Podcast Episode: Our Obsession with Cultural Fit Will Kill Workplace Diversity

In this thought-provoking episode of C-Level Conversations, Professor Gary Martin, CEO of the Australian Institute of Management WA, unpacks the increasingly controversial concept of "cultural fit" in hiring and why it might be doing more harm than good.

What once began as a way to build cohesive, values-aligned teams has morphed into a gatekeeping tool that reinforces bias, stifles diversity, and limits innovation. Professor Martin explains how the fixation on hiring people we feel comfortable with those who look, think, and act like us can unintentionally shut out difference and dilute workplace potential.

We explore the dangers of “looking glass merit,” the myth of sameness, and how it’s time to replace “fit” with “add.” Learn why embracing cultural add over cultural fit is critical for future-focused organisations committed to inclusion, performance, and growth.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• Why cultural fit is no longer fit-for-purpose
• How to spot hidden biases in recruitment
• The business case for hiring difference
• What leaders can do to foster true inclusion through hiring

This is a must-listen for business leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to building workplaces that thrive through diversity.

Connect with - Professor Gary Martin FAIM

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/professorgarymartin/

Podcast Episode: Talent Trends 2025: A Roadmap for Smarter Hiring and Retention

In this insightful episode, Amrutha hosts with Jason. S. Bradshaw – Global Guru on Customer Experience | Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker.

Together, they explore the evolving landscape of customer engagement, uncovering strategies that businesses can adopt to deliver exceptional experiences in 2025 and beyond.

What to Expect:

• Insights on emerging customer experience trends
• Proven strategies for building customer loyalty
• Practical tips on leveraging technology to enhance interactions
• Real-world examples of companies achieving customer success

Jason shares actionable insights drawn from his extensive experience working with global brands, empowering leaders to redefine their customer experience strategies in a rapidly changing market.

Whether you are a business leader, customer service professional, or entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable takeaways to strengthen customer relationships and drive long-term success.

The Double Bind Dilemma for Women in Leadership, with Sandy Chakravarty, Chair of Audi and Risk Committees, CFO, COO.

In this powerful episode, With Sandy Chakravarty, Chair of Audi and Risk Committees, CFO, COO. , a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience, joins Amrutha to discuss the "double bind dilemma" that women leaders face in the workplace. Sandy shares her personal journey, leadership insights, and strategies for overcoming societal biases.

Key Takeaways:

• The Double Bind Dilemma: Women leaders are often seen as either too hard or too soft, creating a challenging balance.
• Navigating Higher Standards: Women are frequently held to stricter performance benchmarks for fewer rewards.
• Personal Growth through Adversity: Sandy reflects on how her early life experiences shaped her leadership journey.
• Embracing Adaptive Leadership: Women can succeed by blending authoritative and empathetic approaches to meet diverse workplace demands.
• The Power of Mentorship: Building supportive relationships and mentorship is essential for navigating leadership challenges.

Sandy’s insights underscore the need to redefine leadership standards, challenge unconscious biases, and foster inclusive environments where women leaders can thrive.

🎙️ Tune in now to gain valuable strategies for breaking barriers and advancing in leadership!

With Karan Ferrell-Rhodes - CEO & Lead Strategist, Shockingly Different Leadership

Leaders will need to maintain energy and momentum to prepare the business for what lies ahead with the Global talent shortage.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• What are some of the hottest megatrends in the world of work?
• Key critical success factors of the world's most successful leaders
• How can you accelerate your career advancement.

Today’s guest - Karan Rhodes an Organizational strategist who specialises in up-leveling leader capability and optimizing workforces to excel.

Karan with her team of over 250 SDL consultants have worked with executive teams at impressive brands such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, British Petroleum, Meta, EY, Raymond James, Major League Baseball, and the NFl to name some.

Listen in as Karan gives us her expert insights on the current mega trends in the world of work.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanrhodes/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShockinglyDifferent

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shockinglydifferent/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ShockinglyD

Website - https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/

With over 30% of consumers willing to stop doing business with you after just 1 bad experience, there has never been a better time than now to focus on improving the experiences you create and deliver for your customers.

However, the foundation to delivering a consistent customer experience is the employee experience. Global research confirms that companies who are best-in-class when it comes to employee experience outperform their fortune 500 competitors in ways that it matters, including customer experience and shareholder returns.

In today’s episode we will explore

- What is customer experience

- Why data is key to driving customer experience

- The value of human connection in a digital exp

- Personalization in CX

- The role of EX in CX

- And more

Today’s guest is Jason. S. Bradshaw.

Jason created his first business at fourteen, selling telecommunications and computer equipment which opened his eyes to the power of customer and employee experience.

He worked with companies including Telstra, Target Australia, Fairfax Media, New South Wales Government, Optus, and Volkswagen Group Australia, he sat on the boards of ACON Health Limited and Oz ShowBiz Cares.

His ultimate passion is helping individuals and organisations, grow and achieve their goals.

Read more about the awards Jason won here.

Connect with Jason –

Twitter – https://twitter.com/jasonsbradshaw

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsbradshaw/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jasonsbradshaw/

Instagram – https://www.facebook.com/jasonsbradshaw/

Website - https://www.jasonsbradshaw.com/

Why is Social Responsibility a critical part of the overall business strategy now?

As customers, employees, suppliers and, indeed, society more broadly place increasing importance on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), some leaders have started to look at it as a creative opportunity to strengthen their brands while contributing to society at the same time.

For companies that see CSR as an opportunity to strengthen the business, the big challenge is execution. They view CSR as central to their overall strategies, helping them to creatively address key business issues

The big challenge for executives is how to develop an approach that can truly deliver on these lofty ambitions and, yet few have necessarily fulfilled these ambitions.

Today’s guest is one such leader who has not only researched the relationship between commercial organisations and charitable ones but has implemented responsible business strategies in an emphatic way in organisations he has led.

Today’s guest is Dr. David Cooke.

He completed a doctorate in 2009 titled “The philanthropic contract: Building Social Capital though Corporate Social Investment” which dealt with the role of profit–making corporations in furthering the work of the NGO sector and why this was sound business practice.

His work was awarded the Emerald Publishing Globally Responsible Leadership award for Social Impact in 2011 and in 2014 he was awarded the Top Alumnus of the last 20 years by the Southern Cross University Business School.

In 2020 he was awarded a doctorate honoris causa by Edith Cowan University for the implementation of responsible business initiatives in addressing modern slavery within corporate supply chains.

David has always sought to establish a work environment that fosters equity, diversity and inclusiveness.

He has spent 35 years in the tech sector in Australia and was appointed as the first non-Japanese Chairman & Managing Director of Konica Minolta Australia in 2013. Prior to that he held senior management positions with Canon and Xerox.

David is now consulting through his firm, ESG Advisory.

Today we ask David

• Why is responsible business initiatives more important now than ever before?
• How can leaders execute CSR effectively and connect it to ROI?
• How his social responsibility focused leadership paradigm transformed Konica Minolta Australia’s culture to become an award-winning employer of choice?

Resources mentioned in the podcast

• Modern Slavery Act Australia (link) https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018A00153
• Global Slavery Index Australia (link) https://www.globalslaveryindex.org/
• The Philanthropic Contract: Building Social Capital though Corporate Social Investment (PDF) SelectedWorks - David Cooke (bepress.com)
• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Connect with Dr. David Cooke

Website – https://esgadvisory.com.au

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidcooke/
Twitter – @drdavidcooke

Bruce Emery – High Performance Transformation Leader | MD - Transformd

Why does a high-performance work culture matter?

A high-performance culture helps the organisation achieve high levels of performance and results consistently over time. It’s no wonder then that building a high-performance culture is a chief goal for many leaders as it can mean the difference between stagnation and growth, competitiveness and being left behind.

High-performance work practices empower employees, which helps organizational efficiency and performance.

Companies using high performance practices benefit from reduced employee turnover while increasing their productivity and financial performance. However, it requires the trust and support of the employees for it to be effective.

My guest for this episode is Bruce Emery. Over the past twenty years, Bruce has delivered outstanding success growing underperforming businesses, implementing high performance, developing people and managing the design and execution of new product and opening up new markets.

Today Bruce explains:

• How an organisation needs to prepare when implementing High Performance.
• What leaders need to do to for their teams to shift form under performance.
• The key learnings from implementing High Performance in five companies.
• The characteristics of a high-performance culture.

How can a leader create a fun culture by being authentic?

Dean Talbot – Chief Sales and Service Executive (Banking)

Leaders have had to step up in a big way in the last 12 months…and will continue to have to do so ..in the recovery ahead!

It was a learning experience for everyone, but one that clarified the importance of positive leadership.

It seems counterintuitive to suggest that work should be fun, right? Our whole lives we’ve been taught “work hard, play hard”. But why can’t work be fun in itself?

Positive company culture is the best way to keep your employees and attract new ones. A fun culture stems from the energy and the vibe of your workplace, and it’s up to the leaders to set the tone for their team.

Today’s guest is Dean Talbot – Chief Sales and Service Officer, he has worked in C-Suite executive leadership positions with leading innovative and customer centric Australian banks for over 20 years.

Today Dean explains:

• The role a leader plays in developing a positive culture.
• How a fun positive culture contributes to productivity.
• Why leaders must encourage people to be themselves completely.

Conversation Highlights:

• How can you as a leader set the tone for a fun culture?
• The importance of authenticity in leadership.
• It is more important than ever for leaders to show their staff they genuinely care.
• Why do talented corporate professionals self-opt out of a company?
• What can you do to set up a fun engaged culture?
• Lessons learnt form sport applicable in business.