C-Level Conversations

Hosted by Amrutha Murali

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Latest episode

Apr 2025

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EN-AU

About the show

C- Level Conversations is a podcast where Amrutha Murali interviews leaders in business and management across all sectors. These are real life conversations with leaders working to overcome professional challenges. Inspiring conversations to learn from, for resilient and curious; corporate executives, human resources, business owners, Millennial generation leaders and ambitious people aspiring to lead. Amrutha Murali is the founder and Managing Director of Executive Search and Recruitment Consultancy firm JobFitts Consultants in Sydney Australia. She has 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Recruitment consulting.

Listen to episodes

10 recent

April 29, 2025Episode 1026 min

Our Obsession with Cultural Fit Will Kill Workplace Diversity

Podcast Episode: Our Obsession with Cultural Fit Will Kill Workplace DiversityIn this thought-provoking episode of C-Level Conversations, Professor Gary Martin, CEO of the Australian Institute of Management WA, unpacks the increasingly controversial concept of "cultural fit" in hiring and why it might be doing more harm than good.What once began as a way to build cohesive, values-aligned teams has morphed into a gatekeeping tool that reinforces bias, stifles diversity, and limits innovation. Professor Martin explains how the fixation on hiring people we feel comfortable with those who look, think, and act like us can unintentionally shut out difference and dilute workplace potential.We explore the dangers of “looking glass merit,” the myth of sameness, and how it’s time to replace “fit” with “add.” Learn why embracing cultural add over cultural fit is critical for future-focused organisations committed to inclusion, performance, and growth.🎧 Tune in to learn:Why cultural fit is no longer fit-for-purposeHow to spot hidden biases in recruitmentThe business case for hiring differenceWhat leaders can do to foster true inclusion through hiringThis is a must-listen for business leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to building workplaces that thrive through diversity.Connect with - Professor Gary Martin FAIMLinkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/professorgarymartin/

March 17, 2025Episode 925 min

Exclusive Talent Trends 2025 Webinar

Podcast Episode: Talent Trends 2025: A Roadmap for Smarter Hiring and RetentionIn this insightful episode, Amrutha hosts with Jason. S. Bradshaw – Global Guru on Customer Experience | Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of customer engagement, uncovering strategies that businesses can adopt to deliver exceptional experiences in 2025 and beyond.What to Expect:Insights on emerging customer experience trendsProven strategies for building customer loyaltyPractical tips on leveraging technology to enhance interactionsReal-world examples of companies achieving customer successJason shares actionable insights drawn from his extensive experience working with global brands, empowering leaders to redefine their customer experience strategies in a rapidly changing market.Whether you are a business leader, customer service professional, or entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable takeaways to strengthen customer relationships and drive long-term success.

March 22, 2024Episode 829 min

The Double Bind Dilemma for Women in Leadership

The Double Bind Dilemma for Women in Leadership, with Sandy Chakravarty, Chair of Audi and Risk Committees, CFO, COO.In this powerful episode, With Sandy Chakravarty, Chair of Audi and Risk Committees, CFO, COO. , a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience, joins Amrutha to discuss the "double bind dilemma" that women leaders face in the workplace. Sandy shares her personal journey, leadership insights, and strategies for overcoming societal biases.Key Takeaways:The Double Bind Dilemma: Women leaders are often seen as either too hard or too soft, creating a challenging balance.Navigating Higher Standards: Women are frequently held to stricter performance benchmarks for fewer rewards.Personal Growth through Adversity: Sandy reflects on how her early life experiences shaped her leadership journey.Embracing Adaptive Leadership: Women can succeed by blending authoritative and empathetic approaches to meet diverse workplace demands.The Power of Mentorship: Building supportive relationships and mentorship is essential for navigating leadership challenges.Sandy’s insights underscore the need to redefine leadership standards, challenge unconscious biases, and foster inclusive environments where women leaders can thrive.🎙️ Tune in now to gain valuable strategies for breaking barriers and advancing in leadership!

May 18, 2023Episode 730 min

Current Megatrends in the World of Work PLUS How can you accelerate you Career Advancement & Progression?

With Karan Ferrell-Rhodes - CEO & Lead Strategist, Shockingly Different Leadership Leaders will need to maintain energy and momentum to prepare the business for what lies ahead with the Global talent shortage.In today’s episode we talk about:What are some of the hottest megatrends in the world of work?Key critical success factors of the world's most successful leadersHow can you accelerate your career advancement.Today’s guest - Karan Rhodes an Organizational strategist who specialises in up-leveling leader capability and optimizing workforces to excel.Karan with her team of over 250 SDL consultants have worked with executive teams at impressive brands such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, British Petroleum, Meta, EY, Raymond James, Major League Baseball, and the NFl to name some.Listen in as Karan gives us her expert insights on the current mega trends in the world of work. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanrhodes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShockinglyDifferent Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shockinglydifferent/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ShockinglyD Website - https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/

October 20, 2021Episode 645 min

Delivering a sustainable CX by improving EX – with Jason. S. Bradshaw - Global Guru on Customer Experience | Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker

With over 30% of consumers willing to stop doing business with you after just 1 bad experience, there has never been a better time than now to focus on improving the experiences you create and deliver for your customers. However, the foundation to delivering a consistent customer experience is the employee experience. Global research confirms that companies who are best-in-class when it comes to employee experience outperform their fortune 500 competitors in ways that it matters, including customer experience and shareholder returns. In today’s episode we will explore - What is customer experience - Why data is key to driving customer experience- The value of human connection in a digital exp- Personalization in CX - The role of EX in CX - And more Today’s guest is Jason. S. Bradshaw.Jason created his first business at fourteen, selling telecommunications and computer equipment which opened his eyes to the power of customer and employee experience.He worked with companies including Telstra, Target Australia, Fairfax Media, New South Wales Government, Optus, and Volkswagen Group Australia, he sat on the boards of ACON Health Limited and Oz ShowBiz Cares. His ultimate passion is helping individuals and organisations, grow and achieve their goals. Read more about the awards Jason won here. Connect with Jason – Twitter – https://twitter.com/jasonsbradshaw Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsbradshaw/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jasonsbradshaw/ Instagram – https://www.facebook.com/jasonsbradshaw/ Website - https://www.jasonsbradshaw.com/

September 1, 2021Episode 552 min

Building Social Capital though Corporate Social Investment with Dr. David Cooke – Director ESG Advisory

Why is Social Responsibility a critical part of the overall business strategy now? As customers, employees, suppliers and, indeed, society more broadly place increasing importance on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), some leaders have started to look at it as a creative opportunity to strengthen their brands while contributing to society at the same time.For companies that see CSR as an opportunity to strengthen the business, the big challenge is execution. They view CSR as central to their overall strategies, helping them to creatively address key business issues The big challenge for executives is how to develop an approach that can truly deliver on these lofty ambitions and, yet few have necessarily fulfilled these ambitions.Today’s guest is one such leader who has not only researched the relationship between commercial organisations and charitable ones but has implemented responsible business strategies in an emphatic way in organisations he has led. Today’s guest is Dr. David Cooke.He completed a doctorate in 2009 titled “The philanthropic contract: Building Social Capital though Corporate Social Investment” which dealt with the role of profit–making corporations in furthering the work of the NGO sector and why this was sound business practice. His work was awarded the Emerald Publishing Globally Responsible Leadership award for Social Impact in 2011 and in 2014 he was awarded the Top Alumnus of the last 20 years by the Southern Cross University Business School. In 2020 he was awarded a doctorate honoris causa by Edith Cowan University for the implementation of responsible business initiatives in addressing modern slavery within corporate supply chains.David has always sought to establish a work environment that fosters equity, diversity and inclusiveness.He has spent 35 years in the tech sector in Australia and was appointed as the first non-Japanese Chairman & Managing Director of Konica Minolta Australia in 2013. Prior to that he held senior management positions with Canon and Xerox. David is now consulting through his firm, ESG Advisory. Today we ask DavidWhy is responsible business initiatives more important now than ever before? How can leaders execute CSR effectively and connect it to ROI?How his social responsibility focused leadership paradigm transformed Konica Minolta Australia’s culture to become an award-winning employer of choice?Resources mentioned in the podcast Modern Slavery Act Australia (link) https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018A00153Global Slavery Index Australia (link) https://www.globalslaveryindex.org/The Philanthropic Contract: Building Social Capital though Corporate Social Investment (PDF) SelectedWorks - David Cooke (bepress.com)UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Connect with Dr. David Cooke Website – https://esgadvisory.com.au Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidcooke/ Twitter – @drdavidcooke

July 4, 2021Episode 421 min

Learnings from implementing High Performance

Bruce Emery – High Performance Transformation Leader | MD - TransformdWhy does a high-performance work culture matter? A high-performance culture helps the organisation achieve high levels of performance and results consistently over time. It’s no wonder then that building a high-performance culture is a chief goal for many leaders as it can mean the difference between stagnation and growth, competitiveness and being left behind. High-performance work practices empower employees, which helps organizational efficiency and performance.Companies using high performance practices benefit from reduced employee turnover while increasing their productivity and financial performance. However, it requires the trust and support of the employees for it to be effective. My guest for this episode is Bruce Emery. Over the past twenty years, Bruce has delivered outstanding success growing underperforming businesses, implementing high performance, developing people and managing the design and execution of new product and opening up new markets.Today Bruce explains:How an organisation needs to prepare when implementing High Performance. What leaders need to do to for their teams to shift form under performance. The key learnings from implementing High Performance in five companies. The characteristics of a high-performance culture.

April 7, 2021Episode 324 min

How Can A Leader Create A Fun Culture By Being Authentic

How can a leader create a fun culture by being authentic? Dean Talbot – Chief Sales and Service Executive (Banking) Leaders have had to step up in a big way in the last 12 months…and will continue to have to do so ..in the recovery ahead! It was a learning experience for everyone, but one that clarified the importance of positive leadership. It seems counterintuitive to suggest that work should be fun, right? Our whole lives we’ve been taught “work hard, play hard”. But why can’t work be fun in itself?Positive company culture is the best way to keep your employees and attract new ones. A fun culture stems from the energy and the vibe of your workplace, and it’s up to the leaders to set the tone for their team.Today’s guest is Dean Talbot – Chief Sales and Service Officer, he has worked in C-Suite executive leadership positions with leading innovative and customer centric Australian banks for over 20 years. Today Dean explains:The role a leader plays in developing a positive culture. How a fun positive culture contributes to productivity. Why leaders must encourage people to be themselves completely.Conversation Highlights:How can you as a leader set the tone for a fun culture? The importance of authenticity in leadership. It is more important than ever for leaders to show their staff they genuinely care. Why do talented corporate professionals self-opt out of a company? What can you do to set up a fun engaged culture? Lessons learnt form sport applicable in business.

March 6, 2021Episode 225 min

The Journey of Change

Neyhaa Srivastava – Head of Retail Banking Branches – Credit Union Australia _____________________________________________________________________________About this episode Change is inevitable. Be it in business or personal life, it often requires new ways of thinking and doing – shifting people from what they are used to, to the unknown. For many, change can be a positive thing. But it can also generate a feeling of uncertainty and resistance.Neyhaa is a change management expert. She has lead change in large teams across process improvement and culture within retail banking. She explains - Key elements to a successful change strategy.Resistance – what causes resistance and how she overcomes it as a change leader.

March 3, 2021Episode 151 min

Leading Through Crisis

Tracy Glen Head of Customer Assist and Fraud Operations – Latitude Financial Services _____________________________________________________________________________About this episode It has been an unimaginable twelve months the worst bushfire season ever, pandemic economic implosion, loss and lots of new normals to navigate, especially for leaders leading large teams in multiple locations in different countries even leading through crisis is our topic today. Tracy Glen is a crisis management expert. She has led large teams across multiple countries and has successfully managed teams in America through the GFC and the recent COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne. She explains in this episode her key takeaways from leading through crisis, how she kept her teams motivated, engaged and productive in the work from home environment, and her three top priorities to build a strong recovery.