In this episode of the Arete Podcast, I speak with Trudy MacDonald, founder of Talent Code HR and a former CEO of three organisations, with a background in organisational psychology. Trudy shares powerful insights into the post-pandemic leadership landscape and what it takes to build high-performance teams in today’s evolving world of work. We explore the shift toward more empathetic leadership, the emerging challenge of balancing empathy with accountability, and why too much flexibility can sometimes erode performance cultures. Trudy discusses practical frameworks for instilling accountability without losing connection, the importance of redefining employer branding, and how expectations around pay and remote work have transformed. We also touch on the role of AI in shaping the future of leadership and performance, and close with a personal look at what fuels Trudy’s drive, her early mornings, rowing, and a commitment to staying ahead of the curve. TIME STAMPS: 01:55 – Trudy’s background in organisational psychology and founding Talent Code HR 06:12 – The permanent shift to hybrid work and leadership adaptation 08:31 – Too much empathy, not enough accountability: finding the balance 12:40 – Cultural consequences of over-accommodating employees 17:20 – Systems and leadership behaviours that drive accountability 21:30 – Making accountability a team sport with transparency and trust 25:45 – Why good is no longer good enough: defining “great” performance 29:40 – Building an EVP: why people join, stay, or leave your business 35:20 – Why money has become the top motivator post-pandemic 42:18 – Creating a safe, high-performance environment that retains top talent