Ever felt like change is happening to your people, not with them?

In this episode, I sit down with emotional intelligence and human behaviour specialist Amy Jacobson to talk about what’s really behind resistance to change and why our usual strategies often miss the mark. Amy explains why emotional intelligence isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have if you want to lead change, tackle difficult conversations and stop the script-reading madness.

We explore emotional hijacks, “tick-box” HR, and the risks of promoting change without acknowledging what people stand to lose. Amy also introduces the concept of Change Intelligence, a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to embedding real change across organisations. If you’re in HR or leadership, you’ll leave this episode with sharper tools, bolder ideas, and maybe a bit of a rethink on how you're doing change.

What’s really stopping emotionally intelligent conversations in your organisation? Are your leaders or HR function driving fear or empathy? Message me on LinkedIn with your thoughts or stories, we want to hear them: Connect with Reimagine HR on LinkedIn

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/resource-hub/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

Do you ever look around your organisation and think... are we just pretending everything’s fine?

In this episode, I talk with Dominic Thurbon about truthful leadership. What happens when lying becomes the norm, and how truth telling could be the biggest lever for real change in our organisations.

We cover the difference between positioning and spin, why some leaders use “candour” as an excuse to be rude, and how culture, fear and incentives all play into honesty at work.

You’ll hear why truth is more than just a value, it’s a strategy. Dominic shares powerful insights from his new book The Truthful Leader and the research behind why lies might get short-term results, but always unravel in the long run.

We also discuss practical ways HR teams and leaders can create psychologically safe spaces for honest conversations, without brutalising people in the process. If you're ready to cut through the spin and build a more authentic workplace, this episode’s for you.

Have you ever paid the price for being honest at work? Or seen truth telling transform a team? I'd love to hear your story. Connect with me on LinkedIn and let’s keep this conversation going.

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/resource-hub/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

Ever thought "I hate people" and then realised... you're in HUMAN resources?

If you've ever felt over people, tired of the drama or drained from being everyone's emotional hijacks, this one is for you.

In this episode, I’m calling out the contradictions, chaos and humour that come with working in HR. From enforcing rules no one likes, to managing conflict, carrying others' emotions, and handling those daily WTF moments.

This is the real talk on what it’s like in the people business.
There is also a healthy serve of satire so don’t take it all too seriously!

But it’s not all sarcasm and eye rolls. I’m also sharing why, despite the bad days, HR is about partnering with people, not managing them. You’ll hear what it really means to navigate complex human behaviour, create positive cultures, and yes, sometimes be the bad guy (with a heart). If you’re wondering whether HR is still the right place for you, or need a reminder that you’re not alone, this one will hit home.

Before you go… do you secretly love solving human puzzles or are you just stuck in the trenches? Connect with us on LinkedIn and let me know. Better yet, have a listen and let me know who the Steve is in your workplace? Let’s chat.(#sorrysteve)

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/you-hate-people-have-you-thought-of-a-career-in-hr/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

Is your remote team thriving, or just surviving under the weight of constant check-ins?

In this episode, I’m unpacking why micromanagement has gone into overdrive in remote and hybrid workplaces, what’s really driving it (spoiler: it’s not your team), and what HR can do to shift it. I’ll walk you through how to spot the red flags, how to have the hard conversations, and what it takes to build trust without losing accountability.

If you're an HR leader, people manager, or just quietly clutching your calendar because your boss wants screenshots, this one’s for you. Let’s stop rewarding control and start enabling clarity, ownership, and actual high performance.

Have you seen micromanagement creeping into your culture? What’s one trust-building shift your organisation could make? Let’s connect on LinkedIn and talk it through.

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/resource-hub/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

Are your HR insights driving decisions, or just filling dashboards?

If you're tired of your people data being ignored, this episode is your guide for turning metrics into influence. I’ll show you how to shift from reporting numbers to shaping strategy, using storytelling, psychology, and persuasion. From the “so what” test to Robert Cialdini’s 7 principles of persuasion, we explore practical ways to make data land with impact.

You’ll learn how to frame your insights for different audiences, why storytelling is the secret to executive buy-in, and how to move beyond the spreadsheet to true strategic influence. I also talk about how AI and predictive analytics are game changers for proactive HR, and how we can position ourselves as credible, commercial partners in the business.

Which of Cialdini’s persuasion principles are you already using in your HR storytelling? Which one could you lean into more? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let’s talk about how you’re using data to influence your exec team.

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/resource-hub/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

How much time is your HR team spending on the work that actually moves the needle?

In this episode, I discuss lean thinking and how it can transform your HR function from reactive to high-impact. I’ll walk you through real stories from my clients and colleagues, showing how they've slashed admin, halved the time to hire, automated approvals, and saved thousands just by mapping their processes and fixing one thing at a time.

Suppose you’re stuck in firefighting mode, constantly chasing approvals, or drowning in manual data entry. In that case, this episode will show you how to cut the noise and create space for what really matters: your people, your strategy, your culture.

What’s one HR process in your team that feels clunky or inefficient? Send me a message on LinkedIn, and let’s talk about how you can fix it.

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/fixing-broken-hr-processes-lean-thinking-for-hr-teams/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

Are we actually solving the right HR problems, or are we just managing the symptoms?

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of HR in Cambodia, what’s changing, where they’re ahead of the game, and where Australian HR can learn a thing or two.

I break down how businesses in Cambodia are tackling recruitment, retention, leadership, and performance management, and how some of their approaches could shake up the way we do things here.

If you want to know how to stop managing symptoms and start solving real HR challenges, this one's for you.

Tune in to hear insights from HR leaders in Cambodia, a fresh take on employee engagement, and how design thinking could change the way we approach HR for good.

Think about a major HR issue in your workplace. Are you solving the real problem or just managing the symptoms? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Connect with us on LinkedIn and let’s chat about what HR can learn from different countries.

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/hr-in-cambodia-vs-australia/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr

What happens when you take leadership out of the boardroom and into the heart of Cambodia?

In this episode, I'm coming to you live from Phnom Penh, halfway through a leadership experience that's already proven to be more transformative than any classroom session could ever be. I'm reflecting on the power of connection through shared experiences and why travel creates bonds that feel deeper, more authentic, and more human.

We’ll talk about what it means to connect as people first, without titles or status getting in the way, and how these insights can reshape the way we lead back home.

If you're curious about how real-world experiences can redefine leadership and connection, this one's for you.

How has travel shaped your leadership and connections? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Connect with us on LinkedIn and let's keep the conversation going.

SHOW NOTES: https://reimaginehr.com.au/beyond-borders-the-power-of-human-connection-in-leadership-2/

Connect with Reimagine HR

• Website: https://reimaginehr.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reimagine-hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reimaginehr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimagine.hr
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reimaginehr