Can We Have a Word?

Our guest today is Kristina Middleton, Group Head of Health and Wellbeing at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and an organisational psychology researcher. Kristina joins us for a conversation with host Tobba Vigfusdottir, exploring what it really means to create workplaces where people feel valued and cared for, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare. With experience leading wellbeing initiatives for a workforce of 17,000, Kristina brings both research-driven insights and practical strategies that move beyond theory and into everyday experience. In this episode, we delve into flexible working, fairness, compassion fatigue, and the realities of supporting mental health in organisations facing constant demand and resource challenges. We discuss how open dialogue, supportive structures, and listening can build trust and make wellbeing accessible, even when time and resources are stretched. You’ll hear Kristina’s grounded perspectives from both her academic work and her day-to-day role, offering ideas relevant for HR managers and people leaders across sectors. They discuss: Kristina's dual path as a wellbeing practitioner and researcher, and how action-oriented research informs real-world solutions The importance of fairness and organisational justice in flexible working arrangements, and practical tips for managers to support their teams How pressure, overwork, and limited resources impact staff wellbeing in healthcare, and why a “back-to-basics” approach to wellbeing is essential The difference between surface-level wellbeing gestures and meaningful, ongoing support crafted by listening to staff needs Compassion fatigue and burnout in caring professions, and ways to proactively address and educate around these common challenges How open team discussions and continuous feedback can help tailor wellbeing initiatives to diverse roles and contexts The crucial role of internal communication and recognition in building pride, connection, and resilience among employees Kristina's personal wellbeing habits, including fostering wellbeing through community and her own interests Whether you're an HR professional, wellbeing lead, or people manager, this episode offers practical advice and fresh thinking for building healthier cultures, especially when the work is tough and resources are stretched. For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast. About Kara Connect Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better. Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it. Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome back to Can We Have a Word?, the Kara Connect podcast. Our guest today is Nic Elliott, employment lawyer and partner at Actons Solicitors. Nic brings a unique perspective to workplace culture and well-being, combining his expertise in employment law with insights from his experiences as a youth international hockey player and host of the HRD Talks podcast. We’re joined by Tobba Vigfusdottir, who leads the conversation and explores what is really changing in legal workplaces and the broader HR landscape. In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of HR professionals, the impact of legal changes on workplace culture, and what leaders need to pay attention to in terms of employee well-being and inclusion. We also examine how organizations can proactively manage issues like neurodiversity and menopause, and why manager capability matters more than ever. You’ll hear Nic’s real-world views on current employment law changes in the UK, challenges faced by HR teams, and practical steps organizations can take to build healthier, more sustainable workplaces. We discuss: Nic’s personal journey from psychology graduate to employment law specialist Key changes in UK employment law, including day-one unfair dismissal rights and their impact on hiring and workplace uncertainty The increasing responsibilities and pressures on HR professionals, and how organizations can support them Trends in legal disputes related to neurodiversity and menopause, and what proactive employers are doing to reduce risk  The importance of not just “checking the box” with policies, but living values through culture and manager behaviours  How flexible working and hybrid models are shifting workplace culture, especially post-pandemic The expectations of Gen Z talent and what consultancies and law firms must do to retain them  Lessons from elite sport: how performance, resilience, and self-care translate to success in high-pressure professions  Why manager training and upskilling is essential for supporting employee well-being and navigating change Practical ideas about individual well-being and balance from Nic’s own career and personal life Whether you’re a people leader or HR professional, this episode offers grounded perspectives and practical ideas to help you adapt and lead in today’s complex workforce. For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast. About Kara Connect Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better. Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it. Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Our guest today is Kirsty Baggs-Morgan, an international HR leader, executive coach, and author of The HR Confidence Playbook. With over 25 years of experience leading HR teams in financial services, technology, and private equity across the US, Europe, and Asia, Kirsty brings practical insights into the confidence challenges faced by HR professionals and business leaders alike. In this conversation with host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir, we explore why confidence remains a critical issue in HR, how it shows up in daily work, and what leaders can do to help themselves and their teams build lasting credibility. Kirsty shares lessons from her own journey, discusses her 6 R's confidence framework, and breaks down actionable approaches for navigating difficult workplace dynamics. We discuss: The real reasons why HR leaders and managers struggle with confidence, including fear of failure, rejection, and being judged Common misconceptions about what confidence looks like in the workplace How imposter syndrome relates to leadership development and why it shows up for both men and women Navigating difficult personalities and the impact this has on organizational culture and team effectiveness Setting healthy boundaries with challenging colleagues, even at the executive level The role of personal values and authenticity in rebuilding and sustaining confidence Practical first steps for senior HR leaders who want to build more confidence at work Applying the 6 R's Framework to address challenges beyond HR, for managers and individual contributors alike Ideas for integrating wellbeing strategies into organization-wide initiatives, and overcoming executive resistance How leaders can recognize when an environment is affecting their wellbeing - and what it takes to make a change Kirsty also shares her personal routines for maintaining wellbeing and confidence outside of work, offering inspiration for anyone looking to recharge and show up at their best. For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast. About Kara Connect Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better. Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it. Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Our guest today is Andrew Stephenson, Group HR Director at Equiniti and a leader with deep expertise in developing customer-centric, tech-enabled people strategies across multi-sector organizations. This conversation explores how Andrew and his team have transformed HR by leveraging digital tools and AI, while keeping workplace wellbeing front and centre. Andrew shares his unconventional journey into HR, his foundational belief in making work better for people, and how Equiniti’s approach has dramatically improved engagement, retention, and wellbeing. Together with host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir, they explore practical examples of how technology can free up HR teams for more strategic work, as well as the real-world challenges and opportunities presented by change, remote work, and increasing commercial pressure. Episode Highlights: Why being “in the right place at the right time,” personal motivation, and a passion for improvement shaped his career. How Equiniti aligns people strategy with overall business strategy by digitizing HR processes, making them faster and more efficient. What HR chatbots can handle for managers, and how freeing up HR from “menial” work leads to meaningful impact. How Equiniti uses predictive attrition models to anticipate turnover and streamline recruitment planning. The benefits of real-time, high-response pulse surveys and AI-generated action plans for managers. How the company combines questions on culture, values, DEI, wellbeing, and transformation in a single, adaptive survey platform. From meeting structure changes to walking challenges, Andrew shares how simple tweaks and larger programs encourage both mental and physical health. Tips on leveraging available data (even in small companies) to link wellbeing programs to real business outcomes like productivity and cost savings. Why responding to feedback - whether actioned or not - builds trust, ownership, and repeat engagement. How HR leaders can equip knowledge workers for new ways of working, including AI augmentation, skill-building, and pipeline management. Andrew’s transparent approach to mental health, taking breaks, and leading by example in sharing his own wellbeing story. If you’re looking for grounded, actionable ideas on blending technology, people, and wellbeing to build high-performing organizations, this episode is full of practical takeaways. About Kara Connect Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better. Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it. Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this conversation, Sharon O’Connor, management consultant and workplace wellbeing specialist at Warn, joins Tobba Vigfúsdóttir for a nuanced discussion about the evolving nature of organisational culture and employee wellbeing. Sharon shares her experience guiding organisations through change, emphasising curiosity, data-led approaches, and cultural authenticity as the foundation for lasting impact on wellbeing and performance. The episode covers both practical and philosophical perspectives for HR managers and leaders seeking to cultivate supportive workplace environments. Discussion highlights: Defining a “real” workplace culture and its impact on wellbeing and performance (01:36) The value of making culture the organisation's North Star during turbulent times (02:23) How leadership understanding and buy-in set the stage for effective wellbeing initiatives (07:07) Practical starting points for HR managers without consultant support; importance of data and structured reporting (07:47) The challenge and importance of clarifying company values across global teams and cultures (10:24) Collaborative strategies for ensuring cultural relevancy and flexibility in people programs worldwide (11:30) How to address cultural or value misalignments within organisations (12:30) The common barriers to uptake of workplace wellbeing programs - visibility, comfort, and cultural acceptance (14:35) Building sustainable wellbeing strategies: integrating ongoing support, programs, and cross-functional collaboration (15:56) Internal marketing and the need for consistent communication to embed wellbeing initiatives (17:43) Measuring wellbeing using existing HR data, employee engagement surveys, and behavioural analysis (19:02) The role of language and new cultural terms in normalising workplace stress and communication (21:39) Sharon’s research with Novartis: the importance of storytelling and destigmatisation in mental health support uptake (25:02) Key findings: relatability reduces stigma and increases program engagement, outweighing concerns about trust and anonymity (28:54) Sharon’s personal wellbeing “toolbox” and reflections on the value of hobbies and free time (31:42) Final advice: approaching workplace challenges with objectivity, curiosity, and a willingness to start (34:04) For listeners interested in workplace wellbeing and organizational culture, this episode offers hands-on advice and thought-provoking perspectives. About Kara Connect Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better. Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it. Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.