Find Grow Keep

Karen Kirton Amplify HR

Bite-sized people & business advice for forward-thinking Founders, CEOs, and Senior Business Leaders in Australia & beyond. As a leader, you’re responsible for growth, navigating market changes, all while trying to find time for to recruit, develop, retain and motivate your team. It’s a lot. Managing the 'people stuff' effectively is not just an HR function – It’s a core aspect of running a successful business. If you're looking to unlock growth and drive performance, these short and practical podcast episodes will give you the tools and insights to get your business to the next stage by leveraging great people and culture. Brought to you by Karen Kirton, Founder of Amplify HR, Karen has over 20 years' experience in People Management, degrees in Business and Psychology, and is the Amazon best-selling author of “Great People, Great Business: Your HR handbook for creating a business that’s ready to scale and grow”. Karen is passionate about creating workplaces that engage and inspire—especially for small to medium sized This podcast is designed to give you practical, down-to-earth solutions and real life case studies that will genuinely make a difference. Learn more at: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

  1. 2.158 Psychological Safety vs Psychosocial Safety at Work with Peter Brace

    6d ago

    2.158 Psychological Safety vs Psychosocial Safety at Work with Peter Brace

    Karen is joined by Peter Brace for a thoughtful and practical conversation about the difference between psychological safety and psychosocial safety, and why both matter in creating healthier, more effective workplaces.  These are terms that are being talked about more often, especially as employers navigate their responsibilities around psychosocial hazards and workplace wellbeing. But for many leaders, they can still feel unclear or overwhelming.   In this conversation, Peter breaks it down in a simple way and shares practical insights to help leaders better understand what to look for, what to ask, and where to start.  In today’s episode, you will learn about:  The difference between psychological safety and psychosocial safety, and how the two are connected What leaders often misunderstand about psychological safety and the behaviours that can either build or damage it Common psychosocial hazards at work, including overwork, uncertainty, bullying, harassment, and poorly defined roles Early warning signs that a workplace may be becoming psychologically unsafe How leaders and business owners can start identifying psychosocial risks through better conversations and by looking at workplace data Why this is about much more than compliance, and how safer workplaces can improve wellbeing, trust, and performance Simple, practical ways leaders can create environments where people feel safe to speak up and supported in doing their best work If you are a business owner, leader, or manager wanting to create a healthier workplace culture, this episode will give you practical ideas to reflect on and apply in your own business.  Make sure you subscribe to stay updated with new episodes released on Mondays.  Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.  Connect with Peter: https://humancapitalrealisation.com/  Or https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbracehcr   Send us Fan Mail

    27 min
  2. 2.156 How Purpose and Values Help Small Businesses Grow with Jason Le

    May 10

    2.156 How Purpose and Values Help Small Businesses Grow with Jason Le

    In this episode of the Find Grow Keep podcast, Karen sits down with Jason Le from JRNY Digital to talk about why purpose, values, vision and mission are not just nice words for your website. They help shape how small businesses grow, how they market themselves, who they attract, how they make decisions, and how they build teams that truly fit.  We explore why so many businesses struggle to stand out when they try to appeal to everyone, how authentic values help connect with the right clients and employees, and why your personal story often holds the key to your business purpose.  Jason also shares how his own family’s experience in small business shaped the work he does today, and why clarity around who you serve can make every part of your business stronger.  In this episode, we cover:  Why purpose is a practical business tool, not a fluffy extra How values influence brand, culture and hiring Why generic messaging makes businesses easy to ignore How to define what your business really stands for How clarity helps small businesses grow with intention If you are a small business owner who wants to grow with more clarity, alignment and impact, this conversation is well worth a listen.  Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!   Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.   Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-le1/   Send us Fan Mail

    29 min
  3. May 3

    2.155 7 Management Tasks You Can Automate Today (Without Losing Control)

    In this episode, Karen discusses how founders and business leaders can use automation to save time, reduce admin, and create more consistency across their people processes without removing the human side of leadership.  Because for many growing businesses, people management starts off as something you simply absorb into your day. But as the team grows, so does the admin. Before long, you are spending hours on follow up, reminders, approvals, and processes that do not really need to depend on you.  In today’s episode, we explore seven practical management tasks you can start automating now, including:  Recruitment admin, so you can spend less time on back and forth and more time making good hiring decisions Onboarding workflows, to create a smoother and more consistent experience for new starters Performance check in reminders, so important conversations do not keep slipping when things get busy Training and compliance tracking, to reduce risk and make sure important requirements are not missed Leave and timesheet approvals, to cut down on unnecessary friction and manual follow up Routine employee communication, so key updates are sent clearly and consistently Reporting and dashboards, to help you spot patterns early and make better people decisions If you have ever felt like you have become the accidental HR manager in your own business, this episode will help you think more clearly about what to systemise, what to keep personal, and where to start.  Make sure you subscribe so you do not miss future episodes.  Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.  Book a free discovery call: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie Send us Fan Mail Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

    20 min
  4. 2.153 How to Build a Business That Does Not Depend on You with Don Hett

    Apr 19

    2.153 How to Build a Business That Does Not Depend on You with Don Hett

    In this episode, Karen is joined by Don Hett, founder of CleanKings, EarthyTabs and Crittiks.  Thirteen years ago, Don started CleanKings. Over time, the business grew successfully, but like many Founders, he found himself deeply embedded in the day to day operations. At one point he realised he had become a prisoner of his own company. That moment became a turning point.  In this conversation, Don shares how he transitioned from being the hands on operator to becoming the visionary leader behind the business. He talks openly about the systems, operational clarity and leadership capability required to build a company that does not rely solely on the founder.  We explore:  The emotional shift from doer to leader of leaders Why hiring people smarter than you is essential for growth How to build culture across multiple ventures The importance of delegation with clarity and accountability What founders should stop doing if they want to scale How overthinking can stall business momentum We also discuss Don’s latest venture, EarthyTabs, a purpose driven startup tackling the environmental impact of cleaning chemicals. Born from frustration inside his own cleaning company, EarthyTabs combines product innovation with measurable sustainability data, helping businesses understand the real impact of their choices.  If you are a founder, business owner or leader who wants to scale without being trapped in operations, this episode offers practical insights grounded in real experience.  Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!   Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.   Also Mentioned in This Episode:  Connect with Don Hett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donhettofficial/   Earthy Tabs: https://www.earthytabs.com/  Send us Fan Mail

    24 min
  5. Apr 12

    2.152 HR Support Services: How the Right HR Partner Strengthens Your Business

    In this episode, we explore what HR support services actually include, why they matter so much for growing businesses, and how the right support can help leaders feel more confident, reduce risk, and create a stronger workplace.  If you are spending more and more time dealing with hiring, performance issues, compliance questions, awkward conversations, or workplace tensions, this episode will help you understand when external HR support starts to make sense and what real value it can bring.  In today’s episode, you will learn about:  What HR support services are and why they are about much more than policies and paperwork The key areas good HR support can help with, including compliance, employee relations, performance management, recruitment, onboarding, and strategic advice Why growing businesses often reach a point where their people practices need to catch up with their business growth The signs it might be time to bring in external HR support What an HR consultant actually does and how they can help simplify the people side of running a business Why outsourced HR can be a smart and flexible option for small and medium businesses How HR support can help with Fair Work compliance and reduce the stress of getting it wrong The difference the right HR partner can make to leadership confidence, employee experience, and business performance This episode is a helpful one for business owners and leaders who want to strengthen their HR foundations before things start to feel urgent.  Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays.  Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.  Free Download: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep/ Send us Fan Mail Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

    16 min
  6. 2.151 How to Run a Simple Recruitment Process for Small Business with Daniel Moussa

    Apr 5

    2.151 How to Run a Simple Recruitment Process for Small Business with Daniel Moussa

    In this episode, Karen is  joined by Dan Moussa from Third Way Advisory, and we unpack what really makes recruitment work in a small business. We talk about why so many hiring processes go off track before you even post the job ad, how to spot the early warning signs, and how to keep your process simple without being sloppy.   In today’s episode, you will learn about  The most common leadership hiring mistake Dan sees, and why it usually comes down to skipping the preparation stage.  The two biggest red flags your recruitment process is off track, including what it means when you are drowning in CVs or interviewing too many people without making a decision.  Why internal alignment matters more than the job description, and what to discuss with stakeholders before you brief a recruiter or go to market.  The referral trap, and how to keep your process consistent even when someone comes recommended.  How to think about hiring a “superstar” versus hiring the “glue” and what that means for culture, performance, and retention over the long term.  The reality of AI in recruitment, from AI written CVs to candidates using tools during video interviews, and how businesses can respond without panic.  What great onboarding and retention looks like in practice, including why monthly feedback loops in the first six months can make a big difference.  Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!   Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.   Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-moussa-1307a522/ Send us Fan Mail

    24 min

About

Bite-sized people & business advice for forward-thinking Founders, CEOs, and Senior Business Leaders in Australia & beyond. As a leader, you’re responsible for growth, navigating market changes, all while trying to find time for to recruit, develop, retain and motivate your team. It’s a lot. Managing the 'people stuff' effectively is not just an HR function – It’s a core aspect of running a successful business. If you're looking to unlock growth and drive performance, these short and practical podcast episodes will give you the tools and insights to get your business to the next stage by leveraging great people and culture. Brought to you by Karen Kirton, Founder of Amplify HR, Karen has over 20 years' experience in People Management, degrees in Business and Psychology, and is the Amazon best-selling author of “Great People, Great Business: Your HR handbook for creating a business that’s ready to scale and grow”. Karen is passionate about creating workplaces that engage and inspire—especially for small to medium sized This podcast is designed to give you practical, down-to-earth solutions and real life case studies that will genuinely make a difference. Learn more at: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep