In this deep conversation about the real experience of the transition into parenthood and the identity shift that happens for people when they become parents, Frances and Ursula explore how employers can transform the return experience, overcome bias and assumptions and leverage the skills working parents bring to their work.

Frances shares lots of practical, actionable steps leaders can take to engage and retain working mothers and fathers, and sets out the skills leaders and managers need today in 2024.

You can find out more about Frances's amazing work at https://thematernitycoach.com/

In this straight-talking conversation with Paul Nugent, Chief Executive of Santé Group, we explore practical ways employers can make sure their benefits structure is truly inclusive, and the impact on engagement and performance when this is done right. We talk about how vital it is for leaders to use all communication channels available to engage with every single employee (not just those who are easier to reach) to find out what they need, and how now more than ever flexibility and choice lie at the intersection of meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

Paul speaks passionately about his belief that a combination of visiting people to gather anecdotal feedback, spot trends and pick up on areas of dissatisfaction joined with using tech platforms to build an overall picture of needs through digital surveys will provide organisations with the ability to make data-driven decisions about their employee benefits.

You can find out more about Paul’s work and Santé Group at https://santegroup.co.uk

In this genuine treat of a conversation new on the podcast this week with founder of the Competence Centre for Workplace Equity, Ashanti Bentil-Dhue we explore:

- Why a DEI strategy that's not linked to organisational strategy will always struggle to get buy-in and how to change it

- Why you're not behind in your DEI journey and how to overcome this mindset

- How taking more action doesn't always equal more progress and what to do instead

- How to equip every person responsible for delivering DEI initiatives with the core competencies they need to be effective and drive exceptional results

- How to start gathering evidence and data from within your organisation and stop relying on external research sources to drive decision making

- How to cultivate neutrality as a DEI practitioner, putting aside personal perspectives and activism, focusing instead on organisational strategy

Huge thanks to Ashanti for her generosity in sharing so much in such a value-packed conversation. We’re thrilled this is just a taster of what you can expect from Ashanti, who will be joining us at the Inclusive Workplace Conference on 20th & 21st November in London.

Here’s the link to see the agenda and book your place: www.theinclusiveworkplace.com

The links we referred to in the episode are:

https://www.ccweglobal.com/

https://www.ccweglobal.com/competency-framework

In this conversation packed with data-backed insights, Jennifer and Ursula build a picture of what working parents and carers really need in 2024. They discuss the findings of this year's Modern Families Index in detail, and explore the critical question of how employers can best support and retain working families - even when working with stretched budgets - when 42% are currently looking elsewhere for new career opportunities.

You can download the Modern Families Index by Bright Horizons here: https://solutions.brighthorizons.co.uk/resources/research/modern-families-index-2024

In this unmissable conversation we delve into why Polly and Emily believe leaders must consider equipping their teams with cultural intelligence capability in 2024 and how their amazing work paves the way for change and a more inclusive working world.

We talk about the typical struggles that teams have day-to-day that could be made infinitely easier by improving cultural intelligence, the capabilities teams need to develop, where on earth to start and the game-changing impact that devoting focus to building better cultural intelligence can have on business performance.

The link to the free assessment tool that Polly and Emily mention in this episode can be found here: https://cqcenter.com/enroll/32511f35-5814-476d-a1d8-642bc1523216

All you need to do is click to take a complimentary CQ and behavioural preferences assessment and receive a personalised action plan. Note you will need to create a CQ learning portal profile in order to access the assessment or log in if you already have one.

In this energising conversation with the inimitable Julie Dennis, Head of Inclusive Workplaces Policy at ACAS, we play with why so many of us find it so difficult to engage with others in meaningful conversations. We explore the role of language, how employers can help managers to get this right to avoid escalation and create a culture where it's possible for everyone to talk about hard things.

All the research, advice and best practice Julie mentions in this conversation can be found on the ACAS website: https://www.acas.org.uk/

Ritika Wadhwa, founder of Prabhaav Global joins us on the podcast for this very special conversation as we explore:

· How cultural intelligence differs from emotional intelligence

· The strategic link between cultural intelligence and DEI

· How cross-cultural teams can develop better cultural intelligence

· How CQ can help to mend divides in a polarised world.

To connect with Ritika and explore more on this topic, visit https://prabhaav-global.com/

In this warm and energising chat the incredible Ella Warren, Chair of Whizz Kids and Dagmar Albers, former DEI Lead at Pfizer UK tell their powerful story of working together to illustrate the benefits of removing barriers to work for people with different abilities, and share their practical advice for thinking beyond the obvious to create a great employee experience and make work more accessible.

In this episode Ursula is joined by Lyndon Roberts, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at the British Horseracing Authority for a candid conversation about what behaviours organisations in the UK need from their leaders in 2024 to meet the evolving needs of a workforce in a world that has changed for good.

We talked about what inclusive leadership really means, the impact an inclusive leader can have on employees (particularly in today's polarised world), whether the traits of an inclusive leader can really be taught and so much more.

We're thrilled that this is just the start of our exploration of this fascinating topic - as Lyndon will be joining us at the Inclusive Workplace Conference in November!

Ahead of the introduction of new legislation giving every employee the right to request flexible working from day one of employment, Ursula sat with long-time collaborator with The Inclusive Workplace - Alana Penkethman, Employment Lawyer for a conversation about the expected impact of the new rules and how companies can prepare.