HR Leader Podcast Network

Payroll is essential for any business. As explained by the Australian Payroll Association's chief executive, Tracy Angwin: "No one thanks you for getting payroll right. But crikey, do you know when it's wrong." This episode of The HR Leader unpacks the potential issues and the need to get payroll right. Here, Tracy shines a light on the complexities and critical nature of payroll management within organisations. The conversation delves into the risks associated with payroll, compliance issues, and the impact these have on company culture and employee morale. Payroll is often perceived as a thankless task within the HR portfolio, where errors can lead to significant financial, regulatory, and cultural risks. To manage payroll effectively, Tracy highlights three key areas: people, processes, and platforms. Ensuring a competent, well-trained payroll team with appropriate governance structures is vital. The technology platform used for payroll must be fit for purpose, with proper integrations and functionality to meet the business's needs. Those who do not realise this run the risk of falling behind in the modern workforce.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the alignment of people, skills, and strategy emerges as a pivotal factor for organisational growth. This was the focal point of a recent episode of The HR Leader, joined by Mercer's leadership talent succession practice leader, Gareth Jones. The intricate connection between the workforce, the skills necessary for effective operation, and the strategic path of an organisation was discussed in depth. The importance of this alignment cannot be overstated, as disconnection in these areas can significantly stifle business efficiency. The conversation was timely, as Mercer's Global Talent Trends Report highlighted that more than a third of HR leaders are concerned about the lack of workforce capability and future skills within their organisations. Another study by Mercer revealed that 50 per cent of executives fear their current talent models may not meet future demands. According to Gareth, technology, artificial intelligence, and environment, social and governance (ESG) are at the forefront of corporate skill requirements. These emerging needs are creating new roles and demanding a fresh set of skills.

Following the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. In this episode, we chat to Rebecca Warren, executive general manager of small-business banking at CommBank, about how she navigated a historically male-dominated industry over her 20-year career and why she believes inclusion and diversity are not just morally imperative, but key to achieving superior business results. Tune in to find out: Why she loves commercial finance. The secret power of 'quiet achievers'. How CommBank is creating a more inclusive and supportive work culture. And much more!

In a recent episode of The HR Leader, co-founder and chief operations officer at Sidekicker, Jacqui Bull, delves into the pressing issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. The conversation shines light on the multifaceted benefits of DEI training and why it's crucial for employers to not only understand but also actively promote these values within their teams. Jacqui emphasises the significant financial and productivity gains that can be achieved through fostering a diverse workforce. She points out that diversity of thought and people often leads to better business outcomes. Moreover, the current job market shows that employees place high value on DEI, with many prospective employees considering a company's commitment to these principles when choosing their next employer.

Following the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. In this episode, we chat to Suzanne Wood, state general manager residential broker Victoria/Tasmania at Westpac Group (and state chair of the Women of Westpac employee advocacy group), about how she climbed the career ladder in banking and the power of having strong female role models. Tune in to find out: How she learnt the art of having difficult conversations. The perils of unconscious bias and how to tackle them. How Westpac is supporting women through the Women of Westpac employee advocacy group. And much more!

In the current economic climate, financial stress plays a key influence on workplace wellbeing. Interest rates, inflation, and a rising cost of living have taken their toll on the population, prompting the need for intervention. The latest episode of The HR Leader discusses these issues. Marc Bineham, a money and wellness coach, joins the podcast to give his expertise in the often-overlooked area of wellness: financial wellbeing. This stress doesn't just negatively affect the individual; it can translate into a staggering loss of productivity for organisations and the wider economy. Businesses can assist their employees by implementing financial wellness policies. Marc touches on the stigma surrounding money discussions and how people are more comfortable sharing personal life details than their financial status, a cultural trait that hinders open conversations about financial health. He advocates for a cultural shift, similar to campaigns encouraging open discussions about mental health, to normalise financial wellbeing discussions.

In this episode of The HR Leader, Jack Campbell sits down with Jatin Vengurlekar, founder of Montagio Custom Tailoring, to discuss the significant shifts in workplace uniforms during the pandemic and the broader impacts on the retail industry. As companies navigate the gradual return-to-office life, many are re-evaluating dress codes, leaning towards a more relaxed approach to professional attire. The pandemic has undeniably influenced workplace fashion, with many employees trading in suits and ties for more casual wear. Jatin notes that the transition to working from home led to a more relaxed fashion, a trend that persists even as employees return to the office. The evolution of attire reflects a broader change in corporate culture. The conversation then turns to the retail sector, which faced its own set of challenges during the pandemic. Lockdowns and restrictions led to a significant downturn in business for retailers, with many relying on face-to-face interactions. The impact on staffing was profound, with many retail workers left without work. The industry at large saw an exodus of talent as workers sought more pandemic-resistant careers. To combat these challenges, some retailers are focusing on company culture and benefits as a means of attracting and retaining staff. While these perks can be enticing, Jatin argues that wages remain the primary concern for most candidates. In an environment where living expenses continue to climb, potential employees seek roles that offer financial stability and growth.

Ahead of the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. In this episode, we chat to Anjali Crossette, manager of motor operations at non-bank lender Liberty, about breaking barriers and misconceptions about car finance and why she believes the industry needs to showcase gender diversity across every rung of the career ladder. Tune in to find out: Why the finance industry is an attractive industry to work in for women. The progress being made in gender diversity in car finance. How Liberty is leading the way by example. And much more!

A lack of understanding surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is polarising workplaces. Ongoing and comprehensive training and education are crucial in the modern workplace. These themes were explored in a recent episode of The HR Leader with Cultural Infusion chief executive Peter Mousaferiadis, highlighting just how important it is for organisations to create equitable and inclusive workplaces. The significance of intersectionality was explored, and how understanding this term can assist in developing a healthy and happy workplace. Peter also delved into the role of technology and data in recognising issues and helping to eliminate them. Representation is a crucial aspect of DEI, and it's important for workplaces to reflect the community they serve.

Ahead of the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. In this episode, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Olympian and financial adviser at HLB Mann Judd, Sarah Carli, to discuss how she made her way from the track to financial advice. Ms Carli, who competed in the 400-metre hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, reveals the valuable skills she has learned as an adviser that have positively impacted her athletic career, as well as how she balances being a professional athlete with working full time. Tune in to find out: The importance of a supportive work environment. How she balances her professional and athletic commitments. How there are more transferable skills between athletics and advice than many might expect. And much more!

In this episode of The HR Leader, Margot Faraci, a senior leader, leadership expert, and author, discusses the concept of "love leadership" and how harnessing this can help better leadership. Trust is a crucial aspect of this, and those who incorporate it into practice can help to build better relationships with employees. Margot also discusses the power shift in the job market, with employees having more say in their working arrangements. She advocates for a more consultative leadership style that balances consultation with decisive decision making and empathy with results-driven performance. Another area delved into was psychological safety and its impact on performance. Margot suggests that leaders should focus on building a culture of psychological safety. By choosing capable team members and fostering trust within the team, leaders can drive sustainable performance.

Ahead of the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. Deslie Taylor, principal at Mortgage Choice Ormeau in Queensland, is one of the top brokers in the country, having settled over $1 billion in loans in her 16-year career and taken home numerous awards including Mortgage Broker of the Year at the Women in Finance Awards multiple years in a row. In this episode, we chat to Ms Taylor about how she runs her award-winning brokerage and find out from Aaron Slater, general manager of distribution at Mortgage Choice (principal partner of the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023), how we can help support and create more inclusive workplaces. Tune in to find out: The power of being an empathetic leader. The art of practising continuous improvement. How Mortgage Choice's Aspire program is supporting women in finance. And much more!

Ahead of the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. Joanna James is an advocate for constant reinvention and resilience, having adapted to change over her career in the finance space herself. Having worked in the lending space for more than 20 years – including as the general manager of non-bank lender Mortgage Ezy – she now helps support women in building successful businesses through Artemis Space, a women's community group delivered by the Finance Brokers Association of Australia. In this episode, Annie Kane sits down with Ms James to find out: Why success is subjective. The power of visualisation, emotionalisation and manifestation. Why she believes the finance industry is a great industry for women. And much more!

In this episode of The HR Leader, Sue Parker, a career strategist and communications expert, discusses the prevalent issue of ageism in the workplace. Ageism, which affects both the younger and older generations, is a form of discrimination that can have detrimental effects on individuals and businesses. Sue emphasises the need for awareness, introspection, and change to combat ageism effectively, as it is often overlooked compared to other forms of discrimination like racism and sexism. Ageism has significant consequences for both individuals and businesses. It can lead to decreased productivity, disengagement, and a loss of self-esteem. To combat ageism, it is crucial for individuals to examine their own biases and challenge assumptions based on age. To effectively address ageism, it must be given a seat at the table in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Ahead of the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we're catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space. Tanya Sale co-founded mortgage aggregation group outsource Financial with Andrea Tassis 13 years ago, with Tanya now one of the very few female chief executives in the mortgage industry. In this episode, Annie Kane sits down with Tanya to find out: How a piggy bank triggered her love of finance. Why she started her own aggregation business. Why she believes support is critical to succeed as a female business leader. And much more!

Leadership burnout is on the rise as the workforce continues to navigate the challenges created by the pandemic. In this episode of The HR Leader, Aaron McEwan, vice-president of research and advisory at Gartner, explains that the burnout experienced by leaders is not surprising given the significant disruption and change, and leaders are at the forefront of navigating their organisations through this uncertainty. Aaron points out that economic instability and volatility also contribute to the high levels of stress experienced by leaders. While organisations have made efforts to provide mental health support to their employees, leaders often put their workforces before themselves. They are dealing with not only the stresses of the workplace but also the changes in the way work is done. The widespread adoption of hybrid and remote work has required leaders to learn new ways of leading their teams. Micromanagement has also become a significant issue during the pandemic. Aaron emphasises the importance of trust in leadership. Leaders who trust their teams and provide autonomy tend to have more engaged and productive workers. Employees with control over where, when, and how they work tend to perform better and have stronger connections to the organisation.

As companies and nations rush to be the first to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and become the next powerhouse, we have to wonder whether everything is moving too quickly. Tony Anscombe, chief security evangelist at ESET, joins the HR Leader to discuss the sudden boom in the general public's use of AI and how this "AI race" may have got these systems into people's hands prematurely. Tony addresses the issue of misinformation surrounding AI. He explains that AI, or more specifically, machine learning, has been in use for a long time. However, recent advancements have made it more accessible and understandable to the general public. This accessibility has led to both excitement and fear as people are more aware of its capabilities and potential risks. Meanwhile, Tony touches on regulation and how this is a tricky path to go down, as it could stifle innovation. He believes caution should be taken when operating these systems, as the technology isn't the danger; it's who uses it. What the future has in store for AI was also discussed, and Mr Tony believes AI will become integrated into everyday life to the point where people won't even realise they are using it.

Despite many HR professionals and business leaders understanding that they need tech to survive and thrive, too many are still witnessing high failure rates. So, what's stopping them from a successful technology journey? In this episode of the HR Leader podcast, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Pinpoint HRM Founder and Managing Director Craig Aunger to discuss where many go wrong in the pre- and post-implementation phases. Backed by over 25 years of experience, Craig takes listeners through his three secrets to HR tech success, sharing how you can effectively evaluate cloud HR solutions, what key points you need to consider prior to rolling them out in your business, and how you can ensure ongoing success beyond go-live. Craig started Pinpoint HRM in the early 2000s, and since then, he and his team of 75 consultants have delivered over 650 HR tech projects, working on over 100 client engagements at any point in time, across the full cloud HR project life cycle. The insights and learnings from these many and varied projects over the years are what Craig brings to this discussion today. We hope you enjoy the episode.

In this episode of the HR Leader podcast, Luli Adeyemo, the executive director at the Tech Diversity Foundation, shines a light on the importance of diversity in the workplace. Luli highlights the need for organisations to go beyond awareness and take meaningful action to create a more diverse and inclusive environment. She discusses the concept of intersectionality, which refers to how different aspects of an individual's identity, such as gender, race, disability, and culture, intersect and influence their experiences and opportunities. She highlights the importance of considering intersectionality when addressing diversity and inclusion. Luli also emphasises the need to go beyond one data point and understand the intersection of various characteristics within a diverse workforce.

In this episode of the HR Leader podcast, Springfox chief executive and co-founder Peta Sigley shares insights into the importance of addressing resilience and wellbeing at work. The conversation highlights the importance of building resilience, the different levels of listening, and the role of positive psychology in promoting positive mental wellbeing. With a focus on education and practical implementation, Peta emphasises the need for ongoing support and continuous improvement in the workplace. Peta also touched on loneliness and how identifying and addressing this issue is crucial, especially as R U OK? Day approaches. To deal with these heavy themes, she highlighted the need for robust courses, engagements, and programs that provide education. HR leaders play a crucial role in championing resilience and mental health, ensuring its integration into the organisation's culture. Peta emphasises that building resilience is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

In this week's podcast episode, we share a conversation with HR Leader's sister brand Accountants Daily on the economic pressures businesses are facing at the moment. Mr Fingland walks listeners through the latest figures highlighting the GDP and how our score currently shows that many industries are already in a recession. He also shares how to spot telltale signs of trouble that are important for all leaders to be across.

Megan Dalla-Camina, founder and chief executive of Women Rising, joined the HR Leader to discuss the progress being made towards gender equity in the workplace. With the latest report from Women Rising revealing that just 8 per cent of women are thriving at work, there is a long way to go to empower employees. Megan touches on the role of the male ally and how it's crucial for men to voice up and help turn stigmas around. She also discusses the importance of vulnerability in leadership and how connections can be strengthened through this approach.

In this episode of The HR Leader, host Jack Campbell is joined by the country manager for Perkbox Australia, Ross McDonald, to discuss the importance of rewards, benefits, and recognition in the modern workplace, especially in the context of remote and hybrid working models. The duo discuss the significance of offering rewards, benefits, and recognition in today's job market, where attracting and retaining talent is crucial. They explore how organisations need to adapt their strategies to cater to distributed work models, where remote and hybrid work arrangements have become more common. Ross explains that recognition is a vital component of engagement and cites surveys that reveal employees value recognition as much as clear performance expectations. He emphasises that recognition contributes to building a positive organisational culture.

Today's International Co-working Day serves as a timely reminder of the importance of flexibility and the value it has on the employee value proposition. In this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by International Workplace Group's Damien Sheehan to discuss the pros and cons of mandating employees to return to the office. Damien discusses the generational divide on such policies and how HR leaders can address disgruntlement coming through the ranks. Damien also shares some telling research that pinpoints the true value of continuing a hybrid approach, including the impacts it's been shown to make on staff retention and attraction, as well as some of the lesser-discussed benefits related to the world's carbon footprint.

In this episode of HR Leader's podcast, the director of Karan & Co, Lauren Karan, shares valuable insights on coaching, transferable skills, and the significance of continuous learning in today's ever-changing job market. Lauren emphasises the importance of ongoing training and learning agility. She highlights how successful professionals consistently level up their skills, demonstrating a growth mindset that propels their careers forward. Whether you're just starting or well into your career, continuous learning is a key factor in personal and professional growth. Lauren discusses the significance of having a clear plan for career progression. She encourages individuals to identify transferable skills and develop a strategy to upskill for future opportunities.

As people make their way through life, various skills are picked up along the way. While you may be in a role that is completely different in function from your last, transferable skills can help you to excel. In this episode of The HR Leader, business strategist Angela Vithoulkas discussed her experience in both hospitality and politics. Angela has used her professional experience to help her shine in new ventures. Also touched on were the challenges faced by small businesses. With the pandemic hitting hard and many CBD businesses affected by remote working, supporting these struggling businesses is more important than ever.

With employees the heartbeat of any organisation, it's important to have the right talent acquisition team in place to attract and retain vital staff. In this episode of The HR Leader, partnered by SEEK, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Mike Virgo, talent acquisition national manager at Coles Group. Mike and Coles Group recently scooped up two awards at the 2022 SEEK Talent Acquisition Recognition (STAR) Awards, recognising his and his team's efforts in the TA space. Mike highlights the importance of creating an inclusive recruitment process and discusses the challenges and future trends in talent acquisition, such as leveraging technology and maintaining employee engagement in a competitive market. Submissions for the 2023 STAR Awards are now open. To learn more about the awards, or to enter, click on this link: https://www.seek.com/starawards

It's no secret that employers are struggling to actively engage staff. Is it time to give up on the notion of a traditional nine-to-five? In this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Carly Koemptgen to discuss why and how Aussie bosses can take advantage of talent out there that might not necessarily exist in their immediate backyard. Carly, 25, is currently travelling along Australia's east coast working in an arrangement that suits both her personal and career aspirations. Carly takes listeners through how her set-up works and why she sees other Gen Zers following suit. She also discusses what employers should be doing to capture young talent, how her generation is reshaping office life and the best ways to stay motivated when in a remote working environment.

In this episode of The HR Leader, nrol director Jesse Shah discusses the key trends that are driving recruitment, as it has proved to be a very volatile area of business. Jesse discusses whether or not we are still experiencing a candidate's market and how organisations can take advantage of this to boost attraction and retention. Understanding what job seekers are after and providing genuine care can help to improve capability. He further talks about the role of the recruitment industry and gives his opinion on whether they are truly dying or whether it's just a myth. Jesse also touches on the role of talent mobility and how harnessing it can be very beneficial.

On this episode of The HR Leader, we were joined by Aimee Baker, chief executive of Ari Recruitment. Aimee discussed just how crucial it is to keep staff happy and how prioritising flexibility can help keep the workforce engaged and productive. Utilising young talent is as important as ever, and Gen Z will soon be the leaders. Understanding the value the younger generations have is key to keeping up with the competition. She also touched on the importance of tech for any organisation and how Ari Recruitment has leveraged this tech to its advantage. Aimee is a business leader and, at a young age, has had to learn the ropes quickly. Leadership challenges and opportunities are constantly appearing, and she discussed how she navigates this.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament has gained considerable attention in recent months, with a referendum on track for later this year. In this episode, we share a conversation with one of our sister brands, Lawyers Weekly, on what businesses should know about the Voice and their obligations as employers. In this episode, Swaab partner Michael Byrnes takes listeners through various employment and workplace relations scenarios that will have to be considered with regard to the Voice and how employees can reasonably express their views if they are in conflict with their employer's position. Mr Byrnes also reveals the dangers of overstepping in publicly contradicting one's employer and the steps both sides may need to take to ensure freedom of expression is balanced against corporate interests.

Rolling out effective tech can be all the difference in a business thriving and falling short in today's market. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by SmartRecruiters' Richard Lewis-Jones to unpack any hesitation around tech and how employers can benefit from maximising its use. The Vice-President of Asia Pacific takes listeners through the touch points that can be improved during the talent acquisition process, offering real-life examples of how businesses have succeeded in this space. Rich also shares how business leaders can distinguish what tasks still need that people-centric approach, the "people > process > technology strategy" he recommends, and some exclusive findings from SmartRecruiters' new Global Hiring Trends report. To access SmartRecruiters' Global Hiring Trends report in full, click here: https://www.smartrecruiters.com/resources/landing/global-hiring-trends-2023/ To book a meeting with Rich, click here: https://hello.smartrecruiters.com/c/RLewis-Jones

Mentorship can be a powerful tool in the workplace. Not only is it a great way for employees to hone their skills and progress, but managers can better their leadership capabilities. In this episode of The HR Leader, host Jack Campbell was joined by the University of South Australia's research assistant, Dr Debbie Devis, who discussed the power of mentorship. Dr Devis also delved into the barriers women face in the workplace, especially the STEM fields, and how workplaces, and the women who work there, can turn negative attitudes around. The transferring of skills was touched upon, as well as how organisations can benefit by opening up their talent pools and taking advantage of skills that may be different to the standard.

Even though 86 per cent of companies in the post-pandemic era are confident they have found the right balance in terms of people-first work models like hybrid or remote working, 55 per cent have not provided their employees with genuine choice about when or where they work. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Stef Shoffren, modern workplace lead at Avanade, to discuss why flexibility and hybrid work should be a continued focus going forward, despite some forcing employees back to the office full-time. Stef shares findings around Avanade's "People first. Or people false" research, which reveals a gap in what organisations are promising and what is being delivered to employees. He also offers his advice for technology-cautious employers and how to better utilise data and experimentation to create an effective working environment for all.

Wellbeing in the workplace is important to get right in order to get the most you can out of employees. On this episode of The HR Leader, the chief executive and co-founder of CU Health, Dr Patrick Aouad, discussed some strategies the top organisations use to ensure staff are happy and engaged. Dr Patrick also touched on the effect tokenistic perks can have and when they can become an issue. The rise of tech and how it impacts wellbeing was also discussed, as well as how the new age of flexible working has had an impact on workers. Different demographics must be considered when implementing policy, which is why a "one-size-fits-all" approach can be counter-productive for employers. Dr Patrick outlined how to navigate this issue while also mentioning the difficulties women have in the workforce.

Instilling meaningful measures for your employees can help ensure they feel supported, even outside of the office. In the lead-up to National Families Week next week, host Emma Musgrave was joined by Emma Walsh, founder of Family Friendly Workplaces and the CEO of Parents at Work, to discuss the importance of leaders being considerate of employee commitments at home. Emma Walsh shares the biggest trends she sees play out when it comes to supporting parents and other carers, including how the pandemic and rising cost of living have contributed to greater implementation of key policies in Australian businesses. She also gives her thoughts on what more needs to be done at a government level to support people and her top tips for businesses obtaining family-friendly certification. National Families Week will be held from 15 to 23 May. To learn more about the event, or to register your interest, visit here: https://nfw.org.au/about/

Cyber hacks have created a logistical nightmare for businesses around the world. As HR professionals, we need to remain on top of the latest trends, threats and challenges to ensure we're educating employees and employers about the risks. On this episode of The HR Leader, we share a recent discussion between one of our sister brands, Lawyers Weekly, and Law & Cyber founder and legal practitioner director Simone Herbert-Lowe – who unpacks the state of affairs for cyber attacks in Australia. Simone shares why smaller outfits are a prime target for different hackers and how business leaders can stay across proposed legislative changes and implement their own solutions in-house to better protect data.

Keeping staff happy can boost engagement, productivity, and overall profitability. In this episode, Jade Green also touched on how to build a strong culture, why psychological safety is a must, and why workplace champions can be a great addition to the workforce.

Stats around absence management are evolving year on year, with the time ripe for HR professionals to put it top of their business agenda. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave chats to Morag Fitzsimons, national manager of employee care, people solutions at Lockton, on the benefits of putting absence management front and centre – and the risks that come with not having effective measures that speak to this. Morag runs through the latest findings concerning absence management in the Australian market and how these stack up to what's playing out overseas. She also gives her tips to ensure Australian business leaders are leading the pack in implementing benefits that will make a true difference in the eyes of staff and avoid those that are tokenistic.

Despite some companies' best efforts, many may find themselves falling behind when it comes to meaningful investment in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Melissa Bowden, senior HR director, APAC and Japan at Workday, to unpack recent studies that pinpoint how Australia's DEI investment efforts are tracking – and what needs improving. Melissa takes Emma through Workday's approach to DEI investment and gives her views as to how the importance of implementing strategies surrounding the topic has changed over the years. Melissa also provides listeners with her top tips on how to navigate inevitable headwinds that come with evolving work environments, as well as the tech that can make all the difference in a company's support on offer.

The evolution of the workforce has posed plenty of challenges for recruitment. This episode of The HR Leader discusses these challenges with Ben Townshend, the technology sales recruitment lead at Bluefin Resources. Ben touches on the implications brought about by the pandemic and how to stand out amid a tight labour market. He also outlines the importance of candidate experience and recruitment tech.

CEO confidence in executive leadership teams has seen a deep decline. Now, more than ever, presents an opportunity for HR professionals to prove their worth. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Dee Fitzgerald, executive director at Russell Reynolds Associates, to discuss what's caused this drop in confidence – and what proactive measures you can take to drive it up again. Dee talks about the big comparisons between traditional and today's C-suite teams, what characteristics people in exec roles need to exude now, and the questions leaders should ask themselves when setting a business up for success. She also reveals how leaders can effectively develop next-generation leaders in-house and gives HR up-and-comers some key advice on how they can position themselves up for success from the get-go.

Mitch Wallis is a mental health advocate and founder of Heart On My Sleeve. He joined The HR Leader to discuss the work his organisation does to promote mental health support in the workplace and why it's so important. Mitch highlighted how people often spend more time at work than they do with loved ones, showing that the workplace is a crucial place to address mental wellbeing. To access Heart On My Sleeve's workplace programs, visit the link below:https://www.heartonmysleeve.org/

Recent government efforts to better support employees suffering from family and domestic violence are a step in the right direction, but do they go far enough? On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Tammy Hewitt for an honest and insightful conversation about addressing the issue in Australian workplaces. Tammy is a mental health advocate and keynote speaker who has a passion for educating business leaders about how they can implement practical measures in-house to support staff who need it most. While she is encouraged by the new Australian legislation, which allows employees 10 days of family and domestic violence leave, she shares how employers can go the extra mile. Tammy also shares the tell-tale signs of family and domestic violence HR can look out for in staff – and the appropriate steps to take in supporting them from the get-go.

While more Australian workplaces are bolstering their efforts in the wellbeing space, there are lessons that can be learnt from overseas counterparts. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave chats to Aussie-based Cathy McDonald, executive general manager of Vitality Works, and UK-based Dr Adam Huxley, co-founder and COO of Thrive, on the hidden benefits that come with an expanded workplace policy. Cathy and Adam take listeners through the financial and cultural benefits that come with placing greater emphasis on mental health in the workplace, discuss the cost of absenteeism, and give their advice to HR leaders and key decision-makers who are keen to implement greater initiatives going forward. The pair also discuss the partnership their companies have recently embarked on to bring what's being dubbed the next revolutionary employee assistance program (EAP) solution to the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Nicole Karagiannis is the chief people and culture officer at Harrison.ai. She spoke with The HR Leader about her career as an HR professional, her interest in coaching and executive leadership, and the importance of DEI and belonging in HR's outlook. Ms Karagiannis shared with listeners how being trilingual has enhanced her HR work, including being able to speak clearly and plainly to a diverse group of people. She commented on the role of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in Harrison.ai's workplace, including why it's important to tailor recognition to individual employees. Seeing HR as a "commercial business partner" is key for Ms Karagiannis, who demonstrated in the podcast discussion how HR could be a commercial contributor outside of what's thought of as the traditional HR role. Listen to the full podcast to also discover Ms Karagiannis' tips for those in the tech industry currently experiencing workforce challenges. Dave Ulrich is referenced in this podcast discussion. For more information, see the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-hr-competencies-actions-enable-renewal-through-human-dave-ulrich/ https://www.rbl.net/insights/videos/hr-from-the-outside-in

James McIlvena, LHH Australia and New Zealand's managing director, talked to The HR Leader for this podcast in partnership with LHH. Examining the LHH Global Workforce of the Future Report, the discussion ranged from skills to salary conversations, career development and more. Mr McIlvena spoke about what LHH's findings revealed regarding skills, employee demand for career progression, and why new tech like AI is driving human workers to maintain relevance. It's rare for an organisation and its employees to agree that both sides feel salary levels are spot on, but Mr McIlvena shared some of the ways businesses can mitigate this disconnect. Diving into the phenomenon of "quitfluencers", the podcast also discussed what organisations could do to stem the tide if one employee's decision to leave sparks others to also consider their options. And the conversation wouldn't have been complete without delving into worker wellbeing. Mr McIlvena did this through a lens of understanding what businesses can do to encourage their people to take regular breaks. For listeners who'd like to read more about the LHH Global Workforce of the Future Report, please click here: https://info.lhh.com/ANZ/HRL-CTM-global-workforce-of-the-future-2023

The Equinix Foundation is committed to digital inclusion. Sujata Narayan, its director, and Bruce Owen, its president, joined The HR Leader to share what the foundation is all about and examples of some of the great initiatives the team is involved with worldwide. Diversity is a word that comes up a lot when talking about the foundation, and it's apt with both Equinix employees and people from other organisations supporting the foundation's work. The foundation is also adamant about being part of the places where they operate, with the focus in each region shifting as required to meet the needs of that area. Ms Narayan shared insight into the work the foundation is doing in India to help women achieve digital parity when it comes to learning, as well as efforts in the US to bridge cultural and racial divides. Mr Owen spoke about a growth area of the foundation, which is to provide more support to ageing workers when it comes to digital inclusion. Any discussion about the foundation's work would be incomplete without covering the importance of DEI and belonging and why it's central to what the foundation is doing – a lack of digital inclusion has many knock-on effects for people. Mr Owen concluded that they don't pretend to have all the answers at the foundation, but they're committed to being a part of the solution.

Subhashree Das shared with The HR Leader her experience as an HR professional moving from India to Australia, looking for work opportunities. Ms Das is now a client services officer in the contract management team at Konica Minolta, but her journey finding work in Australia was not easy. Ms Das talked through some of the big names she'd worked with in India, organisations that any Australian recruiter would recognise. However, it was still an uphill battle for her to secure a position in Australia due to the common bias for 'local experience'. Ms Das explained for listeners what recruiters are overlooking when they have a blinkered view valuing 'local' above all else. Being more open to a diverse range of backgrounds is an asset for businesses according to Ms Das, pointing out how advantageous it is when organisations have either internal or external (or both) clients from a variety of cultures and countries. She also reminded listeners about all the soft or human skills that overseas applicants bring with them. For anyone new to Australia looking for their first position here, Ms Das shared some tips, including focussing on continual learning, gaining local qualifications where possible. Ms Das was assisted in finding work in Australia by atWork Australia. You can find out more about them here: https://www.atworkaustralia.com.au

Nintex's vice-president for APAC, Christian Lucarelli, sat down with The HR Leader to share insights into his career that started in HR, moved into HR tech, and up to his current role with Nintex today. He noted that the skills he learnt in HR are now invaluable in managing and leading people. Mr Lucarelli talked about why technology that captures business processes and knowledge is critical for organisations, citing creating 'centres of excellence' as one of the ways Nintex helps its customers. Looking at the hurdles HR is facing today and into the future, Mr Lucarelli talked about why HR tech like Nintex needs to be 'people-centric', getting people away from spreadsheets and using technology to automate work where possible.