Reimagining HR with Trina Sunday

Are HR leaders really locked out of the CEO seat, or are we holding ourselves back?

In this episode, I talk about the real reasons HR professionals aren’t landing the top job, and why it’s not because we're underqualified.

From imposter syndrome to commercial confidence and the myth of “not being given the chance.” I break down the habits and mindset traps keeping us small and how to break free from them.

What if the skills you’ve honed in HR are exactly what’s needed to be a CEO?

In this episode, I challenge one of the most frustrating myths in the business world. That HR leaders can’t become CEOs. I spotlight some standout CHRO-to-CEO success stories, from Leena Nair’s leap from Unilever to Chanel, to Mary Barra’s transformation of General Motors, to Anne Mulcahy pulling Xerox back from the brink.

These aren&apos...

What happens when a Coldplay kiss cam moment spirals into a corporate crisis, executive resignations, and a global HR debate?

In this episode, I unpack the very public Coldplay kiss cam controversy that led to the sudden exit of Astronomer’s CEO and CPO, and what it reveals about power dynamics, bias, and the hidden cracks in organisational culture. Using this as a case study, I explore how HR should respond when the funct...

What if leading with heart was the most strategic move you could make?

In this episode of Reimagining HR, I challenge the old-school discomfort around emotions in the boardroom and unpack why heart-led leadership isn’t fluffy, it’s functional. From the red dust of the Pilbara to the pressure of the C-suite, I share real stories, data and practical tools that prove heart is hardwired for performance.

You’ll hear ab...

Do you ever wonder if workplace conflict could strengthen relationships, instead of breaking them?

In this episode, we chat with mediator Tania Waters about how conflict shows up in the workplace and what happens behind closed doors in mediation. We break down the myths about conflict resolution, from the “personality clash” label to why grievances often fester instead of getting solved.

You’ll hear how Tania’s li...

What if creativity wasn’t just a nice-to-have at work, but the missing link for real belonging, innovation and impact?

In this episode, I’m joined by Bourby Webster, a creative powerhouse and the founder of the Perth Symphony Orchestra. We talk about the power of creativity in the workplace and beyond. Bourby’s lived experience shows how creative spaces can spark community, drive fresh thinking, and open doors to authentic...

Have you ever wondered if your self-respect is the missing piece to your success?

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Katherine Iscoe about why self-respect matters just as much, if not more, than confidence in your career. We explore the difference between self-respect, confidence and self-esteem, and how understanding these can help HR leaders, and anyone really, to build healthier, more authentic workplaces.

Dr. K...

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 th...

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 c...

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, a...

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 accountab...

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 wit...

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...

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 th...

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, a...

Are we outsourcing HR too much… or just enough?

HR outsourcing is booming, but what does that really mean for the profession? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real impact of outsourcing, consulting, and fractional HR. What’s driving the trend, the risks and rewards, and where in-house HR teams must hold their ground.

I’m cutting through the noise to help you figure out when outsourcing makes sense, when it w...

Just when you thought you knew what was in store for HR in 2025... the landscape has changed.

From political shifts and cultural clashes to the rollback of DEI initiatives, there’s no shortage of challenges shaking up workplaces right now. In this episode, I unpack what’s making organisations and HR teams uncomfortable and, more importantly, what leaders should and could be doing to support their people, including themselv...

What does it take for organisations to thrive amidst the challenges of talent disruptions and technological change?

In this final episode of my three-part series unpacking AIHR's HR Trends Report for 2025, I run through the tactical strategies organisations need to not just survive but succeed in a world defined by constant evolution.

We’ll talk about why execution in HR is everything, how antifragile workfor...

How can HR leaders turn the challenges of shifting talent dynamics into opportunities to create a thriving, future-ready workplace?

This episode is part two of the AIHR HR Trends Report for 2025, highlighting how shifting talent dynamics, from the golden age of the silver worker to the women's equity effect, are shaping both challenges and opportunities in HR. Find out how these trends are reshaping the workplace and ...