The Why Podcast: Why freelancers want your work but not your job
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
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The Why Podcast: Why does the office still matter?
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.
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The Why Podcast: Highlights from season two
In this special wrap-up episode of The Why Podcast, we revisit the most powerful insights from a season that explored identity, equity, power and culture through the lens of cutting-edge research.
From Gillian Ku’s exploration of ‘social uncertainty’ and the courage it takes to be authentic at work, to Olenka Kacperczyk’s deep dive into the gender gap in entrepreneurship, the season revealed how invisible barriers shape real-world outcomes.
Henri Servaes shared insights on how the #MeToo movement reshaped boardrooms while Randall Peterson unpacked the roots of team conflict, offering a framework for building trust and navigating tension.
Their research reflected on the human stories behind the data, reminding us why it is imperative to remain curious. If you’ve ever wondered how research can illuminate the lived experience, or how we can come to better understand behaviour, leadership and change, start by asking: “Why?”
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The Why Podcast: Why do teams fall apart – and what can we do about it?
In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa speaks with Professor Randall S Peterson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, about one of the most costly, time-consuming, and universal workplace issues: team conflict.
Based on his research about conflict 4 Common Types of Team Conflict—and How to Resolve Them, Randall outlines a practical framework for diagnosing and managing interpersonal tensions that derail productivity and damage trust.
Most of us avoid conflict, but that can be costly. Studies show managers spend 20% of their time handling tension with teams—yet few have a plan for dealing with it.
Listen as Randall unpacks the four most common conflict patterns—solo dissenters, dyadic conflicts, warring factions, and all-out team
meltdowns—revealing why each arises, what leaders typically get wrong, and how to tailor conflict-resolution strategies for long-term performance and psychological safety.
If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and sensed an
invisible storm brewing, or just want to understand more about inevitable
conflict that is a part of the working world, this episode is for you.
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The Why Podcast: Why does corporate culture matter to investors?
In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa sits down with Henri Servaes, Professor of Finance at London Business School and Richard Brealey Professor of Corporate Governance, to explore how corporate culture—particularly around gender equality and inclusion—is reshaping investment decisions and boardroom dynamics.
Drawing on his recent research, Sexism, Culture, and Firm Value: Evidence from the Harvey Weinstein Scandal and the #MeToo Movement, Henri unpacks how the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal triggered revelations of toxic workplace culture that started a re-evaluation of what “good governance” really means. The conversation delves into why firms with more inclusive leadership structures saw meaningful gains in investor interest—and how sexism, far from being just a moral issue, now carries material consequences for valuation and reputation.
From institutional investors shifting portfolios to companies in “boys’ club” industries scrambling to improve diversity, this episode examines the measurable market response to cultural failings—and what that means for the future of leadership, governance, and trust in capital markets.
If you’ve ever wondered whether values influence valuation, this one’s for you.
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Every piece of academic research starts with a question to answer or puzzle to solve. Listen in as London Business School faculty describe how they set about making new discoveries on a subject they’re curious about, what their findings suggest, and discuss the current and potential future impact of their research for you and your business. A Think at London Business School podcast.
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