Inside Our World in HR: The Power of Diversity, Talent Strategies & The Future of Work

The HR Community Podcast: A Deep Dive into Strategic EDIB & Talent Attraction with Phillipa Prothero

Welcome to another edition of our Inside Our World in HR article series bringing you fresh insights, expert discussions, and actionable strategies from industry leaders. With thousands of HR and Talent Acquisition professionals subscribed, this series is designed to keep you ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of work.

The latest episode of The HR Community Podcast is here, and this one’s a must-listen for anyone navigating the evolving world of HR and Talent Acquisition. We sat down with Philippa Prothero Phd , Principal at Nous Group , to explore strategic EDIB (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging), talent attraction strategies, and the big debate: does a diverse workforce truly outperform a uniform one in today’s hybrid world of work?

?? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ddrNRJRP

Meet Phillipa Prothero

Phillipa Prothero is a strategic powerhouse in the HR and advisory space. With extensive experience in organisational transformation, leadership development, and EDIB strategy, she plays a pivotal role in helping businesses attract, retain, and develop top talent. As a Principal at Nous Group, one of the leading management consultancies in Australia, Phillipa has advised organisations across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, shaping HR strategies that drive tangible business outcomes.

Diversity vs. Uniformity: The Great Debate in a Hybrid World

The shift to remote and hybrid work has transformed how teams collaborate, how leaders lead, and how talent is attracted and retained. But does a diverse (heterogeneous) workforce actually outperform a more uniform (homogeneous) one in this new world of work?

Phillipa weighed in:

"There is some interesting research... It looked at homogenous teams versus heterogeneous teams in a kind of virtual environment and versus a face-to-face environment... and found that homogenous teams face-to-face were more effective, but in a virtual environment, we get improved effectiveness for heterogeneous teams."

?? The Research Backs It Up

• 麦肯锡 latest report shows that companies in the top quartile for ethnic and gender diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their industry peers in profitability.
• Harvard Business Review found that cognitively diverse teams solve problems 30% faster than their more homogenous counterparts.
• However, a Gartner study highlights that if diverse teams lack inclusive leadership, they can struggle with cohesion and engagement—something many companies are still figuring out in hybrid models.

Key takeaway? Diversity alone isn’t enough. To truly outperform, companies need inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and equitable access to opportunities.

Strategic EDIB: Moving Beyond Tokenism

One of the most energising parts of our conversation was unpacking how HR leaders can embed EDIB into their talent strategies not as an afterthought, but as a commercial driver.

Phillipa’s advice:

"The sort of increased emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion... the way that has evolved over time has been really interesting for me, because I started my PhD looking really hard at the idea of recruiting for cultural fit, which at the time back in 2006 was a really big conversation."

?? So, what works? ? Data-driven decision-making: Use workforce analytics to track representation, engagement, and progression. ? Bias-free hiring strategies: Structured interviews and AI-driven screening can reduce unconscious bias. ? True flexibility: EDIB isn’t just about hiring more diverse people it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive. Hybrid work, flexible hours, and personalised career paths are essential.

Talent Attraction & Retention: What’s Working Right Now?

The battle for talent isn’t cooling down any time soon. With skills shortages and changing candidate expectations, HR and TA leaders need to rethink their strategies.

?? Phillipa’s insights:

• Employer brand is everything: "Candidates are assessing your culture long before they hit ‘apply’."
• The ‘why’ matters more than the ‘what’: "People want purpose-driven work. Companies that communicate their mission effectively are seeing stronger attraction and retention rates."
• Reimagine benefits: "If we write our job description or our advertisement out to market in a way that makes people self-select out, then we're cutting down our population from the very beginning."

?? Did You Know? According to LinkedIn ’s 2024 Global Talent Trends report, 76% of job seekers say they wouldn’t even consider a company that doesn’t prioritise flexible work.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Work is Flexible, Diverse & Inclusive

Hybrid work isn’t going anywhere, and the companies that thrive will be the ones that invest in inclusive leadership, flexible talent strategies, and authentic EDIB initiatives.

Our challenge:

Ask yourself, are you designing your talent strategy for the workforce you had, or the workforce you want? The future belongs to companies that build workplaces where everyone can do their best work, no matter where they are or who they are.

?? Want more insights? Listen to the full episode of The HR Community Podcast here: https://www.civitastalent.com/#pdocta

?? Let’s keep the conversation going! What’s working (or not working) in your organisation when it comes to hybrid work and diversity? Drop your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on LinkedIn!

About Civitas Talent

At Civitas Talent, we specialise in HR & HSE recruitment, helping businesses attract, retain, and secure the best talent. We’re passionate about connecting HR & HSE professionals with opportunities that drive real impact.

?? Join us at our upcoming HR & TA Leadership event! Meet top industry leaders, exchange ideas, and gain actionable insights to take your talent strategy to the next level.

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?? Visit our website for more insights & upcoming events: https://www.civitastalent.com/