Episode Details

What separates truly high-performing organisations from everyone else?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Estelle Curd, Chief People Officer at Kami, to explore leadership, organisational culture, startup growth, and the role people leaders play in building exceptional workplaces.

Drawing on experience across Rocket Lab, Armstrong's and Kami, Estelle shares practical lessons from founder-led organisations where belief, purpose and high standards drive extraordinary outcomes.

From middle leadership and organisational culture to Women in STEM, flexible work, employee experience, and authentic leadership, this conversation explores what it really takes to build workplaces where people perform at their best while staying connected to meaningful work.

What You'll Learn

• Why founder-led organisations often create exceptional cultures

• The critical role middle managers play in organisational performance

• Why leaders should seek respect before popularity

• How purpose and a clear "why" drive engagement and performance

• The importance of clarity, transparency and difficult conversations