EP#149: Leading with Curiosity: The Future of HR in the Australian Public Service
Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public SectorShow Notes
What does it really take to lead people well in a world of constant change? In this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke sits down with Jacqui Curtis, Chief Operating Officer at the ATO and Head of the APS HR Profession, and Eliza Kirkby, Managing Director at Hays, to explore how human resources in the Australian Public Service is being redefined. From the power of trust and genuine connection to the growing impact of AI and technology, Curtis and Kirkby share honest insights about what it means to be a people-focused leader today. They reveal how curiosity, courage and empathy can build stronger teams, shape culture and help leaders navigate complexity with confidence. Listeners will also hear how HR professionals are helping the APS evolve by embracing innovation, driving inclusion and belonging, and preparing for the workforce of the future. It’s an inspiring conversation about keeping people at the heart of transformation and leading with purpose when it matters most. Key tips Lead with curiosity and connection. Build trust through open communication, empathy and genuine listening. Be straightforward, approachable and real. Use technology wisely. Let AI and digital tools enhance people’s work rather than replace it. Create a sense of belonging. Inclusion and psychological safety are essential for high-performing teams. Stay open and ask for help. Strong leaders grow through curiosity and collaboration, not by having all the answers. Show notes Successful Public Governance | Utrecht University Speech to the American Society for Public Administration | Crawford School of Public Policy Pathways to Positive Public Administration An International Perspective | Book Has the time arrived for Positive Public Administration | The Mandarin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector
After 164 episodes, we bid farewell to Work with Purpose. Marking this special occasion, IPAA ACT CEO Kate Driver turns the microphone around on host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, and one of the podcast’s first guests, IPAA National President Andrew Metcalfe AO.
On the penultimate episode of Work with Purpose, Jaala Hinchcliffe, Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, shines a light on the important, yet often unseen work of DPS, and discusses why integrity is not simply something people have or lack, but rather a skill that must be practised.
Governments generate endless information, but so much of it goes unseen. So, how do we turn it into content people actually care about?
What happens when senior leaders step out of meeting rooms and into frontline service environments?
In this episode of Work with Purpose, we discuss how a widening gap between external change and internal capability in the public sector is becoming a major threat to both public trust and effective government. As governments navigate social media distortion, geopolitical instability, cognitive warfare and rapid advances in AI, many public institutions are still operating in rigid, slow-moving ways better suited to an earlier era.