What separates genuinely innovative organisations from those that simply talk about innovation? In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Nicola Taylor, co-founder of Tax Traders and Taxi, to explore organisational culture, innovation, leadership, and the mindset required to build businesses that continually evolve. Drawing on her experience building successful fintech companies, Nicola shares practical insights into creating cultures where experimentation, curiosity, belonging, and psychological safety drive better decisions and stronger business outcomes. From productive failure and behavioural values to leadership, recruitment, AI, feedback, and continuous improvement, this conversation challenges many of the common assumptions about innovation. Nicola explains why innovation is built through disciplined experimentation rather than random ideas, why leaders should ask better questions instead of having all the answers, and how organisations can intentionally design cultures where people feel empowered to contribute their best thinking. The discussion also explores how belonging starts long before an employee's first day, why feedback should be celebrated rather than feared, and how removing ego from decision-making allows organisations to learn faster and perform better. What You'll Learn Why innovation requires discipline as much as creativity The difference between productive and unproductive failure How psychological safety differs from comfort Why belonging begins before an employee's first day How behavioural values create stronger organisational cultures The role curiosity plays in leadership and innovation Why leaders should ask better questions instead of providing all the answers How experimentation drives continuous improvement The importance of feedback, reflection, and lifelong learning How AI and technology can support, rather than replace, human capability Key Takeaways Innovation is built through disciplined experimentation, not random ideas. Psychological safety allows people to contribute without fear, even when conversations are uncomfortable. Great cultures are intentionally designed through everyday behaviours. Strong leaders create environments where others can succeed. Curiosity and feedback accelerate learning and better decision-making. Behavioural values are more powerful than aspirational statements. Belonging strengthens engagement, confidence, and performance. Technology will continue to evolve, but human judgement, empathy, and creativity remain essential. About Nicola Taylor Nicola Taylor is the co-founder of Tax Traders and Taxi, two award-winning New Zealand fintech businesses transforming the way organisations manage tax and business funding. Passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and building exceptional workplace cultures, Nicola is recognised for challenging conventional thinking around leadership, organisational design, and business growth. She is a strong advocate for creating environments where curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning enable both people and organisations to thrive. Why This Episode Matters As organisations navigate rapid technological change, AI, and evolving workforce expectations, creating innovative cultures has become a critical leadership capability. This episode provides practical insights into how leaders can intentionally design workplaces where people feel safe to experiment, challenge ideas, learn from failure, and contribute their best thinking. Whether you're an HR professional, business owner, executive leader, or entrepreneur, Nicola offers practical ideas for building cultures that are innovative, resilient, and ready for the future. Resources & Links Tax Traders: https://www.taxtraders.co.nz Taxi: https://www.gotaxi.co.nz/ Connect with Nicola Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-raffills-taylor/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
