Inclusion at Work

“Getting DEI on the Agenda" is the third podcast in our new "Thinking Differently About DEI" series.

 In these conversations we explore new ways to solve the biggest challenges in DEI. 

Based on learnings from a broad range of organisations, we share our perspectives on:

• Why getting DEI on people's agendas is a challenge
• The consequences of not getting this right
• Strategies and real world examples for making DEI initiatives relevant and motivating
• Practical tips for overcoming resistance and sustaining DEI efforts over time.

Join us as we delve into these insights and more, providing you with tangible ways to elevate DEI within your organisation.

📧 Connect with Us

To talk to use about anything culture change or DEI, email us at [email protected]

Links

1. Leaders For Good
2. Kerry Boys
3. Phil Cross
4. Effectively Embedding DEI - PODCAST
5. Making sense of DEI complexity - PODCAST

In this episode of the Inclusion at Work Podcast we sit down with Anna Yanatchkova, Senior Manager, Global Goals Planning & Engagement and acting Head of Inclusion at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

We dive deep into the topic of creativity, exploring:

• Why we are all ‘creative people’
• The importance of creativity for problem solving in organisations and as a society
• The connection between creativity, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion
• How to go about fostering more creative cultures, including the roles of leaders and how we might think about the role of methods such a Design Thinking

Effectively Embedding DEI is the second podcast in our new Thinking Differently About DEI series.

In this series we explore how we can find new ways to solve the biggest challenges in DEI. This episode looks at how we can shift away from attempting ineffective ‘transformational’ change to embedding DEI through “1%ers”; small changes that make a big difference.

Based on learnings from a broad range of organisations, we share:

• The challenges with how many organisations are trying to look at DEI as a “bolt on”
• A new model to think about embedding DEI from a “1%ers” approach
• How this model can be applied to your organisation with real life examples 

📧 Connect with Us

To talk to us about anything culture change or DEI, email us at [email protected]

What you’ll learn about

00:01:06 - Embedding DEI into Organizations

00:02:31 - Prevailing Attitudes and Challenges in DEI

00:03:15 - The Cycle of DEI Efforts and Incremental Change

00:05:11 - Inspiration from Cycling and Small Changes

00:07:36 - Benefits of Incremental Approach in DEI

00:09:25 - Examples of 1% Changes for DEI

00:14:18 - Strategic Approach to 1% Changes

00:17:13 - Measuring the Impact of DEI Initiatives

00:23:27 - Summary and Next Episode Preview

Links

1. Leaders For Good
2. Kerry Boys
3. Phil Cross
4. Making sense of DEI complexity - PODCAST
5. Whole Systems Model

Making Sense of DEI Complexity, the first in our new Thinking Differently About DEI series.

In this series we explore how we can find new ways to solve the biggest challenges in DEI. This first episode looks at how we can simplify DEI to help our team make sense of the work we are doing and to use our stretched resources in the most effective way. Based on learnings from a broad range of organisations, we share:

• The challenges with how many organisations are taking a “diversity group” first approach to DEI
• A new model to think about DEI from a “foundations first” approach
• How this model can be applied with real life examples including strategy and L&D

📧 Connect with Us

To talk to use about anything culture change or DEI, email us at [email protected]

What you’ll learn about

• 00:01:27 Lack of progress in representation.
• 00:05:06 Making sense of DEI complexity.
• 00:08:05 DEI complexity challenge.
• 00:13:23 DEI strategy from an inclusion first perspective.
• 00:16:16 Strategic pillars in DEI.
• 00:20:09 Focusing on inclusion and strategy.
• 00:23:57 Allyship training and inclusion.
• 00:27:09 Collective problem solving for ERGs.
• 00:30:14 Moving to an Inclusion Foundation's approach.
• 00:34:12 Building a platform for inclusion.
• 00:37:21 DEI work and inclusion foundations.

Links

1. Leaders For Good
2. Kerry Boys
3. Phil Cross

Join Kerry Boys and Phil Cross as they delve into the complexities of fostering diversity within leadership teams on the latest episode of ‘Inclusion at Work,’ a Leaders for Good podcast.

In this discussion, they shine a light on the hurdles faced by organizations striving for diverse senior leadership.

They talk candidly about the limited candidate pools and the challenges faced by historically marginalized groups in accessing leadership roles, leading to the current disparities.

Kerry and Phil unpack the various barriers obstructing representative leadership groups, offering insights into the complexities of the issue.

But it's not just about problems; it's about solutions. Tune in as they share practical strategies for achieving genuine diversity and inclusion within leadership.

📧 Connect with Us

To talk to use about anything culture change or DEI, email us at [email protected]

What you’ll learn about

• 00:00:33 Increasing diversity in leadership is important for organizations.
• 00:06:03 Importance of diversity targets.
• 00:10:29 Improving diversity in recruitment.
• 00:14:17 Inclusive hiring drives better results.
• 00:19:02 Focus on diversity and inclusion.
• 00:27:15 Focus on inclusion, not just diversity.
• 00:32:44 Strategic approach to diversity and inclusion.
• 00:34:36 Long-term approach for DEI.

Links

1. Leaders For Good
2. Kerry Boys
3. Phil Cross

At their best employee resource groups (ERGs) provide a space for connection, mutual support and career development for their members. They benefit the organisation by driving strategic priorities and help the communities they advocate for by addressing inequity and creating positive change. 

But at their worst, ERGs can become demotivated and negative. They can generate additional and non impactful work for themselves and others, and also create risks through organisational misalignment and agitation for change that might not actually be possible or desirable. 

In this episode Kerry Boys and Phil Cross deep dive into what an effective ERG looks like and how we can ensure they impact our organisations and our teams positively.

In this episode Lydia Ho, the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer at Future Super, shares valuable insights about the impactful work being done at Future Super.

During our chat we explore:

• The significance of iteration and testing, emphasising the importance of humility throughout the process.
• How Future Super fosters a culture where individuals feel empowered to speak up, and the mechanisms the organisation employs to actively listen and take action based on feedback.
• The topic of prioritising activities and initiatives when faced with numerous competing priorities.

This wide-ranging conversation with Lydia is filled with insightful gems that listeners can take away, enjoy!

Why is it important to continue DEI work during tough times?

In this episode, part two of their conversation, Phil Cross and Nadya Powell highlight the necessity for companies to maintain their DEI efforts even during economic downturns.

They also discuss: 

• The challenges and advantages of unconscious bias training, 
• The importance of leading through change.
• Why paying lip service is not enough and how real action is needed to make progress on DEI initiatives.

Listeners will find valuable resources to continue their learning and engagement in this work, making this episode a must-listen for all those interested in promoting DEI in their workplaces.

You can find this episode (along with part one of this chat) on your favourite podcast app.

Show Notes

Part One

What does great diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) look like in today’s organisations?

In this episode Phil Cross sits down with Nadya Powell – Founding Partner of UK based Utopia where she partners with global businesses such as Google, P&G, Kellogg and Spotify to rewire business cultures to be inclusive and healthy. 

Phil and Nadya discuss various aspects of best practice DEI, including:

- The benefits of having “noisy organisations”

- What effective inclusive leadership looks like

- The power of inclusive partnerships

The conversation was so comprehensive that it had to be split into two parts. Stay tuned for part two to hear more valuable insights on how to foster a culture of inclusion and promote DEI in the workplace.

If you are one of those people in your organisation who've found yourself leading the charge on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Or if you're an organisational leader, people and culture or HR professional, this episode is for you.

We speak with Dr. Jen O'Ryan, author, consultant, and specialist in inclusion, diversity, and belonging. Jen has a PhD in human behaviour and her background is in tech, leading organisational change and launching global initiatives.

We touch on many topics during this conversation, from safe spaces to inclusive language and much more. All sparked by conversation around Jen’s recent book, Inclusive AF - A Field Guide for Accidental Diversity Experts.

Show Notes: 

- Jen O’Ryan

- Inclusive AF - A Field Guide for Accidental Diversity Experts by Dr Jen O'Ryan

- Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

- Building Brave Spaces with with Brené Brown & Barrett Guillen