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Barbara Harvey takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolving landscape of workplace learning, drawing from her unique career path that began teaching drama to at-risk youth in South Africa. Now as Head of Learning at Growth Faculty, she brings a refreshing perspective to how organizations can foster meaningful learning experiences in today's rapidly changing environment.

The conversation explores a critical shift happening across industries – 50% of organizations are abandoning traditional classroom-style workshops in favor of more agile, multi-modal approaches. Barbara makes a compelling distinction between changing delivery methods and the timeless principles of how humans learn, reminding us that while technology transforms how we access information, certain elements like storytelling remain essential to effective learning.

What stands out is Barbara's passionate advocacy for social learning. She brilliantly compares self-directed online courses to "the home exercise bike of learning" – purchased with good intentions but often abandoned in favor of more pressing priorities. By contrast, synchronous, time-bound social learning creates accountability and community that drives engagement and retention. This insight alone could transform how organizations approach their learning strategy.

The discussion tackles one of L&D's greatest challenges – measurement. Barbara acknowledges the industry must improve its ability to demonstrate ROI while offering practical suggestions for tracking learning impact through broader business metrics. Her balanced perspective on AI's role in learning is equally valuable – embracing its potential for personalization while cautioning against "microwaving our learning" by making everything too quick and easy.

Ready to transform your organization's learning culture? Start small with quarterly team sessions that make learning joyful, creative and collaborative. And don't miss CultureCon 2025, Australia's premier workplace culture conference featuring thought leaders like Heidi Gardner exploring the intersection of organizational health and performance. Connect with Barbara on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about creating learning experiences that truly change lives.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

As Civitas partners, we’ve secured an exclusive discount — just go to thegrowthfaculty.co/CivitasCultureCon25

The future of HR is unfolding before our eyes, and it's being shaped by data, skills, and artificial intelligence. In this enlightening conversation, Melissa Bowden, Senior Director for People and Purpose at Workday APAC and Japan, takes us deep into the transformation happening at the intersection of human resources and technology.

Melissa shares Workday's pioneering journey toward becoming a skills-based organization, revealing how they've leveraged machine learning since 2018 to create tangible benefits for both employees and the business. The results speak for themselves: 42% higher internal mobility rates for employees participating in skills development "gigs" and an 11% increase in career growth sentiment across the organization.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is the practical application of cutting-edge tools. Workday's employee listening platform delivers weekly pulse checks that provide granular, real-time insights—enabling HR leaders to make immediate adjustments rather than waiting for annual survey results. Meanwhile, their AI-powered recruitment tools are transforming how talent acquisition teams operate, with interview scheduling time reduced from three days to just seven hours.

But perhaps most fascinating is Melissa's perspective on the emerging reality of managing both human and digital workforces simultaneously. As AI agents take on increasingly complex role-based functions, HR leaders must develop new frameworks for oversight, governance, and integration. Despite these technological advances, Melissa emphasizes that AI's purpose isn't to replace humans but to "amplify the human experience" by freeing people to focus on higher-value work.

Whether you're a CHRO planning your organization's AI strategy, an HR professional wondering how your role might evolve, or a business leader seeking to understand the future of work, this episode provides a compelling glimpse into what's possible when human insight meets technological innovation. The revolution is here—are you ready to embrace it?

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

What does talent acquisition look like when you're recruiting across six countries with vastly different cultures, languages, and candidate behaviors? Tosh Onishi pulls back the curtain on the fascinating challenges of global recruitment in this enlightening conversation.

After a decade at Visa and now heading talent acquisition for APJ at Okta, Tosh brings unparalleled insights into how successful organizations navigate international hiring. His journey from Australia to Singapore to Japan has given him a unique perspective on what works—and what doesn't—when building teams across borders.

The conversation reveals startling contrasts between recruitment markets. In Japan, where less than 2% of the population speaks fluent English, the competition for bilingual talent is fierce. Tosh shares a brilliant strategy of critically examining each role's true language needs rather than applying blanket requirements. One particularly innovative approach? Deliberately hiring non-Japanese speakers for certain roles to force sales teams to improve their English skills.

Meanwhile, India presents completely different challenges. There, candidates routinely accept job offers only to disappear or renege weeks later—a behavior almost unheard of in other markets. Tosh explains how the sheer size of the Indian market and longer notice periods create this dynamic, offering practical advice for recruiters facing these situations.

Perhaps most valuable is Tosh's balanced perspective on cultural sensitivity. While acknowledging regional differences, he cautions against becoming so focused on cultural nuances that you lose effectiveness. His refreshingly human approach reminds us that people fundamentally want the same things—respect, recognition, and support—regardless of where they're from. The difference lies not in what you communicate, but how you communicate it.

Whether you're managing global teams or simply curious about international business dynamics, this episode offers rare, practical wisdom from someone who's mastered the art of cross-cultural talent acquisition. Subscribe now and join the conversation about building world-class teams across borders.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

As Civitas partners, we’ve secured an exclusive discount — just go to thegrowthfaculty.co/CivitasCultureCon25

When Paddy Jordan left Ireland at 23 to backpack around the world, he never imagined his journey would lead to becoming Vice President of HR Asia Pacific for a global spirits company. In this captivating conversation with Shane O'Neill, Paddy reveals how an unexpected pivot from corporate banking to compensation and benefits launched his HR career – a field he initially resisted entering.

"I'd rather work for the best boss in the worst job than work in the best job with the worst boss," Paddy shares, explaining how his pursuit of great leadership rather than specific roles has guided his career across Australia, Japan, and now Singapore. This philosophy shapes his approach to HR: questioning whether traditional frameworks remain fit for purpose in today's agile workplace.

The emotional heart of this episode comes as Paddy candidly discusses being diagnosed with depression while working in Japan during the pandemic, separated from his husband for nearly two years due to border closures. His powerful insight that acknowledging mental health struggles doesn't diminish professional capability offers a refreshing perspective on leadership authenticity.

For HR professionals navigating their own global aspirations or career transitions, Paddy's journey embodies his guiding principle: "We set the opportunity and fate will follow." His story demonstrates how embracing uncertainty, prioritizing relationships, and maintaining core values can lead to unexpected but fulfilling career paths in international HR leadership.

What unexpected opportunity might reshape your professional journey? Connect with Paddy on LinkedIn to continue this important conversation about leadership, mental health, and creating HR practices that truly serve today's evolving workplace.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

As Civitas partners, we’ve secured an exclusive discount — just go to thegrowthfaculty.co/CivitasCultureCon25

Lucy Wilson, Chief People Officer at Gumtree Australia, takes us on a fascinating journey through her nearly two-decade career in HR and people leadership across diverse industries. With remarkable candor, she shares the challenges and triumphs of guiding Gumtree through a monumental transformation – transitioning from global ownership to becoming a locally-owned ASX-listed business while uniting three distinct Australian brands under one cohesive cultural umbrella.

Lucy unpacks the delicate art of rebuilding company culture after significant organizational change, revealing how her team fostered excitement and ownership during uncertainty. "We had to help people see that we actually get to own this now," she explains, describing how positioning change as an opportunity rather than a threat created momentum for positive transformation.

The conversation explores the evolving expectations of today's workforce, particularly Gen Z employees seeking purpose-driven work. Lucy shares Gumtree's innovative partnership with food waste prevention app Saveful, demonstrating how connecting corporate initiatives to meaningful social impact resonates with younger employees while aligning perfectly with Gumtree's marketplace ethos of sustainability and reuse.

Perhaps most valuable is Lucy's practical perspective on artificial intelligence in HR practice. Rather than fearing technology, she advocates for strategic adoption that frees HR professionals from administrative burdens to focus on what truly matters – meaningful human connections. Her insights on where AI excels (documentation, compliance) versus where human touch remains essential (empathy, complex people issues) offers a balanced roadmap for HR professionals navigating technological change.

For aspiring HR leaders, Lucy distills her success into two powerful recommendations: identify your unique strengths ("magic sprinkles") and develop robust commercial acumen. Her emphasis on understanding business operations, finances, and strategic alignment challenges listeners to elevate HR from a support function to a genuine business partnership.

Ready to transform your approach to people leadership? Listen now and discover how balancing technological innovation with human connection is the future of effective HR practice.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

As Civitas partners, we’ve secured an exclusive discount — just go to thegrowthfaculty.co/CivitasCultureCon25

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

Join us as Sarah Novelli shares her journey and insights into data-driven HR practices that enhance organizational effectiveness and employee engagement. With a focus on analytics, leadership, and flexibility, Sarah discusses strategies that drive results and foster a diverse workplace.

• Sarah's unexpected path into HR 
• The impact of data analytics on HR decision-making 
• Aligning HR strategies with organizational goals 
• The importance of clean data for reporting accuracy 
• Challenges of managing a dispersed workforce 
• Creating flexibility in work models to retain talent

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

Discover how the landscape of HR is being reshaped by visionary HR practitioners like Philippa Prothero, who joins us to share her unique journey from from organisational psychology to building future of workforce models.

Philippa supports organisations to build future-focused workforce models, applying a strong data-driven approach and incorporating best practice at all points of the employee life cycle.

She brings 20 years’ experience in senior HR leadership and consulting roles and works extensively across the Australian Government. Philippa combines a deep expertise in the science of organisational change with on-the-ground experience in driving transformation in complex organisations.

Provided advice and facilitation on sector-wide workforce planning, change and digital health capability to support the development of the National Digital Health Capability Action Plan

Advised on the implementation of new Health Knowledge Management system in the Department of Defence, including change management, communications and capability development

Developed an implementation strategy to support a public sector program management office to manage the delivery of complex, cross-agency, sector-wide reform

Developing a workforce management and planning tool to support National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers to plan and manage their workforce in line with the NDIS Workforce Capability Framework.

Led strategic advisory support to an independent review of hierarchy, workforce classification structures and workforce management practices across the Australian Public Service. ​

Outside of Nous

Philippa holds a PhD in organisational behaviour from the Australian National University. Her research examined topics of organisational culture, work motivation and job performance with the objective of supporting genuine evidence-based decision-making within organisations.

Philippa serves as a non-executive director on the board of Care Inc, a not-for-profit organisation delivering financial counselling and legal services to low-income consumers and victims of domestic violence. She is also a member of the Australian HR Institute and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Philippa offers her perspective on the evolving role of HR beyond traditional compliance, taking us through the complexities of integrating Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) into the very fabric of organisational strategies. Her expertise shines as she discusses the challenges and rewards of fostering environments where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but optimized, and how these efforts can lead to enhanced organisational performance.

As we navigate the shifting paradigms of remote and hybrid work models, Philippa discusses their impact on workplace culture and inclusivity. Listen in as we explore the importance of setting ambitious goals to drive meaningful change, particularly in the realm of diversity and inclusion. Philippa highlights the powerful role data analytics can play in advancing equity, pushing for policy changes that ensure fair remuneration. With insights into the ongoing evolution of HR practices, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead in the world of organizational leadership and performance

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

Discover how navigating the gender pay gap goes beyond mere compliance with Natalie Flynn, the trailblazing CEO of Equity. Natalie joins us with a wealth of knowledge and personal experience on the intricacies of pay equity. Her journey from Organisational Psychology to the Chief People Officer role and eventually founding a tech startup, uncovers the undeniable significance of real-time data and automation in crafting a fairer workplace. She passionately shares insights into the subtleties of adjusted versus unadjusted pay gaps and the power of deep analysis to unearth and address the root causes of inequality.

Cracking the code of leadership's influence on gender pay disparities, Natalie Flynn emphasises the transformative impact of a supportive C-suite. She unravels the thread between entrenched belief systems and the financial backing for equality initiatives, suggesting that a cultural shift within organizations is paramount. Listen in as we discuss the pivotal role of every leader in promoting equity and the strategic advice Natalie offers for businesses big and small to foster a more equitable environment. Her stories illustrate the magnetic pull of gender equity efforts on top talent procurement and retention.

Peek into the evolving landscape of the HR profession with Natalie, where we tackle the shift from administrative tasks to strategic influence and the isolation HR professionals often contend with. We explore anecdotes from Natalie's career, demonstrating the strategic value of HR in the realm of gender equity and the competitive edge it gives to organisations. Join us as we celebrate Natalie Flynn's dedication to equal pay, her exciting business journey, and the substantial strides being made in the pursuit of workplace equity.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!

Transitioning from a graphic designer to a top HR executive, Meredith Crowe's journey is nothing short of inspiring. As the Senior Vice President of Global People and Culture at Telix Pharmaceuticals, she brings a wealth of experience and insight into the challenges and triumphs of high-growth business environments. From the pivotal milestone of Telix breaking into the ASX 100 to her personal battles with burnout, Meredith's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Discover how she turned past challenges into a successful career in people management, offering valuable lessons on self-awareness and the importance of setting boundaries.

We discuss all things 'High Growth' and how is compares to other work environments however, Meredith acknowledges that there are pros and cons to every industry and organisation.

Tune in to get a sense of life in a high growth HR leadership position in one of the fastest growing industries globally, healthtech.

Meredith also delves into the intricacies of leading a company through rapid expansion, highlighting the need for a growth mindset and proactive leadership.

She discusses the excitement and hurdles of high-growth settings, emphasising the significance of honest communication, risk-taking, and adaptability. From the decision-making process in a publicly listed company to balancing speed and customization, Meredith provides a fascinating glimpse into the dynamic world of business growth. Join us for an engaging discussion that offers a deeper understanding of thriving in fast-paced environments and making impactful decisions that shape the future.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!