What changes when we stop treating the human side of work as the ‘soft stuff’ and start seeing it as a strategic advantage?

In this episode of Heart at Work, I’m joined by Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer and bestselling author of Be Yourself at Work. We talk about what it really takes to put humanity at the centre of performance, and why trust, belonging, courage and genuine human connection aren’t separate from business results. They’re part of how you achieve them.

Claude shares what she’s learned helping VaynerX grow from around 400 to 2,500 people, why HR needs to move away from policing and towards coaching, and what leaders often forget about being human at work. We also tackle authenticity, burnout, multigenerational workplaces, scaling culture globally and the responsibility leaders have to create environments where people can perform without hiding who they are.

I’d love you to reflect on Claude’s challenge. What have we normalised in HR that we might need to unlearn? And what could change if we brought more humanity, courage and heart into the way we lead? Come and connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me what this conversation challenged you to think differently about.

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/ 

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What happens if AI removes the very work that teaches people how to become good at their jobs?

I’m excited about what AI can do for HR: less admin, better access to information, more time for the work that needs judgement, empathy and humanity. But if we automate the foundational work traditionally done by early career employees, where will they gain the experience needed to become tomorrow’s experts, leaders and strategic advisers?

In this episode, I talk about why this isn’t simply an AI or productivity question. It’s a workforce design question. I look at the risk of creating capability debt, why early career pathways need to change, and what an AI-era corporate apprenticeship could look like.

I also share five practical questions HR leaders can ask before automating entry-level work, so we can make smart technology decisions without accidentally removing the experiences that build human capability…. that build HR capability.

AI can help us work better. I’m all in on that, but as we think about what machines are capable of becoming, I want us to think just as carefully about who we are deliberately helping humans become.

What experiences in your organisation are building the judgement you’ll need in three, five or ten years? I’d love to hear what this raises for you. Connect with me on LinkedIn and let’s continue the conversation.

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/ 

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What if the biggest leadership lesson from the 2026 FIFA World Cup had nothing to do with football?

In this episode, I look beyond the goals, trophies and headlines to talk about what the tournament revealed about leadership, trust, culture and accountability. From governance questions surrounding FIFA, to powerful moments of humanity, respect and courage. I reflect on what these global events can teach every leader, board and HR professional.

You'll hear why leadership is an audit conducted in public, why trust can erode one perceived inconsistency at a time, and why culture is revealed under pressure rather than created by it. I also talk about why authority and leadership aren't the same thing, why policies alone won't rebuild trust, and why humanity must remain at the centre of the decisions organisations make.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What are people really saying about your organisation's leadership when you're not in the room? And where should my next leadership audit go?

Connect with me on LinkedIn and let's continue the conversation.

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What if HR's greatest strength isn't learning to roar, but having the courage to redesign work?

For years, I've encouraged HR leaders to build commercial credibility and earn influence. But after seeing a leadership campaign centred on the phrase Hear Me Roar, I found myself asking a much bigger question. Is becoming louder really the future of our profession, or have we been chasing the wrong leadership model all along?

In this episode, I talk about why the best HR leaders I've worked with don't dominate conversations. They redesign systems. Drawing inspiration from lions, beavers, elephants and even forests, I question why influence isn't about volume. It's about creating workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. If you've ever wondered what modern HR leadership should really look like, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and encourage you to ask better questions.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. If this episode sparked a new way of thinking, what leadership metaphor best represents the future of HR for you? And what do you think HR should become famous for? Let's continue the conversation by connecting with me on LinkedIn

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What if the biggest thing missing from HR isn't another qualification, but a space to reflect?

In this episode, I share one of the biggest insights I took away from the People Unconference. What began as an event designed to bring HR leaders together became something much bigger. It challenged my own thinking about what our profession has been missing and why knowledge alone isn't enough to create meaningful change.

I share why reflective practice has long been recognised in professions like psychology and healthcare, and why HR leaders deserve the same opportunity to pause, think and make sense of the emotionally complex work they do every day.

I also share the powerful conversations sparked by Michelle Redfern, Kelly Swingler and Dom Thurbon, and how those discussions reinforced the importance of courage, community and honest self-reflection.

If you've ever felt like you're carrying the weight of supporting everyone else while having nowhere to process your own challenges, this episode is for you. You'll leave with a different perspective on professional development, leadership and what the future of HR could look like when we intentionally create spaces where people can think, reflect and grow together.

What does reflective practice look like for you? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let's continue the conversation and connect with me on LinkedIn

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/ 

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What if allyship wasn't about good intentions, but about building practical skills that create real change?

What does meaningful allyship look like in today's workplaces? In this episode, I sit down with Lee Chambers, founder and CEO of Male Allies UK, to talk about how we move beyond performative diversity initiatives and create genuine shared accountability. We discuss why allyship is a skill that can be learned, why men have a critical role in advancing gender equity, and how curiosity can help us bridge division.

We also look at the challenges facing the next generation, the impact of AI and online influence on boys and young men, and why human skills will become even more valuable in an increasingly technological world. Lee shares practical insights for leaders who want to build more inclusive, courageous and human-centred workplaces.

I'd love to know your thoughts. How are you building allyship in your workplace, and what's one conversation you think leaders need to have more often? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let's continue the discussion.

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What if the behaviours we label as "unprofessional" are really just challenges to outdated workplace assumptions?

In this episode, I talk about one of the most accepted yet least questioned ideas in the workplace: professionalism. From tattoos and babies at interviews to executive F-bombs, workplace romances and even a lawyer appearing in court as a cat. I take a closer look at how our understanding of professionalism has changed over time and why it continues to evolve. Along the way, I share personal stories from my own career and challenge some of the assumptions many of us have inherited without ever stopping to question them.

You'll learn why professionalism is often less about conduct and more about conformity, how workplace norms are shaped by power and social expectations, and why HR leaders have a responsibility to separate genuine behavioural concerns from outdated ideas about who belongs. If we're serious about building the future of work, we need to become more curious about the assumptions we're protecting and more willing to challenge them.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What workplace assumption do you think is overdue for a rethink? And when was the last time you questioned a workplace norm simply because "that's how it's always been done"? Connect with me on LinkedIn

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

Have workplaces become so focused on sounding intelligent that they’ve forgotten how to truly connect?

In this solo episode, I talk about why over-intellectualism is quietly damaging workplace culture. From endless frameworks and performative professionalism to over-analysis and emotionally detached leadership, I challenge why many organisations are losing the human connection people need to thrive.

I question the growing obsession with credentials, why intelligence alone does not create trust, and how many workplaces reward people who sound smart instead of people who create healthy cultures. I also share why relational intelligence, emotional courage and grounded leadership may become the real competitive advantage in the age of AI.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by workplace jargon, frustrated by disconnected leadership, or hungry for more honest conversations at work, this episode will challenge your thinking in the best possible way.

What do you think workplaces need more of right now, intelligence or humanity? I’d love to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation with you on LinkedIn

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What if the thing sustaining great HR leaders isn’t resilience, but community?

In this solo episode, I talk about why so many HR and people leaders feel emotionally isolated despite being constantly surrounded by people, meetings and professional networks. I talk about the hidden weight of people work, the science behind contribution and connection, and why genuine support systems matter more than ever in leadership.

I also share why I believe the future of HR will be shaped less by bigger stages and more by better rooms. The kind of spaces where people stop performing, start connecting, and support each other through the real challenges of leadership. If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to hold people and performance together at the same time, this conversation is for you.

What kind of support system do you have around you right now? And are you building the kind of community that helps people thrive, not just survive?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation with you on LinkedIn

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/ 

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
  
  

What happens when someone does exactly what the system tells them to do, and the system still fails them?

In this episode, I unpack Susan Fowler’s experience inside Uber and the leadership decisions that turned a report of sexual harassment into a full-scale culture and governance crisis. This is not just a conversation about one organisation. It’s a conversation about power, accountability, leadership and the moments where culture is shaped in real time.

I talk about what happens when HR processes prioritise high performers over psychological safety, how language like “choice” can disguise unfair systems, and why small moments of inaction eventually become enterprise risk. If you lead people, influence culture or work in HR, this episode will challenge you to think differently about courage, responsibility and what human-first leadership looks like under pressure.

What would you do if someone walked into your office with evidence and trusted you to act? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know your thoughts on this conversation

SHOW NOTES: https://trinasunday.com/get-inspired/ 

Trina Sunday is a human-first leadership strategist, HR advisor and creator of the HEART Work™ model, helping HR leaders and People & Culture professionals build workplaces where people and performance thrive side by side. With more than 25 years of experience across HR, organisational development and leadership advisory in Australia, Asia and global leadership communities, she works with HR leaders and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability, shape workplace culture and drive human-first organisational transformation. Through the Heart at Work with Trina Sunday podcast, leadership programs and advisory work, Trina is passionate about empowering HR professionals to move beyond compliance and lead the future of HR with courage, clarity and influence.

Get Inspired 

• Trina’s Website: https://trinasunday.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinasundayofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinasundayofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trinasundayofficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinasunday/
• Reimagine HR: https://reimaginehr.com.au/