The HR & CQ Show

Emma Jordaan & Sarah Brooks
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HR & CQ Edge is an independent strategic intelligence series addressing the most pressing human capital challenges facing organisations in the UAE, GCC and beyond.Anchored in the EDGE framework — Equity, Direction, Growth and Experience, each episode convenes senior practitioners, executives and subject matter leaders to examine the evidence, challenge conventional thinking and advance the people agenda at board level.For CHROs, people executives and senior business leaders who understand that organisational performance begins and ends with people.Hosted by Emma Jordaan Founder of Infinite Consulting and Sarah Brooks, FCIPD, Founder of Fikrah HR and regularly joined by distinguished guest contributors from across the UAE, GCC and global HR community.

  1. Sep 24

    Episode 23: The Pay Transparency Conversation: Is the UAE Ready to Talk About Money?

    Send us Fan Mail Pay has traditionally been one of the most private conversations in the workplace. But could that be about to change? With new pay transparency requirements coming into force across Europe, global organisations are facing increasing pressure to be clearer about salary ranges, pay structures and how remuneration decisions are made. And while the legislation may originate elsewhere, its impact may not stop at Europe's borders. In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, Sarah and Emma explore what the growing pay transparency movement could mean for organisations operating in the UAE and wider GCC — and whether businesses should be preparing for a very different conversation about money. Together, they discuss: • How European pay transparency requirements could impact global organisations operating in the UAE • Why HR teams should start reviewing salary and benefits structures now • What happens when employees gain greater visibility of salaries advertised to new recruits • The importance of being able to justify differences in pay based on experience, performance, qualifications and other legitimate factors • Why organisations need to look beyond basic salary and consider the value of the total package • The risks created by unexplained pay disparities • How culture influences our willingness to discuss money, challenge authority and ask questions about pay • Why a one-size-fits-all approach to communicating pay transparency may not work in a multicultural workforce • Practical steps HR teams can take now to identify potential issues and prepare for future conversations The episode also explores a particularly sensitive question for the region: what happens when greater transparency exposes pay disparities that organisations may struggle to justify? Because pay transparency isn't simply about publishing a salary range. It's about having the structures, evidence and communication strategy to explain why people are paid what they're paid and being prepared for employees to start asking questions. Whether you're an HR leader, business owner or senior leader responsible for people strategy, this episode will help you start thinking about the conversations your organisation may need to have before you're forced to have them. 🌐 Website: hrcq-edge.com 📧 Email: info@hrcq-edge.com This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

  2. Aug 27

    Episode 22: The Manager Squeeze: Why Your Middle Managers Are Struggling

    Send us Fan Mail Middle managers are under pressure like never before. They're expected to deliver results, lead teams, implement strategy, manage change and support employee wellbeing—all whilst navigating uncertainty themselves. It's no surprise that Gallup's latest research shows manager engagement is declining at almost three times the rate of employees. So what's really causing the "manager squeeze"? In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, Sarah and Emma explore the pressures facing middle managers and why many organisations are unintentionally setting them up to struggle. Together, they discuss: • Why role ambiguity is one of the biggest drivers of manager disengagement • The importance of transparency and giving managers visibility of business objectives • How organisational culture influences decision-making and autonomy • Why some managers speak up while others stay silent—and the role culture plays in that behaviour • The challenges of leading multicultural teams in the UAE • Practical ways HR can better support managers through communication, organisational design and clearer decision-making frameworks • Why reviewing job architecture, authority levels and organisational structures has never been more important The conversation also explores how Cultural Intelligence can help leaders better understand different communication styles, attitudes towards hierarchy and decision-making, creating environments where managers feel confident to contribute, ask questions and lead effectively. One message sits at the heart of this episode: If we want managers to take ownership, we must also give them the clarity, trust and support to succeed. Whether you're a business owner, senior leader, HR professional or middle manager yourself, this episode offers practical insights to help you build stronger managers, healthier organisations and more effective teams. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

    Episode 22: The Manager Squeeze: Why Your Middle Managers Are Struggling

  3. Jul 30

    Episode 21: Leading Through Uncertainty: Thriving in a BANI World

    Send us Fan Mail If you've ever felt like the workplace has become harder to navigate, you're not imagining it. In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, we explore why the traditional VUCA model no longer reflects the reality many organisations are facing, and why the concept of a BANI world—Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear and Incomprehensible, offers a more accurate picture of today's business environment. Drawing on conversations from our recent HR & CQ Breakfast Bites event, we discuss what this means for leaders, HR professionals and employees working across the UAE and beyond. In this episode, we explore: • Why VUCA no longer tells the whole story • What a BANI world looks like in practice • How uncertainty and anxiety are influencing workplace culture and decision-making • The impact of AI, global events and workforce transformation on organisations • Why leaders need to move beyond control and focus on empathy, adaptability and communication • How anxiety is experienced and expressed differently across cultures • Practical ways HR teams and leaders can better support employees during periods of uncertainty • How Cultural Intelligence provides a practical framework for navigating complexity and leading across cultures One thing is becoming increasingly clear. We may not be able to predict what's coming next, but we can develop the capabilities, behaviours and leadership approaches needed to respond with greater confidence. Whether you're leading a team, shaping organisational culture, or simply trying to make sense of an increasingly unpredictable world of work, this episode offers practical insights to help you lead with clarity, confidence and compassion. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

  4. Jun 25

    Episode 20: Beyond Yoga & Fruit Bowls: Rethinking Workplace Wellbeing

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, we’re continuing the conversation from our  HR & CQ Breakfast Bites event and responding to one of the key questions raised by the audience: How do we get wellbeing taken seriously by the C-suite? Wellbeing is often dismissed as the “nice to have” part of HR, fruit bowls, yoga sessions, and one-off initiatives. But in reality, wellbeing has a direct impact on productivity, retention, engagement, absenteeism, psychological safety, and business performance. In this episode, we explore what it really means to take a holistic approach to wellbeing in the workplace and why wellbeing initiatives need to be designed with culture in mind. We discuss: • How to build a stronger business case for wellbeing • Why ROI matters when speaking to the C-suite • Why wellbeing means different things across different cultures • How to create inclusive wellbeing initiatives for a multicultural workforce • Low-cost wellbeing ideas that still make a meaningful impact • The role of accommodation, transport, food, financial wellbeing, and community • Why not every initiative will work for every employee • How HR teams can design a wellbeing calendar that feels relevant, inclusive, and practical Because wellbeing is not just about offering initiatives. It is about understanding what your people actually need and creating workplaces where they can feel supported, respected, and able to perform at their best. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

  5. May 28

    Episode 19 – The Human Advantage with Andrew Stotter-Brooks (Live from HR & CQ Summit 2026)

    Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of The HR & CQ Show, recorded live at our HR & CQ Summit 2026, we’re joined by Andrew Stotter-Brooks, Global Learning & Development Director at TGI Fridays. Together, we explore what it really takes to lead, perform, and build high-impact teams in today’s increasingly complex world  and why the real competitive edge isn’t technology… it’s people. In this episode, we unpack: •Why leadership today is defined by complexity, clarity, and trust  •What separates organisations that execute well from those that don’t  •Why systems matter, but performance comes from how people operate within them  •The role of trust and why once it’s broken, it’s never fully restored  •The leadership capability most lacking today: listening and asking the right questions  •Why psychological safety is critical to performance  •Leadership lessons from global markets and why “people are people”  •The human advantage in a world increasingly shaped by AI  •Why “soft skills” are actually power skills  •How leaders can better support teams during times of uncertainty  We also explore the reality of leading in the GCC, one of the most diverse talent markets in the world and why connection, respect, and understanding are essential to unlocking performance. Because in the future of work… Technology will reshape roles, but it won’t replace human connection. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

  6. Apr 30

    Episode 18 - Navigating Cross-Cultural Teams in the UAE: Why Culture Drives Behaviour at Work

    Send us Fan Mail What actually shapes culture inside an organisation? And why does everything seem to shift when leadership changes? In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, we unpack one of the most relevant challenges facing organisations in the UAE today — navigating cross-cultural teams. Drawing on real questions from our HR & CQ Breakfast Bites events, we explore:  Why individual cultural values (not just organisational values) shape workplace behaviour  How leadership changes can completely shift team dynamics  The reality of working across different cultural expectations around time, communication, and hierarchy  Why relationship-building is critical in the UAE — and why many leaders underestimate it  How remote and hybrid teams are losing trust without intentional connection  Practical ways HR leaders can diagnose communication breakdowns  Why most organisations mislabel communication issues instead of recognising them as cultural  The role of Cultural Intelligence training, coaching, and behavioural accountability  How diversity drives innovation, performance, and business outcomes We also explore the Cultural Intelligence lens — how assumptions, perceptions, and behaviours differ across cultures, and what leaders must do to adapt. If you are leading a multicultural team, working across borders, or operating in the UAE’s diverse workforce — this episode will challenge how you think about culture at work. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

    Episode 18 - Navigating Cross-Cultural Teams in the UAE: Why Culture Drives Behaviour at Work

  7. Mar 26

    Episode 17 - End-of-Service Benefits in the UAE: What Every Employee & Employer Needs to Know

    Send us Fan Mail End-of-service benefits (gratuity) continue to be one of the most frequently asked questions at our HR & CQ Breakfast Bites and Summit events, so in this episode, we’re unpacking it properly. Sarah, our employment law expert, breaks down: What UAE law actually says about gratuity (mainland, free zones, DIFC & ADGM)What counts as final settlement vs. end-of-service benefitsWhether companies can legally refuse to payWhat deductions are and are not allowedNew alternative schemes (including DIFC’s DEWS model)What employees should never sign without receivingHow to raise complaints with MOHRE or free zone authoritiesWhy cultural dynamics can stop employees from asking the right questionsThe role of whistleblower policies in DIFC and ADGMWe also explore the Cultural Intelligence lens, why employees from authority-oriented cultures may hesitate to challenge calculations, and how HR leaders can create transparency and psychological safety around end-of-service processes. If you work in HR, lead teams in the UAE, or are navigating your own employment journey here, this is essential listening. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

  8. Feb 26

    Episode 16 - Talent Acquisition & Retention in a Culturally Diverse Marketplace

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, Emma Jordaan and Sarah Brooks are joined by Niall Hughes, Talent Acquisition Director at KEO International, for an in-depth conversation on hiring, retaining, and managing talent in one of the world’s most culturally diverse regions. Recorded at Ru'ya 25, Dubai World Trade Center, this episode explores the realities of talent acquisition in the GCC — from Emiratisation and nationalisation strategies to navigating applicant tracking systems, CV screening, and cultural integration in multinational teams. With over 60 nationalities represented across KEO’s workforce and operations spanning the GCC and Europe, Niall shares practical, behind-the-scenes insights from the employer side of recruitment that jobseekers, HR professionals, and leaders rarely get to hear. In this episode, we discuss: - How KEO attracts and retains talent across 60+ nationalities - Emiratisation and nationalisation: challenges, myths, and what’s actually working - Graduate programmes and developing local talent sustainably - Managing culturally diverse teams across regions, roles, and time zones - Common CV mistakes recruiters see — and how AI & ATS really work - Why honesty, clarity, and relevance matter more than ever in applications - Cultural adjustment tips for professionals new to the UAE - Cost of living expectations and the reality of job hunting in Dubai - Why patience, adaptability, and cultural awareness are career accelerators in the region Whether you’re: ✔️ A jobseeker considering a move to the UAE ✔️ Already applying for roles in the region ✔️ An HR or Talent Acquisition professional ✔️ A leader managing diverse, multinational teams this episode offers grounded, practical insight from someone who sits at the heart of hiring decisions. This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities. Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...

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About

HR & CQ Edge is an independent strategic intelligence series addressing the most pressing human capital challenges facing organisations in the UAE, GCC and beyond.Anchored in the EDGE framework — Equity, Direction, Growth and Experience, each episode convenes senior practitioners, executives and subject matter leaders to examine the evidence, challenge conventional thinking and advance the people agenda at board level.For CHROs, people executives and senior business leaders who understand that organisational performance begins and ends with people.Hosted by Emma Jordaan Founder of Infinite Consulting and Sarah Brooks, FCIPD, Founder of Fikrah HR and regularly joined by distinguished guest contributors from across the UAE, GCC and global HR community.

Information

  • Creator
    Emma Jordaan & Sarah Brooks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The HR & CQ Show
  • Show Website
    The HR & CQ Show