The SME Stream

How can leaders embrace AI and rapid change without losing the human connection that drives great workplaces?
In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Margo Thomas, Chief People Officer at Sime Motors, to explore leadership, trust, organisational culture, and the evolving role of HR in today's workplace.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience across education, banking, technology, manufacturing, distribution, and automotive, Margo shares practical insights into leading with authenticity, building high-trust teams, and helping organisations balance commercial performance with genuine care for people.
From leadership vulnerability and relationship building to AI, commercial acumen, career development, and the future of HR, this conversation explores why people professionals need to spend less time behind their desks and more time understanding the people and businesses they support.
The discussion also explores the importance of intuition in leadership, coaching future HR professionals, navigating difficult conversations with empathy, and why curiosity, courage, and connection remain some of the most valuable capabilities for the future of work.
What You'll Learn
Why human connection remains HR's greatest strength

How AI should enhance, not replace, leadership

The importance of building high-trust relationships

Why HR professionals need to spend time in the business, not just behind a screen

How commercial understanding strengthens People & Culture leadership

The value of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership

Why curiosity and saying "yes" create career opportunities

How to coach leaders through difficult conversations with empathy

The importance of balancing policy with sound judgement

Practical advice for building a successful HR career

Key Takeaways
Great leadership starts with trust, authenticity, and genuine relationships.

Technology should strengthen human connection, not replace it.

HR creates the greatest value when it understands the commercial realities of the business.

Strong leaders balance empathy with sound judgement.

Curiosity and continuous learning accelerate career growth.

High-performing HR professionals spend time where the work happens.

Leadership becomes stronger when people feel trusted, supported, and challenged.

Organisations succeed when people and business outcomes are considered together.

About Margo Thomas
Margo Thomas is Chief People Officer at Sime Motors, where she leads the organisation's People & Culture strategy across leadership, organisational capability, employee experience, and workforce development.
With more than 20 years of HR leadership experience spanning education, banking, telecommunications, technology, manufacturing, distribution, and automotive, Margo is passionate about building high-performing teams, developing leaders, and creating workplaces where people feel connected, trusted, and empowered to succeed.
Why This Episode Matters
As organisations embrace AI, flexible work, and increasing workplace complexity, leaders face the challenge of maintaining meaningful human connection while delivering commercial outcomes.
This episode provides practical insights into how People & Culture leaders can build trust, strengthen leadership capability, and create workplaces where technology supports, rather than replaces, authentic relationships. Whether you're an HR professional, executive, business owner, or people leader, Margo offers practical advice for leading with empathy, commercial awareness, and purpose.
Resources & Links
Sime Motors: https://www.simemotors.co.nz/
Connect with Margo Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margo-thomas-567ba04/
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New Zealand investment in women-only founding teams has more than tripled in a year, but a huge gender gap remains.
Gender Investment Gap University of Auckland Business School data shows these teams are still receiving less than six cents in every investment dollar, while male teams get 70 cents.
And while there's been more investment in women-led businesses, it starts falling away at later funding stages.
So, why does it all matter?
Today on The Front Page, founder of tech startup Dispute Buddy, Jenny Rudd is with us to discuss.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee
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The PM ponders Paris and whether we should be getting out of the Accord. We also discuss Labour’s ETS U-turn on pricing agricultural emissions, the Greens’ supermarket plans, and whether the Opportunity Party bubble has burst.
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ASB's anticipating the upswing in the housing market will be steadier than in the past.
Its latest housing outlook predicts a more measured, household income-led recovery, rather than previous borrowing-led booms.
Chief economist Mark Smith expects national house prices to remain around 15% below the peaks of late 2021, which are unlikely to return until late 2029.
He told Mike Hosking things got so hot because interest rates were at record lows, population growth was very strong, and buyers didn't have much choice, and those things have now flipped.
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The Government is looking to crack down on ACC-based fraud, but questions have been raised over the details of this move.
ACC Minister Scott Simpson recently promoted that number of fraud investigations launched by ACC increased '12-fold' from two in the 2023 calendar year to 24 in 2025.
In the eight months to the end of August this year, it launched 38 investigations.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained that the ACC sees millions of claims a year, and there's been a decrease in interventions in claims.
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