Find Grow Keep

In this episode, Karen Kirton answers a question many leaders face: What do you do when a team member just doesn’t seem like themselves anymore? They might be disengaged, irritable, or withdrawn—and as a manager, it’s not always clear whether to raise it, how to approach it, or what to do if they shut you down. Karen explores how to recognise behavioural changes, initiate the right kind of convers...

As the new financial year kicks off in Australia, Karen Kirton explores a crucial factor that can make or break your business goals: the effectiveness of your middle managers. Often caught between strategic direction and operational execution, middle managers can become the "frozen middle" — disconnected, overwhelmed, and under-supported. In this episode, Karen shares how to engage, empo...

We discuss the importance of performance reviews for enhancing employee performance. As businesses evolve, a consistent approach to performance management becomes crucial, focusing on ongoing development and aligning team goals with business objectives. Tune in for insights on effective performance management strategies. Send us Fan Mail Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attra...

As performance review season rolls around, Karen Kirton takes a deep dive into the psychology of motivation to uncover what truly drives employee performance. Drawing on research in organisational behaviour and human psychology, she shares eight key motivators and offers practical tips for how managers can tap into each one to inspire their teams. In today’s episode, you will learn: 1. Autonomy Em...

As the end of the financial year approaches in Australia, Karen Kirton breaks down the current research and forecasts for small to medium-sized businesses, with a strong focus on how these trends impact people, culture, and business strategy. She identifies seven major trends that business leaders should be aware of to successfully navigate the year ahead. In today’s episode, you will learn: 1. Ba...

In this episode, Karen Kirton breaks down one of the top three challenges leaders face—how to effectively manage and reward performance. While it seems simple in theory, many businesses struggle with it in practice. Karen shares seven key reasons why performance management can go wrong and offers practical solutions to overcome them. In today’s episode, you will learn: The right manager matters. M...

In this episode, Karen Kirton challenges the myth that only artists or musicians are creative—and explores how creativity is essential for every workplace, not just “creative” industries. Drawing on insights from innovation leaders and global research, she explains how cultivating creativity in your team can drive innovation, efficiency, and long-term success. In today’s episode, you will learn: C...

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores whether company culture truly impacts business success—or if it’s just a corporate buzzword. Inspired by Adam Grant’s book Think Again , she dives into post-2020 research to “think again” about culture, productivity, and performance—and the results confirm what many leaders feel: a strong culture makes a big difference. In today’s episode, you will learn: The...

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Lachy Gray, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Yarno , a remote microlearning platform, to dive deeper into what accountability looks like in action inside a business. After exploring the theory in Episode 81, Karen brings in a business leader who’s built systems that make accountability and feedback part of the company’s DNA. In today’s episode, you wil...

As retention and productivity remain top concerns for business leaders in 2024, Karen Kirton explores one of the foundational components for success— accountability . In this solo episode, she breaks down why accountability matters, common challenges to building a culture of ownership, and practical steps to make it part of your everyday business operations. In today’s episode, you will learn: Why...

Discover how AI is revolutionising employee onboarding and development. In this episode, we dive deep into the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the onboarding and development processes within businesses. Karen is joined by Matthew Mason, founder of Maven Zeal, a digital learning agency, and they explore the transformative impact of AI on employee onboarding and development. In this e...

As the post-holiday wave of resignations begins, many businesses find themselves ramping up recruitment. In this episode, Karen Kirton unpacks three key recruitment trends shaping this year and what they mean for small to mid-sized businesses looking to stand out and hire effectively. In today’s episode, you will learn: Why AI is changing recruitment—for everyone Candidates are using AI to generat...

As the new year kicks off and resignations rise, many businesses find themselves in recruitment mode. But instead of immediately jumping to hire, Karen Kirton explores a powerful alternative— outsourcing . In this episode, she breaks down the pros and cons of outsourcing key functions and how it can help small businesses scale without the overhead. In today’s episode, you will learn: Why outsourci...

In this episode, Karen Kirton shifts the focus from business to personal, sharing a practical and structured approach to setting meaningful goals for the new year. Rather than vague resolutions, Karen introduces tools and frameworks that help you reflect on what really matters in your life, build positive habits, and create goals you’re more likely to achieve. In today’s episode, you will learn: H...

As we move into a new year, it's time to reflect on goals, priorities, and business direction. In this episode, Karen Kirton walks through a practical approach to company-wide goal setting—beyond just financial targets. Using simple frameworks, she explains how to create measurable objectives across four business pillars and how to ensure these goals drive engagement and performance across yo...

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Barbara Clifford , also known as The Time Tamer , to explore how business leaders can manage time, stress, and wellbeing—not only for themselves but for their teams—as the end-of-year pressure builds. Barbara shares practical and compassionate advice for setting boundaries, saying no with grace, and leading others through emotionally charged periods with...

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores why workplace wellbeing is more than just offering fruit bowls and gym discounts—especially as the end of the year approaches and employee stress rises. She shares practical ways to boost wellbeing across multiple domains, from financial and emotional health to psychosocial safety, and explains how doing so is not only the right thing to do, but essential for...

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Pree Sarkar, founder and director of Switch Recruitment, to explore the real reasons employees leave their jobs—and what employers can do to keep them. With decades of recruitment expertise, Pree shares candid insights into employee dissatisfaction, why compensation is rarely the full story, and how small business owners can create workplaces people want...

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores how to hold onto your great people by understanding what really makes employees stay. Drawing on open-text survey responses from multiple businesses, Karen shares ten key themes that employees say contribute to long-term engagement and satisfaction. In today’s episode, you will learn: The top 10 reasons employees stay – Based on real employee feedback across...

In this solo episode, Karen Kirton invites listeners to reflect on a fundamental but often overlooked question: when was the last time you reviewed your company values? She explores how values can guide culture and business decisions—but only if they’re embedded meaningfully, not just words on a wall. In today’s episode, you will learn: How to reflect on the purpose of your values – Why your value...

In this follow-up episode, Karen Kirton continues her conversation with David Larter from Send Jolly about how to emotionally connect with new hires through a thoughtful onboarding experience. Building on the analogy of a flight journey, David shares practical strategies for making onboarding meaningful—from setting realistic expectations to using branded gifts that reinforce a company’s values. I...

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by David Larter from Send Jolly to explore how to build emotional connection through onboarding. While process and systems are important, making new hires feel safe, welcome, and inspired from day one can significantly impact retention, engagement, and productivity. David shares stories and insights from his own onboarding experiences—both good and bad—and o...

In this insightful episode, Karen tackle's the challenges and opportunities of managing a multigenerational workforce, a reality for modern workplaces where up to five different generations collaborate. From Baby Boomers to Generation Z, each group brings unique expectations and experiences to their roles, influencing workplace dynamics significantly. In this episode, you'll explore: Und...

In this follow-up episode, Karen Kirton continues her conversation with Maja Paleka, co-founder of Juggle Strategies, on how to make hybrid working more effective. After exploring the struggles of hybrid work in Episode 64, this episode dives into practical solutions that create clarity, consistency, and connection in the workplace. In today’s episode, you will learn: Why mandating office days oft...

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Maja Paleka, co-founder of Juggle Strategies, to unpack a question many leaders are still grappling with post-pandemic: what is the purpose of the office? Despite the flexibility revolution, businesses are still struggling to land on the “right” hybrid model—and often default to mandating office days without real impact. In today’s episode, you will learn...