Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

Have you ever considered what it takes to design public services that keep pace with technology while staying genuinely human-centred?In this episode of Work with Purpose, IP Australia Deputy Director-General Margaret Tregurtha joins Wendy Cohen, Deputy CEO of IPAA, to explore how modern public institutions can foster innovation, build trust and deliver services that meet evolving community needs.Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how intellectual property underpins Australia’s economic and cultural wellbeing, why recognising and protecting First Nations knowledge is essential to a fair and modern IP system, and what responsible adoption of emerging technologies like AI really looks like in practice.The conversation also highlights the mindsets and capabilities needed to drive meaningful change inside government, from embedding transparency and inclusion to creating cultures that support curiosity and continuous improvement. It offers a practical and grounded look at what it takes to build public services that are trusted, adaptive and ready for the future.Key TakeawaysHuman centred design is essential for modern public services.True transformation happens when services are built around people's real needs and expectations, not just new technology.Protecting First Nations knowledge strengthens Australia's innovation system.Recognising and safeguarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property is vital for fairness, cultural resilience and a modern IP framework.Responsible innovation depends on clear governance and a culture of curiosity.Emerging technologies like AI deliver public value only when supported by strong risk frameworks, purposeful leadership and teams empowered to learn and experiment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special International Men’s Day episode, Work with Purpose host David Pembroke, Founder and CEO of contentgroup, brings together two senior public sector leaders to explore what male role modelling looks like in practice, not in theory.Deputy Secretary David Mackay (Regions, Cities and Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts) and Michael Pohl (National Manager for Smart Centres across Regional NSW and the ACT at Services Australia) share candid reflections on leadership, identity, caregiving, cultural background, and the real pressures of balancing demanding roles with busy family lives.Listeners will hear lived experience, practical behaviours, First Nations perspectives, and personal stories that illuminate the difference male leaders can make in shaping respectful, healthy public sector workplaces.Key TipsPeople remember how leaders make them feel: small moments of validation or dismissal shape workplace culture more powerfully than formal feedbackLead with questions, not answers: curiosity and humility help unlock team insight, build trust, and create stronger decisionsNormalise shared caregiving: taking parental leave and protecting family time strengthens leaders and helps shift outdated gender normsBe honest about the chaos: vulnerability creates psychological safety and helps teams feel understood and supported Show Notes Coro Canberra (David Mackay’s choir)Hartley Cycle Challenge (Michael’s charity ride) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special International Men’s Day episode, Work with Purpose host David Pembroke, Founder and CEO of contentgroup, brings together two senior public sector leaders to explore what male role modelling looks like in practice, not in theory.Deputy Secretary David Mackay (Regions, Cities and Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts) and Michael Pohl (National Manager for Smart Centres across Regional NSW and the ACT at Services Australia) share candid reflections on leadership, identity, caregiving, cultural background, and the real pressures of balancing demanding roles with busy family lives.Listeners will hear lived experience, practical behaviours, First Nations perspectives, and personal stories that illuminate the difference male leaders can make in shaping respectful, healthy public sector workplaces.Key TipsPeople remember how leaders make them feel: small moments of validation or dismissal shape workplace culture more powerfully than formal feedbackLead with questions, not answers: curiosity and humility help unlock team insight, build trust, and create stronger decisionsNormalise shared caregiving: taking parental leave and protecting family time strengthens leaders and helps shift outdated gender normsBe honest about the chaos: vulnerability creates psychological safety and helps teams feel understood and supported Show Notes Coro Canberra (David Mackay’s choir)Hartley Cycle Challenge (Michael’s charity ride) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered how political leaders decide which issues make it to the top of the agenda?In this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke speaks with Professor Liam Smith and Dr Connor Wynn from Behaviour Works Australia to explore how politicians make high-stakes decisions under pressure and what the public sector can learn from the process.Drawing on extensive behavioural research, Smith and Wynn reveal how political leaders rely on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, to navigate complexity, limited time and competing demands. They explain how community sentiment, emotion, political capital and timing influence which policies rise to prominence, and how these forces shape outcomes across government.Listeners will learn how understanding the psychology of decision making can help them engage more effectively with ministers, anticipate shifting priorities and design advice that resonates. This is an engaging conversation about influence, timing and the human side of leadership in government, offering practical guidance for anyone working in or alongside the Australian Public Service.Key tips:Use the “wait and see” principle. Recognise when an issue is gaining traction and be ready to act when political and community momentum align.Seize the moment. Identify windows of opportunity created by events, media attention or public pressure, and present advice when decision makers are most receptive.Think like your audience. Understand how leaders and communities perceive an issue, and frame advice using real-world perspectives and public sentiment, not just technical evidence.Show notes:Behaviour Works Australia – behavioural science research and case studies: behaviourworksaustralia.orgHow the political elite make decisions - Wynn - 2025 - Australian Journal of Public Administration - Wiley Online Library Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to lead people well in a world of constant change? In this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke sits down with Jacqui Curtis, Chief Operating Officer at the ATO and Head of the APS HR Profession, and Eliza Kirkby, Managing Director at Hays, to explore how human resources in the Australian Public Service is being redefined.From the power of trust and genuine connection to the growing impact of AI and technology, Curtis and Kirkby share honest insights about what it means to be a people-focused leader today. They reveal how curiosity, courage and empathy can build stronger teams, shape culture and help leaders navigate complexity with confidence.Listeners will also hear how HR professionals are helping the APS evolve by embracing innovation, driving inclusion and belonging, and preparing for the workforce of the future. It’s an inspiring conversation about keeping people at the heart of transformation and leading with purpose when it matters most.Key tipsLead with curiosity and connection. Build trust through open communication, empathy and genuine listening. Be straightforward, approachable and real.Use technology wisely. Let AI and digital tools enhance people’s work rather than replace it.Create a sense of belonging. Inclusion and psychological safety are essential for high-performing teams.Stay open and ask for help. Strong leaders grow through curiosity and collaboration, not by having all the answers.Show notes Successful Public Governance | Utrecht UniversitySpeech to the American Society for Public Administration | Crawford School of Public PolicyPathways to Positive Public Administration An International Perspective | BookHas the time arrived for Positive Public Administration | The Mandarin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.