Building Psychologically Safe Workplaces Timothy R Clark, The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety Judith E. Glaser, Conversational Intelligence Tracey Ezard, Ferocious Warmth and Glue

Legal director at Sydney Legal Consulting, Trish Ryan, sat down with The HR Leader to talk about discrimination, harassment, and bullying in the workplace. Ms Ryan spoke about how recent world events such as #MeToo have impacted workplaces and why this trio of issues may be more subtle at work now than in the past. The podcast discussion also covered areas of reputational risk for organisations, with Ms Ryan’s thoughts on how businesses might consider navigating such scenarios. Ms Ryan also shared her insights on the recent Fair Work Amendment in regard to the Paid Family Domestic Violence Leave Bill, discussing the benefit this could have for people leaving family domestic violence. Note from editor: this podcast was recorded on 1 August 2022