INTHEBLACK

We all want to be happy at work. Or at least happier, don't we? Across this conversation, listeners will learn about a foundational concept: Success often follows happiness rather than causes it. Drawing on research in positive psychology, the episode outlines how mindset, habits and self-awareness account for a large share of overall wellbeing, far outweighing external circumstances. It also explains how small, consistent practices such as learning to be grateful can recalibrate the brain's natural bias toward the negative. Listeners will learn: The relationship between happiness and leadership Positive psychology as a field of research Research data on happiness and how it's a 'skill' The key components of developing workplace happiness and contentment How to recognise 'green-light moments' Ways to shift out of work-related ruts, regain perspective and avoid catastrophising This Career Hacks episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for that elusive happiness factor at work. Host: Jacqueline Blondell, Editor, CPA Australia Guest: Declan Edwards, happiness researcher, speaker, coach and consultant. He is founder of the BU Happiness College, which has a vision of making the skills and science of happiness more accessible to individuals, organisations and the world. For more information, head to the BU Happiness College on LinkedIn. Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Click subscribe on the channel to stay updated on the latest episodes. CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

We've all probably had a manager or leader who struggles to delegate. Sound familiar? This Career Hacks episode explores the art of delegation. It's an essential skill, particularly for new managers – and one that's often hard to master. Getting the right balance between a hands-off approach and micro-management is key, and an empathetic approach can really help, say the experts. Listen in to learn the behavioural traps that keep managers doing the work themselves, why burnout grows when clarity is missing, and how empathy offers insight into workload, motivation and fairness. Also, learn how to check in without hovering, why communication gaps create rework and the value of curiosity when assessing team capacity. You'll learn: • Why not delegating limits leadership impact • How technical experts can shift from doing the work to guiding it • The emotional and psychological drivers that shape team performance • How empathy and curiosity help leaders understand real workload and risk This Career Hacks episode is a must-listen for professionals seeking expert advice on how to best delegate. Host: Jacqueline Blondell, Editor, CPA Australia Guest: Daniel Murray, international keynote speaker and author of The Empathy Gap, a handbook for business leaders who want to form stronger connections with the people they lead. For more on this episode's guest Daniel Murray, head to his consultancy's website. Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. And don't forget to click subscribe on the channel. CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Are you a leader who dreads hard conversations? The uncomfortable feedback. The underperformance chat. The redundancy announcement. It can be daunting. But difficult conversations are part of every leader's journey, and mastering them takes skill, EQ and practice. In this expert-led episode, we bring you tools to help. Key learnings: • Why fear for even the most capable leaders drives avoidance – and how to break the cycle • How to prepare for tough talks without over-rehearsing • Practical ways to lead redundancy or performance discussions • Turning emotional moments into opportunities for growth • Understanding emotional triggers to finding constructive outcomes Learn how you can use emotional intelligence (EQ) in five of the most difficult conversations you may have at work. You'll discover evidence-based techniques to prepare for and conduct challenging discussions that build trust instead of tension. This episode shows the power of EQ, and why it is often the difference maker in these tough scenarios. The Career Hacks series is back and episode two is a must-listen for professionals seeking expert advice and guidance in these demanding situations. Host: Jacqueline Blondell, Editor, CPA Australia Guest: Amy Jacobson, emotional intelligence expert, speaker and author. Her latest book is titled The Emotional Intelligence Advantage. For more on Amy Jacobson, head to her website, which includes a section on her books. Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. And don't forget to click subscribe on the channel. CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Planning your next career move? If so, you're going to need a resume that stands out from the rest. In this episode, you'll learn what hiring managers look for and how to present your experience with clarity and confidence. With an expert guest offering tips and advice, discover how CV formats are changing, what recruiters see as red flags and the role keywords play in passing those annoying, AI-driven applicant tracking systems. Key insights include: The resume length rule that really matters What to highlight at junior and senior career stages Skills, systems and certifications hiring managers notice Practical ways to tailor a CV to the job ad How to get around AI-powered ATS filtering – how it works and which keywords to prioritise Common mistakes that immediately undermine credibility If you're aiming for your next role in accounting or finance, these Career Hacks insights could be the difference between being filtered out and being seen by the right people. The Career Hacks series is back and is a must-listen this summer for anyone preparing their next career move. Host: Jacqueline Blondell, Editor, CPA Australia Guest: Jasmine Ee, a senior consultant at staffing and recruitment company Hays For more on what Hays does, head to the company's website. Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. And don't forget to click subscribe on the channel. CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

How's your mental energy? It's an important question to ask yourself. Here's why. As the working year draws to a close, your mental energy may be a little low. This can have implications not only for you, but your work productivity. In this episode, we explore how finance professionals can protect their mental bandwidth, sustain their energy and lead with purpose without burning out. You'll learn practical ways to recharge your "mental battery" and create balance in high-pressure workplaces. You'll gain insights such as: How to measure and manage your mental energy like any other performance metric Daily habits to reset focus and reduce stress in busy work environments The link between wellbeing and productivity in finance roles Why emotionally intelligent leadership creates stronger, more resilient teams Listen now for smart advice. Host: Adrienne Biscontin, External Affairs Adviser, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia Guest: Tim Jack Adams, author and founder and CEO of GreenX7 For more on today's special guest Tim Jack Adams, head to his website. And learn more about GreenX7 and its 'battery check' mental health feature at the website. Loving this podcast? You can listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]