What I’m Saying (and Writing)

Media

Balancing Empathy & Accountability in the Workplace- AHRI Magazine

21 March 2025

Michelle shares that balancing empathy for employee well-being with accountability for performance is one of the more complex challenges leaders face today. She highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and instead advocates for thoughtful, values-aligned decision-making grounded in deeper inquiry—considering workplace conditions, fairness, team impact, and broader cultural implications. For Michelle, these situations are not just isolated people issues, but a reflection of organisational culture, ethical leadership, and governance, requiring leaders to support individuals while maintaining trust, equity, and overall team effectiveness.

Does DEI need a reset? - ABC National Radio

7 February 2025

Michelle joins host Lisa Leong to discuss the impacts here in Australia and abroad around the anti-diversity, equity & inclusion rhetoric that is gaining steam in politics. Michelle and guests explore why there is resistance to “DEI” in the workplace, and discuss the ways to improve the implementation of programs so that everyone is on the same page.

Op Ed: The DE&I problem facing Australia ahead of a second Trump presidency - Women’s Agenda

22 November 2024

“Too often, DE&I initiatives are reactive rather than proactive – responding to crises rather than working to prevent them. If DE&I remains a “nice to have” rather than a core organisational imperative, harassment and misconduct will continue to surface in devastating reports, damaging employee trust and public confidence. The repercussions of neglecting DE&I are severe and costly. Institutions that fail to act on harassment or that treat DE&I as a “soft” issue routinely face legal, reputational, operational, and strategic risks. The result is disengaged employees, increased turnover, declining productivity, and ultimately the loss of valuable public trust in organisations.”

Lead DE&I from wherever you stand - Business in Colour Podcast

14 August 2024

EP. 118 of #businessincolour with magic Michelle Lim 林敏诗. Michelle is an outstanding leader and urges us to lead from where we stand - we don't need a leadership title or a specific role to improve respect, equity and inclusion. I have seen Michelle do this, and influence rooms of people to do better. Michelle, you are insightful, courageous, and business savvy.

Equity vs. Equality in the Workplace - Level:Asian Podcast

11 August 2024

Michelle joins host Lisa Leong to discuss the impacts here in Australia and abroad around the anti-diversity, equity & inclusion rhetoric that is gaining steam in politics. Michelle and guests explore why there is resistance to “DEI” in the workplace, and discuss the ways to improve the implementation of programs so that everyone is on the same page.

What is the 'cultural tax' and how can employers avoid 'the great resignation'? - ABC News

09 October 2022

This alignment of personal and workplace values is becoming increasingly important for young employees. The pandemic has shifted the way many people perceive their work, with terms like the great resignation, burnout and work-life balance becoming common parlance. "I think workplaces or organisations tend to fall into this thinking that, 'Oh, no, we're losing all these staff because they feel they're not fairly remunerated," Ms Lim said. That might be a factor, she said, but it was not the whole story, and there was no one-size-fits-all solution. "A lot of it comes back to organisational culture again, and it's that sense of belonging and having psychological safety at work. I think that's fundamental to keeping staff and ensuring that people feel empowered and can thrive at work." That includes having an environment where you feel you belong, having the opportunity to learn and grow, to challenge things, make mistakes, and feel a part of something bigger.