Executive Summary
April 2024
The 40:40:20 for gender balance: Interrupting bias in your talent processes toolkit was initially developed in 2019 by the Champions of Change Property Group in collaboration with the Champions of Change Coalition, examines the touch points business leaders can use in recruitment and promotion processes to interrupt bias and widen their talent pools.
The toolkit details lessons learnt from in-depth reviews and feedback from talent managers, human resources professionals and women at various stages of their careers and offers examples of practical, high-impact actions. The toolkit builds on In the eye of the beholder: Avoiding the merit trap, a report published by Chief Executive Women and the Champions of Change Coalition in 2016. Which outlined how biases can influence the way merit is understood and applied, and why organisations can miss out on the best talent.
The toolkit also outlines a compelling business case for gender diversity. Gender balance and inclusion improves business results, team performance and individual performance. Studies show gender balanced organisations have a:
“Interrupting gender bias at all points in our talent processes takes deliberate action. If we want the best candidates and the best team and organisational results, then we need to invest in systems and processes that will ensure a broad talent pool is considered in every recruitment and promotion decision. It won’t just happen on its own.”
– Jonathan Callaghan, CEO Investa Property Group
“The value of gender balanced representation in organisations and on boards is now widely accepted. We now need robust and consistent talent processes in place so that our diversity goals are achieved and translated into genuine competitive advantage”
– John Mulcahy, Chair Mirvac
