The Science of Unconscious Bias: How Hidden Assumptions Hold Teams Back

Welcome to the weekly Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN) – where we share real conversations to help you build your recruiting team, level up your recruiter training, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition.

TRN – Enabling recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity and profitability.

In this episode with Adam Tobias, Co-Founder of The Inventum Group and a leading expert in Inclusive Talent Solutions, James Osborne explores the science behind unconscious bias and how hidden assumptions quietly undermine hiring decisions, team performance, and business growth.

Together, they unpack why unconscious bias is part of the human condition, how it shows up in recruitment processes, and why inclusive hiring is not just a moral or ethical conversation—but a powerful commercial advantage. The discussion covers practical examples of bias in interviews, CV screening, and client decision-making, alongside actionable ways recruiters can reduce bias through better structure, process, and mindset.

This episode also dives into why diverse teams outperform, how inclusion drives innovation and retention, and why recruiters who embrace ED&I can differentiate themselves, win better clients, and future-proof their businesses.

Whether you’re a recruitment business owner, leader, or consultant, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you practical tools to build stronger teams and deliver better outcomes for your clients.

What is TRN?
The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including:
• An inclusive leadership club
• Recruitment Trailblazers – a programme tailored for billing managers
• Full back-office support and training
• TRN World, our innovative online community
• Access to investment insights, technology guidance, expert content, and much more

🔗 Explore more recruitment content:
https://trn.world/page/content

📈 Upgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching & training:
https://trn.world/page/training
(Access to TRN World and content included for members)

📱 Download our app – just search The Recruitment Network

🔐 Already a TRN member? Log in here:
https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/login

📚 Access The Ultimate AI in-a-Box and other practical guides for TRN members:
https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learn

Subscribe now!
Your go-to show for recruitment business support, recruiter development, and impactful leadership.

Join James Osborne and Neil Carberry at the REC for a deep dive into the recruitment industry as we head into 2026. In this episode, we discuss:

• How the recruitment market is evolving — and why the old ways won’t work anymore
• The importance of focusing on people, talent, and long-term strategy
• The role of AI and technology in shaping recruitment and talent strategies
• How REC and TRN’s new partnership empowers recruiters with insights, skills, and tools
• The shift from transactional recruiting to consultative, boardroom-level partnerships
• Why demonstrating value over price is the key to thriving in today’s market
• Real examples of recruitment businesses punching above their weight

If you’re a recruiter or recruitment leader looking to future-proof your business, this conversation offers practical insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you navigate change and win in a competitive market.

What is TRN? https://therecruitmentnetwork.com

The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• an inclusive leadership club

• Recruitment Trailblazers — a programme tailored for billing managers

• full back-office support and training

• TRN World — our innovative online community

• access to investment insights, technology guidance, and expert content

• and much more

What is REC? https://www.rec.uk.com

REC – Recruitment & Employment Confederation is the UK’s professional body and trade association for the recruitment industry. We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• Setting and maintaining professional and ethical standards through our Code of Professional Practice

• Training, qualifications, and professional development for recruiters at all levels

• Legal advice and compliance support to help agencies operate safely and effectively

• Market insights, research, and industry data to inform business decisions

• Advocacy and representation of the recruitment industry to government, regulators, and the media

• Networking opportunities and support for business growth and best practice

Welcome to the Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN) — where we share real conversations to help you build high-performing teams, increase productivity, and stay ahead in an ever-changing recruitment market. TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, profitability, and long-term success.

In this episode, Jamie Burrows joins TRN Co-founder Gordon Stoddart to uncover where recruitment teams are unknowingly leaving serious revenue on the table — and what leaders can do to recover it. Drawing on Jamie’s extensive experience working with recruitment businesses of all sizes, this conversation breaks down the hidden leaks in productivity, business development, and client management that quietly cost firms hundreds of thousands each year.

Jamie shares the three biggest causes of lost revenue: failing to fully maximise existing clients, not upgrading or reviewing current relationships, and leaving client referrals entirely to chance. Together, Jamie and Gordon explore why these issues persist, how poor structure and process create inefficiency, and why even high-performing consultants often plateau without realising it.

You’ll hear practical, real-world examples of how recruitment teams have re-engaged lapsed clients, improved fill rates, increased meetings, and driven significant revenue growth by putting simple but disciplined processes in place. The discussion also dives into the role of leadership, data, and KPIs, and why clarity of expectations is critical for rebuilding a strong sales and performance culture heading into 2026.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
• The three biggest reasons recruitment teams leave revenue on the table
• How to unlock more value from existing clients without chasing more jobs
• Why service reviews and client feedback create new opportunities
• How to turn client referrals into a repeatable, predictable process
• Where productivity is being lost through poorly qualified work

What is TRN?
The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including:
• an inclusive leadership club
• Recruitment Trailblazers — a programme tailored for billing managers
• full back-office support and training
• TRN World — our innovative online community
• access to investment insights, technology guidance, and expert content
• and much more

Explore more recruitment content: https://trn.world/page/content
Upgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training: https://trn.world/page/training (Access to TRN World and content included for members)
Download our app — just search The Recruitment Network
Already a TRN member? Log in here: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/login
Access The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learn

Subscribe now — your go-to show for recruitment business growth, consultant performance, client strategy, and leadership insights.

TRN Wrapped is a look back at the moments, shifts and surprises that shaped recruitment this year, and a forward glance at what leaders need to take into 2026.Join Gordon Stoddart, James Osborne, guest speakers Sam Maxwell Reed, Dawn Hampton, and Karen DeMerist for a live breakdown of the year that was… and the year that’s coming.This isn’t a typical recap.It’s a leadership-level unpacking of the trends, behaviours, wins and wake-up calls that defined 2025 - all distilled into clear takeaways you can use immediately.Why Attend?Because 2026 won’t reward guesswork. It will reward clarity, focus and leaders who understand the lessons from the year behind them.TRN Wrapped is your chance to:✅ Get a clear, honest snapshot of the state of recruitment in 2025.✅ Learn from the experiences of respected industry operators.✅ Understand the trends that will shape performance in 2026.✅ Leave with sharper direction and stronger strategic momentum.

Welcome to the Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN) — where we share real conversations to help you build high-performing teams, support recruiter wellbeing, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition. TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity, and profitability.

In this episode with James Walker, Managing Director of BWD Group, we dive deep into one of the most powerful (and underused) levers in recruitment leadership: true productivity analysis. Joined by TRN Co-founder Gordon Stoddart, James shares how a simple but disciplined time audit .became a catalyst for major change across his business Together, they explore how to move beyond surface-level KPIs and outputs to truly understand what consultants are working on day to day, where time is being lost, and how leaders can unlock more value without burning people out. James breaks down how he implemented a visibility (time audit) report, used AI to analyse the data, uncovered inefficiencies, and identified the real problems holding productivity back — from CRM trust and data quality to habits, consistency, and focus.

This candid fireside chat covers:Why most recruitment productivity problems are misunderstoodHow to run a practical time and motion study without damaging trustWhat James learned about consultant behaviour (and his own)The critical link between clean data, CRM confidence, and AI ROIWhy consistency, discipline, and relationships will define the future of recruitmentHow understanding the real problem empowers better decisions and smarter automationThe session also includes live audience Q&A, offering practical insights recruitment leaders can apply immediately to improve focus, efficiency, and long-term performance.

What is TRN?The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including:• an inclusive leadership club• Recruitment Trailblazers — a programme tailored for billing managers• full back-office support and training• TRN World — our innovative online community• access to investment insights, technology guidance, and expert content• and much moreExplore more recruitment content: https://trn.world/page/contentUpgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training: https://trn.world/page/training(Access to TRN World and content included for members)Download our app — just search The Recruitment NetworkAlready a TRN member? Log in here: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/log...The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members:https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learn

Subscribe now — your go-to show for recruitment business support, productivity improvement, recruiter development, and impactful leadership.

Welcome to the Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN) — where we share real conversations to help you build high-performing teams, support recruiter wellbeing, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition. TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity, and profitability.

In this episode with Naz Harrison, we explore one of the most critical challenges facing recruitment leaders today: how to retain your top billers before they burn out or walk away. Joined by TRN Co-founder Gordon Stoddart, Naz dives into the subtle but serious warning signs of disengagement, why even your highest-performing consultants can lose motivation, and what leaders often miss until it’s too late.

Together, they unpack how senior consultants think, what support they really need to stay engaged, and why traditional management approaches are no longer enough in 2025. You’ll hear practical insights on how to upskill, coach, and genuinely develop your top performers—ensuring they feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay. This fireside chat also includes a live Q&A, offering actionable strategies you can implement immediately to strengthen retention and future-proof your team.

What is TRN?
The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including:• an inclusive leadership club• Recruitment Trailblazers — a programme tailored for billing managers• full back-office support and training• TRN World — our innovative online community• access to investment insights, technology guidance, and expert content• and much more

Explore more recruitment content: https://trn.world/page/contentUpgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training: https://trn.world/page/training (Access to TRN World and content included for members)Download our app — just search The Recruitment NetworkAlready a TRN member? Log in here: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/loginAccess The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learn

Subscribe now — your go-to show for recruitment business support, recruiter development, team wellbeing, and impactful leadership.

Welcome to the Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN) — where we share real conversations to help you build high-performing teams, support recruiter wellbeing, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition. TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity, and profitability.

In this episode with Michelle Flynn, we dive into the essential topic of mental health and performance in recruitment with her webinar “Team Mindset Reset, Refocus and Perform.” Michelle, a certified Health & Performance Coach, joins TRN Co-founder James Osborne to explore how recruitment leaders can reset team mindset, recharge energy, and rewire performance from the inside out.

Michelle shares practical strategies to help your consultants overcome overwhelm, distraction, and low energy—so they can consistently use their full potential at work. You’ll discover how to spot disengagement early, structure your day and team habits for better focus, and implement science-backed high-performance practices. This session also includes a live Q&A with Michelle and James, providing actionable insights that you can take straight back into your recruitment business.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The mindset traps holding back team performance—and how to fix them

• Spotting overwhelm and disengagement before it’s too late

• How to structure your day (and team habits) for better energy and focus

• The science of high-performance habits: what actually works

• Practical wellbeing strategies for teams to perform without burnout

What is TRN?
The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including:
• an inclusive leadership club
• Recruitment Trailblazers — a programme tailored for billing managers
• full back-office support and training
• TRN World — our innovative online community
• access to investment insights, technology guidance, and expert content
• and much more

🔗 Explore more recruitment content: https://trn.world/page/content
📈 Upgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training: https://trn.world/page/training (Access to TRN World and content included for members)
📱 Download our app — just search The Recruitment Network
🔐 Already a TRN member? Log in here: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/login
📚 Access The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members: https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learn

Subscribe now! Your go-to show for recruitment business support, recruiter development, team wellbeing, and impactful leadership.

Welcome to the weekly Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN), where we share real conversations to help you build a stronger recruiting team, level up your recruiter training, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition.TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity and profitability.In this episode with Mark Bull, we explore From Boardroom to Battlefield: Smarter Models for Recruitment Growth. Mark brings decades of experience scaling recruitment businesses from startup to multi country operations, and he joins TRN Co founder James Osborne to unpack how today’s agencies can adapt, evolve and thrive in a market that continues to shift at high speed. Together, they examine what the modern recruiter needs to look like, how AI and automation are changing desk activity, why productivity per head remains one of the biggest challenges in the industry, and what recruitment leaders must do to stay relevant as technology and competition increase.You will learn:- How recruitment has come full circle and what that means for consultants- The real role of AI in recruitment and how to stay ahead- Why productivity levels are too low across the industry and how to improve them- The essential skills recruiters need to succeed today- How to create a strategy that can actually be executed- A practical 90 day sprint structure to accelerate performance- Why reviewing your operating model regularly is now essential- If you are a recruitment leader who wants to build a smarter, more resilient and more profitable agency, this conversation is essential listening.What is TRN?The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including: an inclusive leadership club, Recruitment Trailblazers (a programme tailored for billing managers), full back office support and training, TRN World (our online community), plus access to investment insights, technology guidance, expert content and more.🔗 Explore more recruitment content:https://trn.world/page/content📈 Upgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training:https://trn.world/page/training (Access to TRN World and content included for members)📱 Download our app by searching The Recruitment Network🔐 Already a TRN member? Log in here:https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/login📚 Access The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members:https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learnSubscribe now for recruitment business support, recruiter development and impactful leadership insights.

Welcome to the weekly Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN), where we share real conversations to help you build a stronger recruiting team, level up your recruiter training, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition.TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity and profitability.In this episode with Paul Spiers, global keynote speaker and host of The New P&L – Principles & Leadership in Business, we explore how great leaders can inspire innovation from the inside out. Paul shares how true transformation doesn’t start with new tools or strategies; it begins with your people. Together with TRN Co-founder James Osborne, he unpacks what it really takes to build a business where innovation is championed at every level, not just the top.You’ll learn:The Five Foundations that drive real organisational changeHow to build a culture of innovation without gimmicksThe Curiosity + Creativity = Innovation equation explainedWhat permission-led leadership means and why it mattersHow to create a legacy that lastsIf you’re a recruitment leader who wants your business to not just keep up but lead the way, this is an essential listen.What is TRN?The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders. We offer a wide range of benefits including: an inclusive leadership club; Recruitment Trailblazers, a programme tailored for billing managers; full back-office support and training; TRN World, our innovative online community; plus access to investment insights, technology guidance, expert content, and much more.🔗 Explore more recruitment content:https://trn.world/page/content📈 Upgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training:https://trn.world/page/training (Access to TRN World and content included for members)📱 Download our app by searching The Recruitment Network🔐 Already a TRN member? Log in here:https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/login📚 Access The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members:https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learnSubscribe now for recruitment business support, recruiter development, and impactful leadership.

Welcome to the weekly Recruitment Podcast by The Recruitment Network (TRN) — where we share real conversations to help you build your recruiting team, level up your recruiter training, and stay ahead in the world of talent acquisition.

TRN enables recruitment businesses to maximise their performance, productivity and profitability.

In this episode with David Thuillier, we dive into the journey behind building a thriving recruitment business — the wins, the setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way.

David opens up about the evolution of his business, the decisions that shaped its success, and the challenges that ultimately helped him grow stronger as a leader.

This is an honest and insightful look at what it really takes to scale sustainably in today’s recruitment industry.

You’ll discover practical advice, real-world stories, and actionable leadership insights that you can take back into your own business — whether you're growing a team, launching new services, or simply striving for better performance.

What is TRN?
The Recruitment Network is the ultimate support network for recruitment business leaders.

We offer a wide range of benefits including:
• an inclusive leadership club
• Recruitment Trailblazers — a programme tailored for billing managers
• full back-office support and training
• TRN World — our innovative online community
• access to investment insights, technology guidance and expert content
• and much more

🔗 Explore more recruitment content:
https://trn.world/page/content

📈 Upgrade your team with expert recruitment coaching and training:
https://trn.world/page/training
(Access to TRN World and content included for members)

📱 Download our app — just search The Recruitment Network

🔐 Already a TRN member? Log in here:
https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/login

📚 Access The Ultimate AI in a Box and other practical guides for TRN members:
https://therecruitmentnetwork.com/learn

Subscribe now!
Your go-to show for recruitment business support, recruiter development and impactful leadership.