Our guest today is Fiona Blakely, Chief People Officer at Arafura Rare Earths and an organisational psychologist with more than 30 years’ multinational, multi-sector experience in culture and organisational design. Fiona’s career includes senior roles at OZ Minerals, Shell, Bausch & Lomb and Lion, shaping her deep interest in systems leadership and how organisations create cultures that endure beyond individuals. In this episode, she shares practical insights on building sustainable, high-performing workplaces.

Fiona Blakely 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-blakely/
David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/
Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/
ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko

Timecodes:

0:00 Welcome and Introduction to Fiona Blakely

3:46 Unpacking Fiona’s Formative Years and Dublin Roots

10:39 What Really Shapes a Leader?

15:37 Why Culture is a Moral and Commercial Imperative

18:28 The Ingredients of a Strong Culture

24:40 Building Sustainable Cultures that Outlast the Individual

26:59 Systems Leadership

34:50 Arafura Rare Earths Employee Value Proposition

42:07 The People Factor: Strategy is Execution, Execution is People

48:21 Listening as a Mindset: Not Just a Skill

55:04 Modifying Mindsets and Inserting the Pause

1:01:00 Revealing Blind Spots Through Vulnerability and Inquiry

1:06:21 Rapid Fire Questions

1:19:07 Underrated or Overhyped

1:25:58 Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

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Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.