What does good leadership look like when the traditional way of working doesn’t necessarily work for you?

In this episode, Karen welcomes Jess Jasch back to talk about her experience as an autistic and ADHD leader. They explore what neurodivergent leadership can look like in practice, from understanding your own needs and communicating differently to masking, burnout and the assumptions we make when someone appears to be coping well.

It’s also a broader conversation about leadership. Because whether someone is neurodivergent or not, people don’t all need the same environment, communication style or way of working to perform at their best.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

→ Why neurodivergent leaders can find traditional expectations around leadership, availability and the workplace more draining than they appear from the outside.

→ Why supporting neurodivergent employees doesn’t have to start with a diagnosis, and the simple question leaders can ask instead: What do you need to succeed in your role?

→ How small changes to communication — including giving context rather than simply messaging “Can we talk?” — can make it easier for people to process information and show up prepared.

→ The difference between adapting the way someone works and lowering performance expectations, and why the optics of work don’t always tell us much about actual performance.

→ How leaders can model their own needs and create greater safety for other people to ask for what helps them work well.

→ Why describing neurodivergence as a “superpower” can overlook the very real challenges and accommodations that may sit alongside someone’s strengths.

→ What masking can cost someone over time, including the active recovery that colleagues and managers may never see.

→ Why someone performing well isn’t necessarily the same as someone coping well — and why the person who always seems capable may still need you to check in.

Jess also shares some of what she learned through writing her book, Leaders Who Thrive: A Mindful Antidote to Disconnected Teams, and why completing it changed the way she thinks about taking on difficult projects.

Connect with Jess and find out more about her book:
https://jessicajasch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajasch/

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Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/for more insights and resources.

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Need to hire someone before Christmas? Sometimes the deadline is genuine. Someone has resigned, the team is stretched, or there is work that simply needs to be done before the end of the year.

But sometimes Christmas becomes a deadline simply because it feels like everything needs to be finished before the break.

In this episode, I look at how to tell the difference and how to move through your recruitment process quickly without turning it into a rushed hiring decision.

I also look at what the Australian recruitment market is telling us at the moment, why a more structured process can actually help you hire faster, and the conversation I think every business should have before they start recruiting: what will we do if we don't find the right person?

In this episode, you'll hear about:

→ What “we need someone before Christmas” actually means — and why your real deadline may be different from the one in your head.

→ Why recruitment can suddenly feel urgent in October and November, particularly when a team has been absorbing extra work for some time.

→ What current Australian employment data tells us about the recruitment market and why the experience can be very different depending on the role you're trying to fill.

→ The difference between a fast recruitment process and a rushed one, and where unnecessary delays often creep in.

→ Why getting clear on what somebody needs to bring from day one — and what you can reasonably teach them — becomes even more important when you're under time pressure.

→ How structured interviews can make the final decision easier rather than slowing recruitment down.

→ Which parts of recruitment you can compress, and why reference checks and important assessments shouldn't disappear simply because Christmas is getting closer.

→ Why having a Plan B before you start recruiting can stop you choosing the “least worst” candidate just to meet a deadline.

→ How to work backwards from your Christmas hiring deadline so you know early whether the timeframe is actually realistic.

If you're hiring before Christmas, the aim isn't simply to get someone into the role before the break. It's to move quickly where you can, keep the parts of the process that help you make a good decision, and still feel confident about that decision when you come back in January.

Related episodes:

How to Run a Simple Recruitment Process for Small Business – Episode 151
https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/podcast-episodes/s02e151-how-to-run-a-simple-recruitment-process-for-small-business-with-daniel-moussa/

Informal vs Structured Job Interviews: Why a Chat Over Coffee Doesn't Work – Episode 38
https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/podcast-episodes/s02e38-informal-vs-structured-job-interviews-why-a-chat-over-coffee-doesnt-work/

The 9 Hiring Mistakes That Cost You Time, Money and Team Morale – Episode 134
https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/podcast-episodes/s02e134-the-9-hiring-mistakes-that-cost-you-time-money-and-team-morale/

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

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Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/

What happens when your company values sound good on paper, but don’t actually influence how people behave?

In this episode, Karen is joined by Hope Collins to explore why values like integrity, respect and excellence can be so open to interpretation, and what businesses can do to turn those values into clear, observable behaviours.

Hope shares her approach to creating commitments that help people understand what’s expected of them and give managers a much stronger foundation for accountability conversations. Karen and Hope also discuss why leaders need to hold themselves to the same standards, how clearer expectations can contribute to a safer and more respectful workplace, and why structure can actually give employees more confidence and freedom at work.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why people can genuinely believe they’re living the company values while behaving in very different ways

• How to translate broad values into clear behaviours people can understand and demonstrate

• Why values like integrity can be difficult to use in performance and accountability conversations

• How clearer expectations can make accountability easier for managers

• Why leaders need to model the same behaviours they expect from their teams

• The connection between clear expectations, respectful workplaces and psychosocial risks

• Why more structure doesn’t necessarily mean micromanagement

• A practical first step for making your company values more meaningful over the next month

If you have company values but you’re not sure they’re influencing what happens day to day, this conversation will give you some practical ideas for closing the gap between what your organisation says it values and how people actually behave.

#findgrowkeep #workplaceculture #companyvalues

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Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

Connect with Hope: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hopercollins/

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Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/

We spend a lot of time thinking about how to find the right person, but what happens once they accept the job?

Those first 90 days can tell you a lot about whether someone is going to become a confident, engaged member of your team. But too often, probation becomes a date in the calendar rather than an ongoing process, with managers waiting until the end of three or six months to decide whether someone is working out.

In this episode, Karen looks at how to manage probation in a way that gives a new employee every opportunity to succeed, while also giving the business the information it needs to make a thoughtful decision about their future.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why onboarding and probation are connected, but have different purposes

• What managers should be looking for at 30, 60 and 90 days

• Why it’s important not to confuse confidence with competence when assessing a new employee

• How to spot patterns in performance and behaviour without overreacting to an isolated incident

• Why feedback should happen throughout probation rather than being saved for the formal review

• The questions to ask before deciding someone simply isn’t the right fit

• Why keeping a simple record of probation conversations can help managers make better decisions

• What to consider if you’re thinking about extending a probation period

• How HR support can help when you’re unsure about confirming or ending someone’s employment

Good probation isn’t about ticking a box at the end of three months. It’s about creating the conditions where people can do their best work, managers feel confident leading them, and the business can make informed decisions based on conversations that have happened consistently along the way.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

#findgrowkeep #HRsupport #PeopleManagement

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Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/

Every September, R U OK? Day reminds us to ask an important question. But what happens after someone answers, "Actually, I'm not OK?"

In this episode of Karen Kirton explores what really creates a mentally healthy workplace and why the answer isn't another wellbeing initiative.

Drawing on her experience working with small and medium sized businesses, Karen discusses why leadership has one of the biggest influences on workplace wellbeing. She unpacks psychosocial hazards in plain English, explains why everyday management practices matter more than one annual awareness day and shares practical ways leaders can create workplaces where people feel supported, valued and safe to speak up.

If you're a business owner or manager wondering how to support your people while also meeting your workplace responsibilities, this episode offers practical, down to earth advice you can apply straight away.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why R U OK? Day should be the start of the conversation, not the end

• What a mentally healthy workplace really looks like

• How psychosocial hazards affect your team and why leaders need to understand them

• Why good leadership is one of the most effective wellbeing strategies

• The simple conversations that build trust, psychological safety and stronger workplace culture

• How HR support can help managers navigate difficult situations with confidence

Whether you're looking to strengthen your workplace culture, build more confident leaders or better support your team, this episode will leave you with practical ideas to take back into your business.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!

Visit amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/

Most conversations about AI and automation focus on efficiency, saving time or reducing costs. But what if the biggest opportunity isn't about technology at all?

In this episode Karen sits down with Peter Morrissey to explore the hidden cost of manual processes and why businesses should rethink how they approach automation. Rather than trying to automate everything overnight, Peter explains why the best place to start is by talking to your team, identifying repetitive tasks and creating small wins that give people back time to think.

Together they discuss why automating a poor process simply creates a faster poor process, how leaders can introduce AI without creating fear, and why workplace culture plays such an important role in making automation successful. As Peter says, "Humans are for thinking." The goal isn't to replace people. It's to remove repetitive work so they can focus on solving problems, improving the business and creating more value.

In this episode, you will learn:

→ Why manual processes cost businesses far more than lost time.

→ The hidden link between repetitive work, burnout and employee engagement.

→ Why businesses should start small instead of trying to automate everything at once.

→ The biggest mistake leaders make when introducing AI and automation.

→ How involving employees creates better ideas and stronger buy in.

→ Why automation should create more thinking time, not simply more work.

→ The leadership behaviours that help technology improve culture rather than damage it.

→ One simple exercise you can do with your team this month to identify opportunities for improvement.

If you're exploring AI, reviewing business processes or simply looking for ways to create a better experience for your employees, this episode offers practical ideas you can start applying straight away.

Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode of Find Grow Keep, released every Monday.

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au for more practical HR resources, articles and podcast episodes.

Free Download: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep/

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When people talk about branding, it's easy to think about logos, colours and marketing campaigns. But what if the real strength of your brand comes from something much closer to home?

In this episode, Karen speaks with branding strategist and ModeMedia founder Chris Hekeik about what it takes to stand out in an increasingly noisy world. While the conversation begins with marketing and brand strategy, it quickly explores something every business owner should consider. Your employees play a significant role in shaping how customers experience your business, making culture and leadership just as important as your visual identity.

If you've ever wondered why some businesses are remembered long after others are forgotten, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how branding, employee experience and customer experience all work together.

Show Notes

In this episode, Karen and Chris discuss:

• Why businesses are competing against more noise than ever before and why clarity matters more than volume.

• The biggest branding mistake many business owners make by trying to communicate too much instead of creating a clear and memorable message.

• Why people buy emotion before they buy products, and how storytelling creates stronger connections than features and facts.

• Why a brand is much more than a logo, with practical examples of how branding is experienced through customer service, leadership and everyday interactions.

• The role employees play as custodians of your brand and why employer branding starts long before someone sees your marketing.

• How founders can balance their own vision with creating a brand that genuinely connects with their audience.

• The opportunities and challenges AI presents for branding, creativity and small business.

• Chris' biggest lesson from more than 25 years in business and why caring about people has become the foundation of his success.

Key Takeaways

Your brand is experienced, not just seen

Customers remember how your business made them feel far longer than they remember your logo, advertising or website. Every interaction contributes to your reputation.

Employees bring your brand to life

Your employer brand isn't created by marketing alone. The way your people communicate, solve problems and represent your business has a lasting impact on both customers and future employees.

Clarity cuts through the noise

In a world overflowing with information, businesses that communicate a simple, clear message are far more likely to be remembered than those trying to say everything at once.

Culture and branding are closely connected

The promises you make through your marketing need to be reflected in the experience employees and customers have every day. The strongest brands are built from the inside out.

AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity

Used well, AI can improve efficiency and help generate ideas, but authentic relationships, emotional connection and human experiences remain the things people remember most.

Guest Information

Chris Hekeik is the founder and CEO of ModeMedia, an Australian branding and creative agency that has helped businesses build memorable brands for more than 25 years. He is also a keynote speaker and brand strategist who works with organisations to create stronger connections between their brand, their people and their customers. Chris believes that great brands are built through clarity, emotion and memorable experiences rather than marketing alone.

Learn more about Chris:

🌐 https://www.modemedia.com.au/

🌐 https://www.chrishekeik.com.au/

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In this episode of Find Grow Keep, Karen Kirton is joined by business growth strategist Nathan Baws for a conversation that starts with joint ventures and quickly expands into customer service, workplace culture, leadership and what really drives sustainable business growth.

Nathan has built businesses across a wide range of industries and is passionate about helping business owners grow without simply spending more on marketing. Together, Karen and Nathan explore practical ways to build stronger relationships, create memorable customer experiences and think differently about where growth comes from.

Whether you're leading a growing team or looking for new ways to grow your business, this episode is full of practical ideas you can apply straight away.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why joint ventures can be a powerful business growth strategy
• How to create partnerships where everyone benefits
• Why customer service is often a reflection of workplace culture
• The connection between employee engagement and customer experience
• How to spend more time working on your business rather than just in it
• Why finding people who love the work you don't can help your business grow
• Simple leadership habits that keep teams connected and aligned

Learn more about Amplify HR: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au

Book a free discovery call: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie

Connect with Nathan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-baws/

https://nathanbaws.com/

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