In the world of HR, change is often seen as a catalyst for innovation and growth. But HR leaders also need to champion stability without stifling progress. In this episode, we explore themes from Ashley Goodall’s latest book, The Problem with Change, which challenges the assumption that constant disruption is always beneficial for business.

Goodall draws on his extensive experience leading people and learning functions at Deloitte and Cisco, offering practical examples and fresh insights into how perpetual change can erode employee wellbeing and performance. This is a must-listen episode for HR and business leaders alike.

Show notes

Resources and learning

AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn lounge, exclusive to AHRI members to discuss some of the themes explored in this episode with their HR peers. Become a member today: https://bit.ly/41tcOFu

Learn how to manage change more effectively with this short course from AHRI: https://bit.ly/3Drj9Hw

Further reading

Explore Ashley Goodall's latest book: The Problem with Change And The Essential Nature of Human Performance: https://bit.ly/4gNCMIp

Explore Ashley Goodall's book 'Nine Lies About Work', co-authored with Marcus Buckingham: https://bit.ly/4iLbKmr

A Radical Rethink of HR (MIT Sloan article) by Ashley Goodall: https://bit.ly/4iKYcre

In this episode, we unpack the shift from viewing psychosocial safety as a compliance exercise to embracing it as a strategic imperative. Tanya Heaney-Voogt, a mentally healthy workplaces expert, shares how HR practitioners can influence and enable organisations to create environments where employees feel supported, engaged and safe to speak up.

Listeners will gain practical advice on demystifying complex psychosocial concepts, fostering open dialogue and adopting sustainable work design practices. By focusing on long-term cultural and behavioral change, HR practitioners can better support leaders, balance performance pressures and enhance both people and business outcomes.

Free resources

AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn lounge, exclusive to AHRI members, to access a range of free templates from Tanya, including a great 1 on 1 template and a 6-step change plan template.

Become a member today: https://bit.ly/41tcOFu

Cited research

• University of South Australia research which includes great proof-points for getting buy in psychosocial safety initiatives: https://bit.ly/4ffFzbS
• Amy Edmondson's research into psychological safety: https://bit.ly/3DcnIW4
• Michelle McQuaid's research into thriving work cultures: https://bit.ly/3Vz3Vq4
• Professor Sharon Parker's research into work design: https://bit.ly/41wJVZe
• Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report 2024: https://bit.ly/3ZAuAEa

Further reading

• Comcare code of Practice: https://bit.ly/41BISH8
• Tanya's books: Finding Equilibrium, Transforming Norm and Creating Space (coming soon: free download): https://bit.ly/3Df7s6U
• Good versus bad stress (HRM article): https://bit.ly/3Bs64x4

In this episode, we explore the evolving role of HR and the expanding remit of people practitioners in today’s complex work environments.

Isa Notermans, Chief People Officer at Fleet Space Technologies and former HR leader at Spotify, Airtasker and Google, shares her insights on how HR can move beyond transactional functions to become trusted strategic advisors.

Listeners will gain practical advice on fostering collaboration across the business, leveraging data and storytelling to influence decision-making, and redefining HR’s role to drive both people and business outcomes.

Further learning and resources

• Australian HR Capability Framework: https://bit.ly/4g4RJ8m
• Position yourself for an HR leadership position with this short course from AHRI: https://bit.ly/3U1REKj
• Learn how to overcome stakeholder resistance with this short course from AHRI: https://bit.ly/3MR1dro
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• Not yet an AHRI member? Sign up for resources, networks and learning opportunities to help you build careers that have an impact – https://bit.ly/3Vhu50o

Further reading/listening:

• Learn more about Isa via this HRM profile article: https://bit.ly/4eMSHpA
• Hear more about aligning your business strategy with your DEI initiatives in this podcast episode with Liz Griffin FCPHR: https://bit.ly/3B2qMU1

• Hear more about how to take care of your own wellbeing as an HR practitioner with this podcast episode from Dr Adam Fraser: https://bit.ly/3AYK8cJ

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of deep listening and how it can elevate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies beyond surface-level intent.

Liz Griffin FCPHR, a seasoned DEI leader with experience at Qantas, Commonwealth Bank, EY and Minderoo Foundation, explores the nuances of building inclusive cultures, navigating DEI maturity and crafting strategies that resonate with business objectives.

Listeners will gain real-world examples and practical advice to help HR leaders make impactful, systemic change in their organisations.

💻 Resources

• Explore AHRI's Diversity Maturity Model - https://www.ahri.com.au/resources/ahri-diversity-inclusion-maturity-model

• Download AHRI's report: The State of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Australian Workplaces - https://www.ahri.com.au/resources/hr-research/the-state-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-australian-workplaces

• What is privilege? (Video) - https://youtu.be/hD5f8GuNuGQ

• What happens when we stop putting people in boxes? (video) - https://youtu.be/Wh-xdZzyjVI

🧠 Learning opportunities

• DEI for HR Leaders: Introduction to DEI Practices – short course - https://www.ahri.com.au/certification-and-training/short-courses/dei-intro

• DEI for HR Leaders: Advanced DEI practices – short course - https://www.ahri.com.au/certification-and-training/short-courses/dei-advanced

⭐ Member-exclusive content

• AHRI members can join the⁠ ⁠AHRI LinkedIn Lounge⁠⁠ to connect with your peers and for access to a member-exclusive bonus episode. - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13848256/
• Not an AHRI member? Learn about the benefits here. -https://www.ahri.com.au/ahri-membership

🤳 Connect with us

• Connect with AHRI on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahri
• Connect with Liz on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/company/lizapp

As the HR profession continues to evolve, the competencies required for effective HR leadership are quickly becoming more complex and wide-ranging.

In AHRI’s latest podcast episode, host Beth Hall FCPHR, speaks with Tiffany Blight CPHR, First Assistant Secretary – People and Culture at the Department of Home Affairs, about how practitioners can arm themselves with the right skills to thrive in HR leadership roles.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Key capabilities for aspiring HR leaders
• Practical steps to build these skills and experiences
• Tips for positioning yourself for leadership roles in HR.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK: Take our 2-minute survey to share your thoughts on seasons one and two of AHRI: https://bit.ly/3BjN5Ey

SHOW NOTES

Let us know what you think of the podcast so far. Take our 2-minute survey to share your feedback with us: ⁠https://bit.ly/47yzZiN⁠

⁠Access the episode transcript here – https://bit.ly/3zpjp8p⁠

🧠 Learning opportunities

• Become a ⁠Certified HR Practitioner ⁠and signal to your community that your HR skills are in line with globally benchmarked best-practice HR – https://bit.ly/3MZnnre

• Learn how to overcome stakeholder resistance with ⁠this short course from AHRI – https://bit.ly/3MR1dro⁠

• Hone your leadership and management skills with ⁠this short course from AHRI – https://bit.ly/3U1REKj⁠

📚 Further reading

• The Mentor: ⁠https://bit.ly/3zuXOLS⁠

• The Diary of a CEO: ⁠https://bit.ly/4e9Fs1Z⁠

• Mastery by Robert Greene: ⁠https://bit.ly/3ZuHjdh⁠

• Amplifiers by Matt Church: ⁠https://amzn.to/4ecJE0K⁠

• Nudge by Cass R. Sunstein and Richard H. Thaler: ⁠https://bit.ly/47zpDyY⁠

• Yes! by Noah Goldstein, Steve Martin and Robert B. Cialdini: ⁠https://bit.ly/3zrtzFA⁠

• Influence by Robert B. Cialdini: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Xz4NeA⁠

• Atomic Habits by James Clear: ⁠https://bit.ly/47G8BPN⁠

• Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson: ⁠https://bit.ly/3XBWgYl⁠

• The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MZmJKk⁠

⭐ Member-exclusive content

• AHRI members can Join the⁠ ⁠AHRI LinkedIn Lounge⁠⁠ to connect with your peers and for access to a member-exclusive bonus episode.

🤳 Connect with us

• ⁠Connect with AHRI on ⁠LinkedIn⁠: ⁠https://bit.ly/3XREBgu

• Connect with Tiffany Blight FCPHR on ⁠LinkedIn⁠:...

Around 15% of the population identify as neurodivergent. However, this is sometimes invisible within organisations, often because employees don't feel safe enough to disclose their neurodivergence to their employer.

In this episode, we speak with Aron Mercer, founding team member at Xceptional, a social enterprise that creates meaningful careers for neurodivergent individuals, about how to create safe, neuro-inclusive cultures.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to combat the fear of getting it wrong.

Practical ways that HR practitioners can factor neurodiversity inclusion into the employee lifecycle.

How to avoid tokenistic initiatives and instead have a meaningful, positive impact on employees' experience at work.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK: Take our 2-minute survey to share your thoughts on seasons one and two of AHRI: https://bit.ly/3BjN5Ey

TRANSCRIPT

Access the episode transcript here: https://bit.ly/4ccg7Cz

SHOW NOTES

📄 Resources

Download ⁠free resources⁠, such as a language and onboarding guide, from Xceptional's website: https://bit.ly/3WRkNts

⭐ Member exclusive resources

AHRI members can log into their ⁠member dashboard⁠ and find useful neurodiversity resources via AHRI:ASSIST. For resources from Xceptional members can log into AHRI:ASSIST and under the guidelines tab, look into: Culture, Diversity and Inclusion | Australian HR Institute.

AHRI members also have access to an exclusive bonus episode where Aron and Beth discuss the importance of considering intersectionality when supporting neurodivergent employees. Log into your ⁠AHRI member dashboard⁠ to access.

Join the ⁠AHRI LinkedIn Lounge⁠ to discuss this topic with your fellow members and HR peers: https://bit.ly/4fuBEJI

📚 Further reading

⁠Unemployment rate⁠ for Autistic adults in Australia: https://bit.ly/3YDA2Ho

⁠Weapons of Math Destruction⁠ by Cathy O'Neil.

⁠Busting 5 myths about neurodiversity in the workplace ⁠(HRMOnline): https://bit.ly/3LP6SOd

⁠How to support employees living with ADHD ⁠(HRMOnline): https://bit.ly/3yr7PsL

⁠Developing an Autism talent program⁠ (HRMOnline): https://bit.ly/3yuj5on

⁠How to make your onboarding more inclusive ⁠(HRMOnline): https://bit.ly/3SzeHeo

⁠Supporting employees living with Autism⁠ (HRMOnline): https://bit.ly/3SCroVQ

🤳Connect with us

Connect with

HR practitioners are often tasked with 'fixing' cultural issues, but as Siobhan McHale, Executive General Manager of People, Culture and Change at Dulux, asserts, they are actually the culture leaders. They set the stage and equip leaders and managers with the tools needed to authentically and effectively embody organisational values.

In this episode, you'll discover:

* How to frame HR roles for greater impact at the executive level

* Ways to embrace group intelligence within organisations

* Insights into her seven-year culture transformation project at ANZ Bank, turning it from Australia's worst-performing financial institution to one of the best

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK: Take our 2-minute survey to share your thoughts on seasons one and two of AHRI: https://bit.ly/3BjN5Ey

SHOW NOTES

TRANSCRIPT

🧠 Learning opportunities

• Sign up to AHRI's National Convention and Exhibition⁠ in Melbourne on 20-22 August to hear more from Siobhan McHale – ⁠https://bit.ly/45KzEbX⁠

📚 Further reading

• Learn more about Siobhan's books here: https://bit.ly/3Wi8DrJ

• Read this article where Siobhan shares more details about how to become a culture transformer: https://bit.ly/4d7zkWU

⭐ Member-exclusive content

• Join the ⁠AHRI LinkedIn Lounge⁠ to connect with your peers and for access to a member-exclusive bonus episode.

🤳 Connect with us

• ⁠Connect with AHRI on LinkedIn⁠: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahri

• Connect with Siobhan McHale on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mchalesiobhan/

• Visit Siobhan's website: www.siobhanmchale.com

In this episode, Ravin Jesuthasan, global thought leader and Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services at Mercer, talks about how HR practitioners can navigate the evolving skills landscape.

You'll learn how to take advantage of the shift towards skills-based hiring, how AI might reinvent the graduate-level position, and models and frameworks to think about skills and job design as a small, medium or large-sized business.

View the episode transcript here.

SHOW NOTES

🧠 Learning opportunities

• Sign up to AHRI's National Convention and Exhibition⁠ in Melbourne on 20-22 August to hear more from Ravin Jesuthasan – https://bit.ly/45KzEbX

• Sign up for AHRI's new short course, GenAI Integration Essentials – https://bit.ly/4bAMuuk

📚 Further reading

• Read AHRI's latest skills research paper – https://bit.ly/3zB4AiP

• Learn more about Ravin's books here: https://bit.ly/4bDgfej

• Read this article where Ravin talks about the future of leadership skills – https://bit.ly/4bCLDtt

⭐ Member-exclusive content

• Join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to connect with your peers and for access to a bonus episode from Ravin.

🤳 Connect with us

• ⁠Connect with AHRI on LinkedIn⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/company/110484/admin/feed/posts/

• Connect with Ravin Jesuthasan: www.linkedin.com/in/ravinjesuthasan/

• Visit Ravin's website: www.ravinjesuthasan.com/