Radio Omnicor

Omnicor

Our podcast about the science of business! At Omnicor, we’re driven to understand as much as possible in the current organisational and people development space. Each episode will feature fascinating guests who will share tools and the latest thinking to help grow your own career or improve your team or business.

  1. 10/24/2025

    Episode 59 - Building Brands, Building Leaders with Shaun Laffer

    In this episode of Radio Omnicor’s ongoing Leadership Series, Colleen McLintock is joined by her co-host Dr Hilton Rudnick for a conversation with Shaun Laffer, an experienced business leader who bridges the worlds of finance, operational leadership, and brand building. Shaun began his career as a chartered accountant, developing strong foundations in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and financial strategy. He later transitioned into executive leadership roles across trading, distribution, and consumer goods businesses. His tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Sunpac provided him with deep exposure to the personal care and wellness industry, where he led brand growth, operational scale, and leadership team development. In this episode, Shaun shares his reflections on scaling organisations, leading through complexity, and balancing strategic discipline with consumer-centred brand thinking. 🔍 We explore: The link between financial rigour and sustainable growth How to build brands that deliver long-term value Leadership lessons from acquisitions and business turnarounds What it means to develop self-sufficient executive teams How to stay focused and grounded in a fast-paced industry What great leadership looks like in the world of consumer goods 👤 About Shaun Laffer: Shaun Laffer is a qualified chartered accountant and experienced executive with over twenty years in senior leadership roles. His career spans finance, operations, brand management, and organisational strategy. As the former Chief Executive Officer of Sunpac, Shaun played a key role in scaling the business and driving innovation in the personal care and wellness space. He continues to work with businesses on leadership and strategic growth initiatives. 🔗 Connect with Shaun Laffer on LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Sunpac at www.sunpac.co.za 🎙 Produced by: Siye Dlamini 🌐 Visit us: www.omnicor.co.za 📬 Contact: info@omnicor.co.za

    40 min
  2. 09/12/2025

    Episode 58 - Wonky Psychometrics: Sorting the Science from the Snake Oil with Andreas Wettstein & Mathew Webb

    In this episode of Radio Omnicor, we dive into the complex world of psychometrics — not just the tools themselves, but the philosophy, purpose, and challenges behind them. We’re joined by Andreas Wettstein, a seasoned expert with decades of experience in assessment strategy, and Mathew Webb, Head of Assessments at Omnicor, who brings both technical and practical insight into how psychometrics drives better decision-making. Together, we explore what separates robust, predictive tools from trendy distractions, and what it really takes to build an ethical, impactful assessment culture. In this episode, we explore: The biggest problems in how psychometrics are applied in organisations What truly predicts performance in high-stakes environments The future of gamified assessments Why we need to be cautious of typologies like MBTI, Enneagram, and DISC The persistent problem with Maslow’s hierarchy in corporate thinking Fit vs. stretch: how to approach building teams through assessment Key questions HR should ask before adopting any tool The elements of a healthy, values-driven assessment culture About our guests Andreas Wettstein is a leader in the field of psychometrics and organisational development, known for his strategic thinking and straight talk about the strengths and limitations of assessment tools.🔗 Connect with Andreas on LinkedIn Mathew Webb is Omnicor’s Head of Assessments. With deep expertise in psychometric architecture and application, Mathew is passionate about ensuring assessments serve both the organisation and the individual. He plays a pivotal role in guiding clients through tool selection and implementation with rigour and integrity.🔗 Connect with Mathew on LinkedIn 🎙 Produced by: Siye Dlamini 📬 Contact us: info@omnicor.co.za 🌐 Visit: www.omnicor.co.za

    47 min
  3. 08/08/2025

    Episode 57 - Work, Stress, Repeat: Burnout in 2025 with Dr. Colinda Linde

    Burnout isn’t just about being tired. Anxiety isn’t always obvious. And high performers? They’re often the last to ask for help. In this episode of Radio Omnicor, clinical psychologist Dr. Colinda Linde joins Colleen and Hilton to unpack the pressures of modern work. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of CBT, Colinda offers grounded, practical strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout, and creating healthier work environments, both individually and systemically.   In this episode, we explore: What burnout really is and how it differs from stress or fatigue How anxiety shows up at work, especially in high-functioning individuals The personality patterns that affect how people respond to pressure What managers can do to prevent or unintentionally fuel burnout Why “self-care” alone isn’t enough and what systemic change looks like Simple first steps for people feeling overwhelmed Tools and mindsets that really make a difference About our guest: Dr. Colinda Linde Dr. Colinda Linde is a clinical psychologist in private practice since 1993, specialising in cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety, sleep, stress, and burnout. She’s the founder of The CBT Group, creator of the self-help platform ThoughtsFirst, and a public voice for accessible mental health through her YouTube channel: @DrColindaLinde. She also serves as Chairperson of SADAG and is a frequent keynote speaker, author, and media contributor on mental health topics. 🔗 Visit thoughtsfirst.com 📺 YouTube: @DrColindaLinde 🎙 Produced by: Siye Dlamini 🌐 Visit us: www.omnicor.co.za 📬 Contact:colleen@omnicor.co.za

    52 min
  4. 04/04/2025

    Episode 55 - Beyond the Numbers: How to Make 360 Feedback Meaningful

    This episode features a panel discussion with Omnicor experts Allayne Hewson, Pam Ziman, hosted by Colleen Mclintock and Hilton Rudnick exploring the science behind effective 360-degree feedback for leadership development. The discussion covers how to deliver honest and constructive feedback and ensure it leads to growth. • Panellists emphasised the importance of creating a psychologically safe space for individuals receiving feedback by building rapport, explaining the aim of personal and professional development, and setting expectations for a dialogue. • How to handle difficult feedback sessions, such as those involving defensive individuals or hypercritical managers, emphasising the need to redirect the focus towards development7 The discussion touched upon the risks associated with 360 feedback, particularly misuse by organizations and the vulnerability felt by individuals. • The benefits and opportunities of 360 feedback were highlighted, including its potential as a "gift" for self-awareness, identifying blind spots, and fostering growth, especially for leaders. • The episode briefly covered using 360 feedback in coaching to help individuals identify takeaways and set actionable goals. • Time management in feedback sessions was discussed as a critical skill, focusing on guiding a meaningful conversation around key themes rather than exhaustively coveringevery data. • The panellists concluded by advocating for leaders to undergo 360 feedback, emphasising its importance for growth, obtaining honest feedback, and understanding their impact within the organisation. Guest’s Bio Pamela Ziman: An internationally accredited professional coach with an LLB degree and a master’s in psychology. She has been admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa and is registered with the HPCSA. With over 2,000 coaching hours and extensive experience working with executives and senior managers, Pamela specialises in guiding Leaders. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-ziman-09513575/edit/forms/next-action/after-connect- add-position/ Allayne Hewson: A professional Industrial Psychologist with expertise in talent consulting and organisational development. She specialises in assessments, competency frameworks, and leadership coaching. With a passion for helping individuals and organisations thrive. https://www.linkedin.com/in/allayne-hewson-61132231/?originalSubdomain=za As we wrap up this insightful episode of Radio Omnicor, if you found the expert panel's discussion with Allayne, Pam, and Hilton on navigating the nuances of delivering and receiving 360 feedback valuable, then please consider: Liking this episode, subscribing to Radio Omnicor to ensure you don't miss future discussions packed with valuable insights on people, performance, and the workplace.Sharing this episode with colleagues and friends who might also benefit from understanding the art of feedback.Your engagement helps us continue to bring you these important conversations. Keep the feedback flowing, and we'll keep the insights coming. Feel free to visit our website www.omnicor.co.za for more episodes Contact: Colleen colleen@omnicor.co.za

    49 min
  5. 03/25/2025

    Episode 54 - From Tradition to Transformation: Mbuso Ntuli on Leading with Heart

    Guest: Mbuso Ntuli Episode Description:  Mbuso Ntuli is an Operations Manager at a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the values instilled by his mother, aunties, and grandmother. Known for leading with humility and from behind, Mbuso embodies a modern leadership approach that prioritizes people over power. His dedication to self-awareness and personal growth is evident in how he has embraced feedback from critics and worked on understanding his own triggers. Learn more about his professional background on his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbuso-ntuli-4833a9181/.1 Key Topics Discussed: How childhood lessons from influential women in his life shaped his leadership style.The philosophy of leading from behind and challenging traditional leadership norms.The importance of self-awareness and continuous self-improvement.Personal experiences with receiving feedback from detractors and working through personal triggers. Key Takeaways: Leadership rooted in humility can be just as effective, if not more, than power-based models.Personal growth and self-awareness are critical components of impactful leadership.Mbuso’s journey highlights the value of staying grounded and being open to learning from all experiences. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast. Feel free to visit our website www.omnicor.co.za for more episodes and resources on innovation and problem solving.

    45 min
  6. 11/11/2024

    Episode 53 - Leading with Ubuntu: Vishal Haripersad’s Take on African Excellence

    Vishal Haripersad is the Managing Director of Knight Piésold, an accomplished leader with a passion for driving organizational excellence rooted in African values. With a career spanning over two decades in engineering and leadership, Vishal has been instrumental in transforming workplace cultures by emphasizing the principles of Ubuntu, authenticity, and a humanistic approach to leadership. His strategic focus includes fostering psychological safety, continuous learning, and talent retention, making him a respected voice in leadership development. You can learn more about his professional background on his LinkedIn profile. Key Topics Discussed: The concept of Ubuntu in leadership and its significance. The role of authenticity and how it influences leadership success. Building psychological safety in organizations to help people perform at their best. The importance of learning as an ongoing journey and a process. Strategies for retaining and attracting high-performing talent in today’s environment. Key Takeaways: Leadership doesn’t always need to look outside; there’s value in embracing African-rooted principles. Fostering psychological safety is crucial for employees to be their best selves. Vishal’s insights into humanistic leadership provide a roadmap for building thriving work cultures. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast. Feel free to visit our website www.omnicor.co.za for more episodes and resources on innovation and problem solving.

    56 min

About

Our podcast about the science of business! At Omnicor, we’re driven to understand as much as possible in the current organisational and people development space. Each episode will feature fascinating guests who will share tools and the latest thinking to help grow your own career or improve your team or business.