The HR Room Podcast

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in our workplaces, communication, leadership and even creativity are changing rapidly. AI can now help us write presentations, craft speeches, prepare for interviews and produce polished content in seconds. But while technology can enhance how we communicate, it cannot replace the human qualities that create genuine trust, influence and connection.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Niamh McElwain, Award-Winning Facilitator, Speaker, Executive Coach, Consultant and Business All-Star Accredited Thought Leader. They discuss what organisations and leaders risk losing if they become overly reliant on AI-generated communication, and why authenticity, courage and human connection matter more than ever.

The conversation examines the growing temptation to outsource communication and leadership to AI tools, while highlighting the uniquely human skills that remain irreplaceable. Niamh shares insights from her work helping leaders 'own their stage', discussing how trust is built, why listening is one of the most powerful leadership skills, and how authentic communication creates deeper influence than polished perfection ever can.

The episode also explores the role of courage in modern leadership, from speaking up and navigating uncertainty to having difficult conversations and adapting to rapid change. Ultimately, while AI may transform how work is done, it is our ability to connect, listen, empathise and lead with authenticity that will continue to define great leadership.

Guest:

Niamh McElwain — Award-Winning Facilitator, Speaker, Executive Coach, Consultant & Business All-Star Accredited Thought Leader

Topics include:

The rise of AI-generated communication and its impact on workplace relationships

Why trust, influence and connection remain fundamentally human skills

The trust equation and how leaders build credibility and psychological safety

Authenticity, vulnerability and the power of sharing real experiences

Why listening is one of the most undervalued leadership skills

Why courage matters more than confidence in leadership

The future of work and the human skills that will become increasingly valuable

Why curiosity, empathy, courage and listening may be the ultimate competitive advantage in the AI era

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders:

AI should enhance human capability, not replace authentic human connection.

Trust is built through credibility, reliability, integrity and genuine care for others.

The most influential leaders listen more than they speak.

Authenticity creates stronger connections than polished, performative communication.

Courage is a skill that can be developed through practice and experience.

Organisations should encourage experimentation and learning rather than fear-driven resistance to AI.

Resources Mentioned:

Own My Stage

The Courage Project

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Disrupt HR

Upcoming Webinar:
Book your spot for our upcoming webinar 'AI in the Workplace: What HR Needs to Know'. Hosted by Dave Corkery, the session features insights from Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, and Karen Howley, AI specialist and expert in organisational change.

Register here

Get in Touch:
If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, please do.

If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you'd like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast:
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please share it with colleagues or friends and leave us a review.

We love to hear your feedback, we take requests, and we're always here to support you with your HR challenges.

Immediate HR support: 056 770 1060 or info@insighthr.ie.

Mental health continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing workplaces today. While awareness around employee wellbeing has grown considerably in recent years, many organisations still struggle to translate good intentions into meaningful, practical support for employees.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we explore how organisations can move beyond surface-level wellbeing initiatives and create workplace cultures that genuinely support employee mental health. Hosts Dave Corkery and Mary Cullen (Founder and Managing Director of Insight HR) are joined by special guest Jacqui Mulligan, Project Coordinator of The Working Mind at Mental Health First Aid Ireland.

Together, they discuss the launch of The Working Mind programme in Ireland — an evidence-based framework designed to help employees, managers and organisations better understand mental health, recognise early warning signs, reduce stigma and build healthier workplace cultures.

Guests

Jacqui Mulligan — Project Coordinator, The Working Mind, Mental Health First Aid Ireland

Topics include:

Why awareness alone is not enough without practical action

The origins and purpose of The Working Mind programme

Understanding the Mental Health Continuum framework

The role of managers in supporting employee mental health

How culture, leadership and workload impact mental health outcomes

The importance of early intervention and meaningful support

Building psychologically safe workplace cultures

The business case for investing in employee wellbeing

Resources & Links

Mental Health First Aid Ireland: Mental Health First Aid Ireland

Deloitte research on workplace wellbeing ROI: Deloitte Mental Health and Employers Research

Learn more about Insight HR: Insight HR

Contact Insight HR
📧 info@insighthr.ie
📞 +353 56 7701060

🌐 Insight HR – HR Consultancy Services Ireland

What does it really mean to build a people-first culture? And how can organisations ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded into the systems, processes and leadership behaviours that shape everyday employee experiences?

In this episode of The HR Room, we explore how Heineken have developed a culture where people, performance and business success work hand-in-hand. With our special guest Debra Popplewell (People Director - Heineken Ireland), we discuss the importance of employee voice, leadership accountability, psychological safety, inclusive recruitment practices and the role transparency plays in building trust.

Guests

Debra Popplewell — People Director, Heineken Ireland

Topics Include:

What a true people-first culture looks like in practice

Why performance and employee experience should reinforce one another

The importance of employee voice and meaningful listening

Why culture is shaped through behaviours, not values posters

Creating psychological safety and building trust at work

How employee feedback can drive real organisational change

Common mistakes organisations make when measuring engagement

Leadership behaviours that sustain positive workplace cultures

Investing in people manager capability and leadership development

Preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive

Why job evaluation frameworks are becoming increasingly important

Practical lessons from Heineken’s approach to culture and employee experience

Key Takeaways

A people-first culture is not about prioritising people over performance — it is recognising that performance is delivered through people.

Employee listening only creates value when organisations act on the feedback they receive.

Culture is shaped by everyday decisions, leadership behaviours and organisational systems rather than written values alone.

Recruitment processes play a critical role in demonstrating organisational culture and attracting diverse talent.

Inclusive workplaces require organisations to continually examine and remove barriers within their systems and processes.

Transparency around pay, progression and decision-making is becoming increasingly important for employee trust.

Leaders must be willing to challenge themselves and examine how their own behaviours may be reinforcing unwanted outcomes.

Sustainable high performance comes from designing systems that help people do great work, rather than relying on individuals to succeed despite organisational obstacles.

Meaningful culture change is a long-term commitment that requires consistency, intention and continuous listening.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Insight HR's services around workplace culture, leadership development, employee engagement and organisational effectiveness.

Find out how Insight HR can support your organisation in preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive, including job evaluation frameworks and pay transparency readiness.

Contact Insight HR
📧 info@insighthr.ie
📞 +353 56 7701060

🌐 Insight HR – HR Consultancy Services Ireland

 

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Despite significant progress around gender equality in the workplace, many women still face internal and external barriers that can impact their confidence, visibility, and career progression. From self-doubt and imposter syndrome to difficulties promoting achievements and building influence, certain workplace habits can quietly hold talented professionals back from reaching their full potential.

At the same time, organisations have an important role to play in creating environments where people feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to contribute confidently. Through coaching, leadership development, psychological safety, and inclusive workplace practices, employers can help individuals overcome these barriers and thrive.

In this episode of The HR Room, we explore the hidden habits that can impact women at work and what both individuals and organisations can do to build confidence, visibility, and leadership capability. We discuss practical strategies for overcoming self-limiting behaviours, the importance of workplace culture, and why creating opportunities for women to progress remains a business-critical priority.

Hosts Dave Corkery and Mary Cullen are joined by special guest Gillian McGrath, Executive Coach and Founder of Change Grow Succeed. 

Guests

Mary Cullen — Founder & Managing Director, Insight HR

Gillian McGrath — Executive Coach & Founder, Change Grow Succeed

Topics Include:

The importance of building allies, networks, and workplace visibility

How minimising language and behaviours can undermine confidence

Rumination, overthinking, and analysis paralysis in the workplace

What imposter syndrome really is 

The six common symptoms of imposter syndrome

The relationship between perfectionism, procrastination, and self-doubt

Psychological safety and creating environments where people feel comfortable speaking up

Practical ways to build confidence and develop everyday courage

The impact of flexible working, transparency, and inclusive workplace practices

How pay transparency and gender equity initiatives can support women's progression

Key Takeaways:

Many of the challenges associated with imposter syndrome are more common than people realise.

Building strong workplace relationships and allies is critical for career progression.

Organisations that invest in targeted development programmes often see greater representation of women in leadership positions.

Psychological safety plays a vital role in helping people learn, contribute, and progress.

Creating equitable systems and transparent pathways to advancement benefits everyone in the workplace.

Resources & Links:

Change Grow Succeed

Insight HR

Catch up on Insight HR's webinar: Preparing for Pay Transparency – Why Job Evaluation Matters: Insight HR Events & Webinars

Get in Touch 
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do.

If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please share it with colleagues or friends and leave us a review.

We love to hear your feedback, we take requests, and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

Immediate HR support 👉 056 770 1060 or info@insighthr.ie

Back in 2006, The Devil Wears Prada introduced audiences to one of cinema’s most iconic workplace bosses: Miranda Priestly. At the time, her leadership style -demanding, authoritarian and often toxic - felt strangely familiar to many people working in corporate environments.

But nearly twenty years later, workplace culture has changed dramatically, and we see that play out in cinemas at the moment with the movie's sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, hosts Dave Corkery and Mary Cullen are joined by Insight HR consultants Aoife Dolan and Joe Redmond, to explore how The Devil Wears Prada and its sequel reflect the evolution of leadership, workplace expectations and employee rights over the past two decades.

Guests
• Aoife Dolan — HR Consultant, Insight HR
• Joe Redmond — HR Consultant, Insight HR

Topics include:
• How The Devil Wears Prada reflects workplace culture in 2006 versus today
• Miranda Priestly’s leadership style and the evolution of toxic workplace behaviours
• Generational shifts in expectations around work-life balance, wellbeing and psychological safety
• The impact of social media, Glassdoor and public WRC decisions on employer reputation
• Why employees today are more willing to raise grievances and speak up about toxic behaviour
• The relationship between pressure, burnout and workplace conflict
• The importance of psychological safety in creating healthy, high-performing workplaces

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders
• Toxic leadership styles may still exist — but employees are increasingly willing to challenge them.
• Psychological safety and dignity at work are now essential expectations, not optional extras.
• Generational shifts are changing attitudes toward work-life balance, wellbeing and leadership.
• Organisations that ignore toxic behaviour risk reputational damage, retention issues and increased complaints.
• High performance should never excuse bullying, harassment or inappropriate conduct.
• Employer reputation is more exposed than ever through social media, Glassdoor reviews and public WRC cases.
• HR teams play a critical role in coaching leaders, addressing poor behaviour and shaping healthy cultures.

Referenced Episodes and Resources
• Episode 263 — Generational Differences in the Workplace with Dr Mary Collins
• Episode 261 — Neurodiversity & Psychological Safety in the Workplace
• Workplace Bullying Webinar featuring Adrian Twomey
• Insight HR Workplace Investigations

Get in Touch 
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do.

If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please share it with colleagues or friends and leave us a review.

We love to hear your feedback, we take requests, and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

Immediate HR support 👉 056 770 1060 or info@insighthr.ie