The HR & CQ Show
Welcome to The HR & CQ Show, where Cultural Intelligence meets HR expertise in the heart of the UAE. Hosted by Emma Jordaan, a recognised thought leader in Cultural Intelligence, and Sarah Brooks, an HR Guru with a wealth of experience, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of Human Resources and Cultural Intelligence in one of the world's most dynamic regions.Each episode, we dive deep into the latest HR trends, cultural insights, and best practices tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in the UAE. Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or simply curious about...
Episode 12 - Why International Assignments Fail and how HR can provide better support
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 In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, Emma Jordaan and Sarah Brooks dive into the hidden challenges of international assignments in Dubai and beyond. With nearly 40% of relocations failing—and 70% of those due to family members not settling in—the conversation explores the real costs for organisations and the human impact on assignees and their loved ones. From cultural onboarding and family support to practical relocation coaching and HR’s role in smoothing the transition, Emma and Sarah share strategies to reduce assignment failure, boost retention, and build happier, more effective multicultural teams...
Episode 11 - Navigating the Dubai Job Market – Insights for Jobseekers & HR
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Dubai is seeing an unprecedented influx of newcomers – around 1,000 people arriving every single day. With the government’s ambitious 2040 Master Urban Plan aiming to nearly double the population, the job market is more competitive than ever.
In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan dive into the realities of job hunting in Dubai. From cultural dynamics in interviews to the unwritten rules of the job market, we explore the opportunities and challenges facing both jobseekers and HR professionals.
We discuss:
The current state of D...Episode 10 - Emiratisation Decoded in the UAE Private Sector
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In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, Emma Jordaan and Sarah Brooks delve into the timely topic of Emiratisation, the UAE’s national initiative to increase the participation of Emiratis in the private sector. Joined by special guest Shazia Bharuchi, a British career coach working closely with Emiratis, the trio explore the real-world challenges Emiratis face when stepping into multicultural workplaces in the private sector, often led by Western norms.
From understanding the evolving HR compliance to discussing how Cultural Intelligence (CQ) pl...
Episode 9 - Rethinking Leadership and Well-being in the Workplace
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In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Stebbing-Mills (Co-Founder of The Wellness Theory) and Sam Harvey (Founder and MD of Braver Leaders) to explore the real meaning of leadership and wellbeing in today’s multicultural workplace.
We tackle:
The rise (and risks) of well-washingWhy burnout isn’t just for entrepreneursThe difference between being a manager and being a leaderHow to create safe, psychologically supportive environmentsWhat it takes to lead system-wide wellbeing change without a fancy titleFrom challenging hierarchy to decoding cultural norms around lead...
Episode 8 - The Hidden Value of HR - How Data Drives Success
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In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, we sit down with Carmen Rendy and Alex Stanchu, co-founders of Divergent Line HR Consultants, to unpack their bold move from corporate HR to entrepreneurship — and the innovation they’ve brought with them.
Together, we dive deep into:
Why traditional performance management systems are broken — and what needs to changeHow their tool RED (Reward, Engage, Develop) is transforming how organisations approach performance, recognition, and employee engagementThe cultural nuances of motivation and how data can reveal your true star perfor...Episode 7 - Cultural Intelligence with Guest Dr David Livermore
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In this special episode of The HR & CQ Show, we’re joined by none other than Dr. David Livermore, global thought leader on Cultural Intelligence (CQ), author, andÂ
Director of CQ Fellows.Â
Together, we dive into what the future of work looks like in one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic business hubs, Dubai.Â
Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or working in one of Dubai’s global teams, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies and eye-opening perspectives from one o...
Episode 6 - Disciplinary
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Episode 5 - Performance Management
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Episode 4 - Employee Onboarding
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In this episode, Sarah Brooks MCIPD and Emma Jordaan explore the ins and outs of onboarding in Dubai, including:
 ✅ Educating new hires about company culture.
 🌏 Embracing diversity beyond Emirati culture.
 🤝 Navigating cultural differences in the workplace.
 📋 Simplifying the visa process for international employees.
 🔄 Onboarding internal transfers.
 📉 Why 40% of international assignments fail—and how to prevent it.
Whether you’re an HR professional, a manager, or just curious about what makes great onboarding tick, this episode is packed with actionable i...
Episode 3 - Talking all things Job Descriptions
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Episode 2 - Insights into HR in the UAE
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Episode 1 - What is Cultural Intelligence (CQ)?
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