New research from the professional networking platform LinkedIn has highlighted a need for a better cultural understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian workplaces.

The research showed that 85% of non-Indigenous workers admitted to knowing little about Indigenous culture, while 54% expressed discomfort about potentially asking insensitive questions.

In response to these findings, LinkedIn has launched the National Reconciliation Week initiative, partnering with Indigenous creative consultancy Campfire X on a project called Connecting Voices.

This initiative pairs non-Indigenous business leaders with Indigenous professionals to promote meaningful dialogue about reconciliation in the workplace.

Finder Australia CEO Chris Ellis and First Nations Media CEO and proud Noongar man Professor Shane Hearn have come together as part of the project.

They aim to address the need for acceptance and understanding as critical elements in Australian businesses progressing towards national reconciliation.

"It's important to have real purpose in reconciliation, especially in the business context," Professor Hearn said.

"Reconciliation Action Plans shift the way people think and create more actions around learning.

"And with that, you start to change the culture and promote meaningful actions."

Ellis, a UK expatriate, said "when you acknowledge and recognise the traditional owners of the country and the history behind Australia, that breeds acceptance and allows us to move forward."

Echoing Ellis's sentiments, Hearn, an Indigenous Australian academic, defined reconciliation as actions that bridge the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Addressing the gap in cultural knowledge Professor Hearn urged non-Indigenous Australians to proactively seek education on Aboriginal culture and to understand the purpose of gaining this knowledge.

"First Nations media for example, is a platform to learn about our people and to share our culture," he said.

"So I really do think non-Indigenous Australians need to have that motivation to educate themselves.

They need to understand the purpose behind the knowledge and again it goes back to that true understanding and appetite to learn."

The leaders also offered insights on how businesses can create meaningful impact rather than tokenistic actions with Ellis encouraging businesses to forge authentic connections with First Nations communities, while Hearn highlighted the effectiveness of Reconciliation Action Plans.