The Why Podcast

Why are so many companies still struggling to achieve meaningful workforce diversity, and what does newly released data reveal about
the barriers hidden inside organisations?

In this episode of The Why Podcast, Rachel Flam uncovers what firm‑level evidence shows about representation, transparency and the forces shaping workplace equity today. The conversation highlights why disclosure matters and what happens when companies choose to remain silent.

Three key themes emerge from the discussion:

Newly available workforce data exposes the stark drop off in representation for racial minorities at first and middle management levels.

Organisations with lower managerial diversity are less likely to disclose their EEO 1 reports, indicating that non disclosure can be strategic rather than procedural.

Transparency plays a critical role in creating accountability, helping stakeholders see where gaps persist and encouraging firms to address barriers.

The episode also explores how firm‑level culture, internal processes and leadership practices can drive much of the variation in diversity across companies – far more than industry or geography alone can explain. As disclosure trends shift and public expectations rise, the conversation
addresses why honest reporting is essential for building equitable workplaces.

Assistant Professor of Accounting at London Business School,
Dr Rachel Flam is co‑author of ‘Behind the Curtain of Workforce
Diversity’, a landmark study using newly released EEO‑1 data to examine firm‑level diversity patterns.

Discover more about Rachel and her research: ⁠https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/r/rachel-flam

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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Professor Isabel Fernandez-Mateo examines how generative AI is reshaping the hiring process and why organisations need to approach these changes thoughtfully. With automation increasing the number of applications employers receive, rejection rates are higher and influencing who continues to participate in the talent pipeline. 

Three key themes emerge from the conversation: 


Technology is reshaping hiring from the ground up, altering how roles are defined, who sees them and who chooses to apply. These shifts raise pressing questions about fairness, transparency and hidden bias across each stage of recruitment. 


Automation promises efficiency but can also reinforce old assumptions, making applications appear increasingly similar and potentially limiting opportunities if organisations do not actively monitor how AI is used. 


Human insight remains essential, helping hiring managers understand context, recognise potential and ensure that recruitment decisions support diversity, organisational culture and long-term talent needs. 

Bias can be unintentionally perpetuated when AI draws on historic hiring data, such as how homogenised applications make true differentiation harder and why increased rejection rates may undermine diversity over time.  

In times of uncertainty, Isabel outlines the areas where hiring managers must stay cautious: maintaining transparency, questioning automated outputs and ensuring technology enhances – rather than restricts – who enters and progresses through the hiring funnel.  

Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Dr Isabel Fernandez-Mateo holds the Adecco Chair at London Business School. Discover more about Isabel and her research: https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/f/fernandezmateo-i 

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠.  

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Is AI just a tool for efficiency – or a partner in better decision-making? Sir Andrew Likierman argues it’s time for a rethink. In this sharp and timely conversation, he explains why judgement – the ability to combine knowledge, experience and human qualities – is more critical than ever in an AI-driven world. 

Rather than seeing humans and machines as rivals, Likierman calls for nuance: recognising what AI does brilliantly, where it falls short, and why context, trust and empathy remain uniquely human. He explores the six elements of good judgement, the risks of over-reliance on algorithms, and how leaders can sharpen their own decision-making in uncertain times. 

If you want clarity on how to thrive in the age of AI, Andrew Likierman provides insight on using technology without losing the human edge. Judgement isn’t optional – it’s essential. 

Sir Andrew Likierman is Professor of Management Practice and former Dean at London Business School. Discover more about Andrew and his research: https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/l/likierman-a

Read the article: https://www.london.edu/think/human-judgement-essential-in-ai

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠.

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Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice at London Business School, explores a seismic shift in the world of work with host Katie Pisa in this episode of The Why. Together, they discuss the rise of the freelance professional and why they might want your work but not your job.

It is time to reframe the gig economy clichés. Today’s freelancers are highly skilled, deeply experienced, and choosing autonomy over the traditional nine-to-five. Gratton unpacks what this means for organisations navigating disruption, digital transformation and the demand for agility. From strategic hires to cultural belonging, she reveals why the smartest leaders are rethinking not just who they hire, but how they work.

Whether you are a CEO wondering how to balance your workforce, or a professional plotting a multi-stage career, this episode offers a compelling look at the new rules of engagement in a blended working world.

If you've ever asked yourself, “What does a future-ready workforce really look like?” – find out more.

Harvard Business Review article: https://hbr.org/2024/05/highly-skilled-professionals-want-your-work-but-not-your-job

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode of The Why, host Katie Pisa welcomes Bukky
Akinsanmi Oyedeji, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, to unpack why physical work environments still hold power in a hybrid world.

Drawing on her research ‘Physical Work Environments: An
Integrative Review and Agenda for Future Research’, Bukky explores how office design affects not only employee health and productivity but also a firm’s ability to attract talent, retain resources, and signal legitimacy.

From standing desks and soundproof booths to the open-plan
layouts, this episode investigates the workplace as more than just a container for people – it is a canvas for strategy, culture, and performance.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the office is still worth the rent, this one’s for you.

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit Think at London Business School.

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