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Bobby Umar is a leading voice in career and personal branding, and a self-described ‘people guy’. He believes every person has their own personal brand — whether they like it or not — but many employees have yet to harness their own story to really stand out from the crowd. And in the new world of working, networking isn’t always straightforward. Being dispersed across home and the office means there’s less opportunity for relationship building. So how can employees remain visible and continue to strengthen their professional network? In this episode, Bobby and our PeoplePod team discuss: How to network effectively in the new world of work The importance of stepping up and standing out in your organisation Tips for developing trust with your remote team members Why professional connections are vital for our mental health and wellbeing

Trenna Probert is on a mission to create meaningful change in the world of work. As founder & CEO of Super Fierce, a fintech platform that aims to empower women to make informed decisions about their super, Trenna knows that  knowledge is power. She’s determined to help close the super gap, educating and equipping women with the confidence to take control of their future. Trenna also understands the challenges involved with leading a start-up through the ups and downs of the past two years. In this episode, Trenna and our PeoplePod team dive into discussions on:  Why now is the right time to take superannuation seriously The importance of financial literacy in the workplace How to balance wearing various hats as a business owner who is also making HR decisions Tips for supporting burnt-out managers

Belinda Agnew is a superstar recruitment entrepreneur, advisory board member, Women In Tech ambassador, and host of the Startups and Unicorns podcast. She knows how to scout top talent,  network to uncover new opportunities, and how to stay current with new tech trends and recruiting tools.   In this episode, Belinda and our PeoplePod team discuss: • The work perks employees really want• How to attract both local & international talent • The international job market and the future of the candidate application process• How to put yourself on the right path for a promotion• How to build and leverage your professional brand

R U OK? Day has become a simple yet impactful reminder for us to check in on the wellbeing of our friends, family, and team members. This week's guest is Graeme Cowan -  Founding Director of R U OK?, author, resilience coach, and mental health advocate. Graeme shares his journey of combating the taboo of mental illness, how he's working with his clients to build resilience, and how to strive for a work culture of care. In this episode, Graeme and our PeoplePod team dive into discussions on: The core elements of care: self-care, team care, and red zone care Ways to identify a team member in crisis How to support remote staff especially through times of uncertainty Ways to incorporate R U OK? Day into every work day

The 'Great Resignation' is looming and if you're looking for an insider's view, this podcast episode was made for you. Author, career coach, entrepreneur, and master of making big life changes, Sarah Vermunt knows all about making big career leaps. She started her career coaching business shortly after throwing out thesis and veering off her path to becoming a university professor. Since then, she has worked with everyone from fresh graduates to investment bankers through the challenging path to finding work they love, and penned two books - Careergasm and Career Rookie. In this episode, Sarah and our PeoplePod team dive into deep discussions on: The 'Great Resignation' and what employees are seeking out of the new world of work How to keep great employees, nurture new graduates, and improve your hiring practices Tips for leading your team through a big change How to combat burnout for yourself and your team members

If you feel your mind is lagging behind your ambitions, this podcast episode is for you.Martial Arts sensei, champion fighter, TEDx speaker, cancer survivor, and now author, Nadine Champion has faced tough days yet still come out on top. She sits down with us at PeoplePod to talk about the importance to getting your mind right before starting anything. Sometimes, all you need is '10 Seconds of Courage' to get where you want to go.In this episode Nadine chats about: Getting clear about your strategy and what you want How to cope with mental stress and hard times How she trained Survivor contestant Dani Beale on the mental and physical challenges that lay ahead Finding your purpose

Whether you're tackling a new role or looking to change careers, former Sydney Swans co-captain and premiership player, Kieren Jack talks to the PeoplePod team about the challenges of managing a career pivot, inspiring a team to succeed through times of adversity, and learning to celebrate the success in the little wins. In this episode, Kieren chats about:• Staying ahead of the competition by never losing sight of what's next• How to reset your motivation when things don't go to plan• How to deliver tough feedback• The importance of defining your 'trademark'

We have all set ourselves a series of personal and professional goals, but not everyone can say we have made it across the finish line. 3-time Paralympic gold medallist, Kurt Fearnley talks to the PeoplePod team about the challenges of sticking with your goals, staying motivated through the failures and setbacks, managing your mental health, and seeking out mentors along the way.In this episode, Kurt chats about:•        Lessons in resilience, based on experiences along the Kokoda Trail•        The importance of building a community of mentors•        Ways to build a team culture of positivity and gratitude If you’re on the road to a management position, or simply seeking a fresh perspective on renewing your team’s motivation, this episode is for you.

We all know that diverse workforces provide strength and dynamism to any organisation, so it’s unfortunate that in 2020 there are still neglected pockets of our society that do not get the same opportunities in the workplace. Tracey Corbin-Matchett, CEO of Bus Stop Films, is looking to change that. Through the creation of unique stories told through the media of film, Tracey is tackling some of the bias and discrimination commonly felt by people with disability.In this episode, Tracey chats about:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Accessibility in the workplace, and how COVID-19 has the potential to change perceptions about the value that people with a disability can bring to any organisation The financial cost of the “Walkaway Pound” – the lost opportunities for businesses with poor disability awareness or understanding Tips for making workplaces more inclusive. “We all rise up together when we’re including everyone,” Tracey says.             

Plenty of organisations talk about their diversity & inclusion (D&I) initiatives, but very few use storytelling – in all its forms – to truly engage hearts and minds. That’s what Henry Smith and his organisation, Taste Creative is aiming to do: create compelling, authentic stories that represent the diverse world we live in.In this episode, we chat to Henry about what sparked his interest in this area, and what business leaders can do to tell the stories that might otherwise slip under the radar. Henry talks about:•        Why people engage with compelling, authentic stories, and how the corporate world is starting to appreciate the art of storytelling•        Why any D&I-focused content is worthwhile, as long as it avoids being tokenistic or simplistic•        How the global pandemic has impacted the D&I space – for good and badYou can find the D&I Took Kit that Henry mentions here: inclusivetoolkit.comWhile we have you, keen to have your say on the HR profession in Australia and New Zealand? Take part in ELMO’s HR Industry Benchmark Survey. Click the link to take part: bit.ly/hribspeoplepod

Many businesses - and the people within those businesses - are using the pandemic as an opportunity to transform into something new. For businesses, it may be about changing their service delivery; for individuals, it may be about upskilling or reskilling into a fresh area. In this episode, we chat with experienced HR professional and consultant Martha Travis (www.MarthaTravis.com.au) about the essential skills for future leaders and the role that HR will play in balancing technical skills with “soft” (or essential) skills.In her usual 'no fuss' and insightful way, Martha talks about:•        The benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), and why emotions such as empathy will continue to give humans the edge•        Why so many leaders struggle with difficult or confronting conversations, and how they can improve this skill•        Why a skills gap analysis is an essential first step towards more effective business planningWhile we have you, keen to have your say on the HR profession in Australia and New Zealand? Take part in ELMO’s HR Industry Benchmark Survey, follow this link: bit.ly/hribspeoplepod

COVID-19 may have pushed the HR profession into the spotlight in 2020, but there’s still plenty of work to do before its contribution to business success is necessarily recognised.In this episode, we chat with Gary Champion, Principal of HBA Consulting about HR’s evolution to this point, and where it must move to next, in order to remain relevant. With over 15 years of HR and IR consulting experience – often on sensitive and complex issues – Gary has seen it all. He shares his views on:•  What HR needs to do to consolidate its position at the top level of business•  The critical role that data, analytics and solid business knowledge will play in HR’s future success•  How other business leaders view HR and why their expectations of what the function can deliver will escalate in the years ahead  

Changing behaviours is tough, but as seen in various aspects of life – from gay marriage to the awareness of the health consequences of smoking – it starts with changing mindsets. In the second part of our chat with Matt Tyler, Executive Director of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services, we talk about how leaders can facilitate these mindset changes at work. “No workplace is perfect and you’re never going to solve everything,” he says. “That’s why incrementalism is ok. You’ll reach your goal by changing things little by little.”   Matt also reveals:•        Why a critical first step in changing habits is to “switch off autopilot” so that we can tone down our reflex responses to everything happening in our world•        The critical role of surveying and directly engaging with employees to gauge their thoughts and beliefs – don’t make assumptions!•        Why change success is dependent on self-reflection and a fundamental belief that we all have the ability to change 

Like it or not, we all have preconceptions about how people should behave and act. This is especially the case in the workplace, which we expect to be free of inequality and discrimination. Sadly, that’s often not the case. In part one of our two-part chat with Matt Tyler, Executive Director of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services, we attempt to uncover how and why gender stereotypes are formed, and what employers can do to “break the mould”. Drawing upon ground-breaking research called “The Man Box”, Matt discusses:•        The beliefs within society that place pressure on men to behave – and act – in certain ways•        The link between these expectations and issues like family violence and mental health•        The critical role employers play in protecting the safety and wellbeing of employees•        Why we all need to balance accountability with empathy when dealing with sensitive areas in the workplace

COVID-19 has transformed how we work, and HR has been in the frontline of this metamorphosis. In this week’s episode, we chat with Rosemary Guyatt, General Manager, People & Culture at the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) about the fundamental changes that have occurred, and why some of these changes will have a positive, lasting impact on the profession. “I’d suggest there’s been an immediate shift,” says Rosemary. “Many HR professionals were already working side by side with their CEO and very much had a seat at the table. But if there was any doubt, organisations have now recognised how impactful their HR leaders can be.”Drawing from her own experience as a HR leader across many industries, Rosemary discusses:•        HR’s role during a crisis, including prioritising employee health & wellbeing, and making tough decisions about budgets and personnel•        The key skills that HR have demonstrated during COVID-19, including agility, adaptability, and improved decision-making•        How the “silver lining” of COVID-19 may be the improved dynamics of leadership teams across the country, thanks to better collaboration and communication

Being flawsome is about being comfortable in our own skin and accepting the flaws that make us who we are. It’s this concept that forms the basis of author and keynote speaker Georgia Murch’s latest book, simply titled ‘Flawsome’.In this episode we talk to Georgia about why admitting we are flawed as human beings can ultimately help us to become more authentic leaders. “Being authentic is about being real or genuine – being who you are. The concept of flawsome is about dropping the pursuit of perfection but also knowing that without your flaws you wouldn’t be you,” says Georgia. She also discusses:•        Why panic is the most common response when someone says “I’d like to give you some feedback”•        The role of nature and nurture in formulating our reactions to feedback•        How to create cultures where people feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work•        Why COVID-19 has levelled the playing field in terms of how we relate to others 

Who better to talk about handling professional and personal setbacks, building resilience and striving for high performance than an elite athlete? In this episode, we chat with two-time rowing Olympian, James Chapman. Not only does James talk about his past experiences in the sporting arena, he also reveals what he’s observed in the corporate world in his capacity as Principal Consultant with Maximus International. James talks about: •        Redefining performance in this new era•        Why leaders are “the custodians of corporate culture”•        Avoiding the temptation to make decisions based on fear and anxiety •        How critical structure and routine is for human psychology•        Why courage has emerged as perhaps the most sought-after trait during COVID-19. “It’s not adversity that defines you; it’s how you respond to adversity that defines you,” says James.

COVID-19 has tested each and every one of us in unexpected ways. Yet for all its challenges, best-selling author and respected business executive Catherine DeVrye says there is a silver-lining in every dark cloud. “I actually believe that every problem has an opportunity – it’s just that sometimes we can’t see the opportunity at the time,” she tells the PeoplePod crew. In this episode, Catherine uses her inimitable good humour to talk about:* her own experiences dealing with sometimes overwhelming challenges* why life’s “little failures” are critical to building resilience* why the key take-away from the COVID-19 experience is to accept that while change is inevitable, learning from change is optional – but that's where the biggest gains are made.“Worry about what you can change; don’t waste energy on what you can’t change,” she advises.

Since Sarah McCann-Bartlett joined the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) as CEO in February 2020, the world of work has been turned upside down. “It has been an absolute whirlwind,” she tells Kit and JP. In this episode, Sarah reveals why COVID-19 has been HR’s time to shine, why curiosity is essential for taking a customer-first approach to business, and why she’s on a personal mission to re-brand “soft skills” to “essential skills”. Sarah also outlines what’s next for AHRI and what the lasting legacy of the global pandemic is likely to be. “Expect the unexpected and be prepared for a lot of ‘what-if’s’,” she warns.

The PeoplePod podcast is all about excellence in people leadership. Our aim is to explore many ideas and aspects of people in the workplace with the goal to help you to become the most effective people leader possible. We hope you enjoy the pod and look forward to seeing you there!