#26 - Leading with Purpose: How to Attract, Engage, and Retain Talent in Business with Trudy MacDonald

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Transforming workplace culture isn't about quick fixes but fundamentally understanding what drives human performance. Trudy MacDonald, award-winning global keynote speaker and founder of Talent Code HR, brings over two decades of organisational psychology expertise to this illuminating conversation on building high-performance teams, particularly in regional areas.
Trudy unveils the psychology behind what motivates young professionals in today's challenging economic landscape. She dismantles the false dichotomy between supportive leadership and accountability, revealing how the most engaging workplaces seamlessly blend both. "If we have high levels of empathy and support without accountability, we risk creating entitlement," she explains, offering instead a framework that balances psychological safety with clear expectations.
For leaders struggling with talent retention, Trudy provides refreshingly practical guidance. Beyond competitive compensation (which "takes money off the table"), she emphasises creating workplaces where people feel genuinely valued while having opportunities to grow. Her innovative concept of "WOMBAT hunting"—identifying Waste of Money, Bandwidth, and Time—offers a transformative approach to productivity that both individuals and organisations can immediately implement.
Drawing fascinating parallels between her competitive rowing career and business leadership, Trudy demonstrates how high-performance habits create the "recipe for success" in any domain. Her insights on upward mentoring, building resilience through change, and connecting personal values to the company mission provide a comprehensive blueprint for creating workplaces where everyone thrives.
Whether leading a business, managing a diverse team, or seeking to elevate your professional impact, this conversation delivers actionable strategies that blend cutting-edge psychology with real-world experience. Connect with Trudy at talentcodeHR.com.au to continue your leadership journey.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Trudy MacDonald (00:00:00)

2. Mindset: Foundation of Performance (00:02:54)

3. Engaging and Retaining Young Talent (00:07:17)

4. Building Accountability and Productivity (00:16:51)

5. Supporting Resilience Through Change (00:25:10)

6. Connecting Values and Creating Purpose (00:30:45)

7. Creating a Learning Culture (00:38:13)

8. Sport Principles in Leadership (00:42:39)