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We examine the shifting landscape of workplace leadership, focusing on corporate paternalism, legal challenges, and psychosocial risks with David Dilger. We discuss the growing expectations on organisations to provide psychological safety, the impact of evolving workplace regulations, and the role of transparent decision-making in fostering trust and resilience.
The conversation covers a range of topics, including the rise of workplace disputes, the future of DEI initiatives, the push for in-office mandates post-COVID, and strategies for conflict-free communication.
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Summary
Zoë shares personal updates:
Corporate Paternalism Debate – Exploring whether workplaces are becoming too responsible for employee well-being.
Australian Alpine Walking Track Preparation – Packing and planning for a long-distance trek.
Upcoming Works – Progress on Olympus Dawn and Power Games, including insights into the Kickstarter campaign.
The Role of AI in Leadership – Reflections on how AI tools can enhance or hinder decision-making.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:
How can organisations foster transparent decision-making to reduce workplace disputes?
What role should leaders play in managing psychosocial hazards at work?
How do we balance empathy and accountability when handling conflict?
Is the push for return-to-office mandates truly about productivity, or is it a visibility issue?
What is the future of DEI initiatives, and will they face backlash in Australia?
David Dilger reflects on:
Legal Challenges in the Workplace – The rise in disputes, the growing focus on psychosocial hazards, and the increasing complexity of mental health-related claims.
Corporate Paternalism & Workplace Expectations – The evolving role of leadership in psychological safety, the balance between support and over-regulation, and the future of hybrid work.
Managing Conflict & Decision-Making – Why conflict-free communication is a myth, the power of radical candour, and strategies for de-escalating disputes before they become legal battles.
Future of Leadership & Workplace Trends – The pushback against DEI, the impact of stress on decision-making, and the opportunities and risks of AI in HR and leadership.
Key Quotes
"When decision-making is transparent, assumptions die in a dirty ditch." – Zoë Routh
"We don’t have a productivity problem; we have a visibility problem." – David Dilger
"Psychosocial hazards are not a legal tick box – they directly impact performance and retention." – David Dilger
"Avoiding conflict doesn’t make it disappear – it just turns into something worse." – Zoë Routh
Questions Explored
Have we gone too far with corporate paternalism?
How has workplace conflict evolved, and what can leaders do to manage it effectively?
What are psychosocial hazards, and why should leaders take them seriously?
Is there a growing backlash against DEI initiatives?
How do we balance workplace flexibility with organisational needs?
Can we achieve conflict-free communication in leadership?
Take Action
Reflect on your leadership approach – Are you fostering transparency in decision-making?
Assess psychosocial risks in your workplace – Understand the hazards that impact mental well-being.
Re-evaluate workplace flexibility – Consider whether in-office mandates are about productivity or visibility.
Enhance communication skills – Be direct on the issue, but empathetic towards the person.
Tip of the Week
Check out the Workplace Conflict Resolution Guide – available for subscribers only.
Key Moments
00:00 – Introduction: Have we gone too far with corporate paternalism?
00:20 – Robots in Jersey City: The Future of Food Delivery
00:58 – Preparing for the Australian Alpine Walking Track
01:39 – Writing Olympus Dawn and Power Games
02:53 – Transparent Decision-Making in the Workplace
03:43 – Interview with HR Legal Specialist David Dilger
05:56 – The Rise of Workplace Mental Health Issues
17:43 – The Debate on DEI and Remote Work
26:43 – Conflict-Free Communication: Myth or Reality?
31:46 – Fast Three with David Dilger
37:49 – Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
About David Dilger
David is the Co-Founder of Edge Legal, an employment and safety legal firm empowering employee-employer relations across organizations, by challenging traditional rigid HR tools and helping build respectful workplaces free of legal fears.
Backed by a deep understanding of psychosocial safety and effective communication, David has a strong track record in people management. He has worked extensively with local authorities in Tasmania, as well as leading Australian companies like Cotton on Group, Costa Group, Grant Broadcasters, and Tassal, guiding them through complex HR issues.
What sets David apart is his ability to blend legal know-how with practical experience from his time as a senior executive. As a seasoned HR-legal authority, David has donned many hats — as a professor, to a workplace facilitator, to a presenter at HR conferences, and writer.
Topics:
How self-awareness is key to effective leadership and people management.
Practical tips on how managers and business leaders can make employees feel psychologically safe, reducing stress and improving performance.
Actionable advice for managers to engage in clear, respectful, and conflict-free communication with employees.
Balancing legal compliance with a supportive workplace that prioritizes employee well-being and reduces legal fears.
More about David:
Held roles with the Government of Tasmania, and as the Chief Workplace Relations Officer at the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Sitting member of TTAC (Tasmanian Training Agreements Committee) since 2006.
Former CEO at Banjo’s Corporation; under him, the organization was the National Finalist and Joint State Winner at the AHRI People Management Awards.
Ex Partner, specializing in Employment & Safety, at Page Seager Lawyers for 7+ years.
Taught workplace law and human resources at the University of Tasmania.
To get a sense of David, here's a podcast appearance he made on Grow A Small Business, talking about the importance of adopting a people-first approach to drive business success.
Related episodes on Future Trends
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331 Resilience, independence and learning from history - a leadership perspective on war
212 Leadership frameworks for resilience with Jennifer Eggers
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About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.