What can international HR experience teach us about leadership in an increasingly connected world?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Wendy Baker, Chief People Officer at Brosnan, to explore global HR, commercial leadership, organisational culture, and the leadership capabilities needed to thrive in today's rapidly changing workplace.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, Wendy shares practical insights into leading across cultures, developing commercial acumen, building trust, and helping organisations navigate complexity.

From international career opportunities and cultural intelligence to leadership, psychological safety, AI, governance, and high-performing teams, this conversation explores how curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning enable HR professionals to become trusted business partners.

Wendy also shares lessons from competitive yacht racing and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, drawing fascinating parallels between teamwork, communication, resilience, safety, and leadership in the workplace.

What You'll Learn


How international experience shapes stronger HR and leadership capability


Why curiosity is one of the most important leadership skills


The value of cultural intelligence in diverse workplaces


How HR professionals can strengthen their commercial and financial acumen


Why understanding the business is essential for becoming a trusted advisor


Practical advice for building an international HR career


Lessons on teamwork, trust, and communication from competitive yacht racing


How leaders can create psychologically safe, high-performing teams


Why lifelong learning and adaptability are critical for future leaders


How AI can enhance HR by creating more time for meaningful conversations

Key Takeaways


Great HR starts with understanding the business, not just the people.


Curiosity, listening, and adaptability are essential leadership capabilities.


Cultural intelligence helps leaders build stronger relationships across diverse teams.


Commercial understanding allows HR to become a genuine strategic partner.


High-performing teams are built on trust, communication, and psychological safety.


Leadership development is a lifelong journey of learning and reflection.


Technology should enable better conversations, not replace human judgement.


Supporting new employees well creates stronger teams and better long-term outcomes.

About Wendy Baker

Wendy Baker is Chief People Officer at Brosnan, bringing more than 20 years of Human Resources leadership experience across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore.

Her career includes senior HR leadership roles with organisations including American Express, JLL, CBRE, and Carter Holt Harvey, with expertise spanning organisational transformation, strategic HR, governance, commercial partnering, and leadership development.

A Chartered Member of HRNZ and Fellow of the UK's Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Wendy is passionate about building high-performing teams, developing future leaders, and helping organisations create workplaces where people and performance thrive together.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations become increasingly global, diverse, and technology-enabled, HR leaders are expected to contribute far beyond traditional people practices.

This episode provides practical insights into building commercial capability, leading across cultures, creating psychologically safe teams, and developing the curiosity and adaptability needed to thrive in the future of work. Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or people manager, Wendy's international experience offers valuable lessons that apply across every organisation.

Resources
Connect with Wendy Baker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybaker1/
Brosnan: https://brosnan.co.nz/

What can international HR experience teach us about leadership in an increasingly connected world?
In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Wendy Baker, Chief People Officer at Brosnan, to explore global HR, commercial leadership, organisational culture, and the leadership capabilities needed to thrive in today's rapidly changing workplace.
Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, Wendy shares practical insights into leading across cultures, developing commercial acumen, building trust, and helping organisations navigate complexity.
From international career opportunities and cultural intelligence to leadership, psychological safety, AI, governance, and high-performing teams, this conversation explores how curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning enable HR professionals to become trusted business partners.
Wendy also shares lessons from competitive yacht racing and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, drawing fascinating parallels between teamwork, communication, resilience, safety, and leadership in the workplace.
What You'll Learn
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Key Takeaways
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Great HR starts with understanding the business, not just the people.
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Curiosity, listening, and adaptability are essential leadership capabilities.
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Cultural intelligence helps leaders build stronger relationships across diverse teams.
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High-performing teams are built on trust, communication, and psychological safety.
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Leadership development is a lifelong journey of learning and reflection.
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Technology should enable better conversations, not replace human judgement.
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Supporting new employees well creates stronger teams and better long-term outcomes.
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About Wendy Baker
Wendy Baker is Chief People Officer at Brosnan, bringing more than 20 years of Human Resources leadership experience across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore.
Her career includes senior HR leadership roles with organisations including American Express, JLL, CBRE, and Carter Holt Harvey, with expertise spanning organisational transformation, strategic HR, governance, commercial partnering, and leadership development.
A Chartered Member of HRNZ and Fellow of the UK's Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Wendy is passionate about building high-performing teams, developing future leaders, and helping organisations create workplaces where people and performance thrive together.
Why This Episode Matters
As organisations become increasingly global, diverse, and technology-enabled, HR leaders are expected to contribute far beyond traditional people practices.
This episode provides practical insights into building commercial capability, leading across cultures, creating psychologically safe teams, and developing the curiosity and adaptability needed to thrive in the future of work. Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or people manager, Wendy's international experience offers valuable lessons that apply across every organisation.
Resources
<ul>
<li>Connect with Wendy Baker on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybaker1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybaker1/</a></li>
<li>Brosnan: <a href="https://brosnan.co.nz/">https://brosnan.co.nz/</a></li>
</ul>

HR Unlocked with Lisa Oakley is a leadership conversation series where thoughtful HR and business leaders share lived experience on people, risk, culture, and compliance. It is designed for business owners, senior leaders, and HR professionals across Australasia to learn from real decisions and leadership judgment. The show is a platform to honour the contribution of leaders willing to share their experience.

HR Unlocked with Lisa Oakley is a leadership conversation series where thoughtful HR and business leaders share lived experience on people, risk, culture, and compliance. It is designed for business owners, senior leaders, and HR professionals across Australasia to learn from real decisions and leadership judgment. The show is a platform to honour the contribution of leaders willing to share their experience.