Lucy Wilson, Chief People Officer at Gumtree Australia, takes us on a fascinating journey through her nearly two-decade career in HR and people leadership across diverse industries. With remarkable candor, she shares the challenges and triumphs of guiding Gumtree through a monumental transformation – transitioning from global ownership to becoming a locally-owned ASX-listed business while uniting three distinct Australian brands under one cohesive cultural umbrella.

Lucy unpacks the delicate art of rebuilding company culture after significant organizational change, revealing how her team fostered excitement and ownership during uncertainty. "We had to help people see that we actually get to own this now," she explains, describing how positioning change as an opportunity rather than a threat created momentum for positive transformation.

The conversation explores the evolving expectations of today's workforce, particularly Gen Z employees seeking purpose-driven work. Lucy shares Gumtree's innovative partnership with food waste prevention app Saveful, demonstrating how connecting corporate initiatives to meaningful social impact resonates with younger employees while aligning perfectly with Gumtree's marketplace ethos of sustainability and reuse.

Perhaps most valuable is Lucy's practical perspective on artificial intelligence in HR practice. Rather than fearing technology, she advocates for strategic adoption that frees HR professionals from administrative burdens to focus on what truly matters – meaningful human connections. Her insights on where AI excels (documentation, compliance) versus where human touch remains essential (empathy, complex people issues) offers a balanced roadmap for HR professionals navigating technological change.

For aspiring HR leaders, Lucy distills her success into two powerful recommendations: identify your unique strengths ("magic sprinkles") and develop robust commercial acumen. Her emphasis on understanding business operations, finances, and strategic alignment challenges listeners to elevate HR from a support function to a genuine business partnership.

Ready to transform your approach to people leadership? Listen now and discover how balancing technological innovation with human connection is the future of effective HR practice.

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