5 Shifts Leaders Need To Make To Build Inclusive Workplaces
Release Date: 05/27/2025
3 Frameworks I Use to Build Inclusive Workplaces
The Element Of Inclusion
I collect inclusive frameworks like investors collect properties. I’ve got 3 three I use all the time. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety Social Exchange Theory PICOC Framework Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: There are 4 stages of Psychological Safety "This model acts as if the beginning of psychological safety has achieved that." Social exchange is built on trust "This is why you also have a social contract — this reflects social exchange, unspecified obligations, no formal contract so you need trust." ...
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The Inclusion Test You Can’t Fake
The Element Of Inclusion
I’m not here to help you pass an exam. I’m here to help you get results. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How to use a simple Inclusion Test in your workplace Why the Inclusion Test is about changing conditions, not memorising content A favourite example of using this in real life. Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Insights are useless until it’s applied at work. "I love education… but you know what I love even more? Using what you’ve learned to make a difference in your life." Inclusion Test is pass/fail "No attempt is a fail. Any...
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My Best Offer Yet. And How You Can Be Part of It
The Element Of Inclusion
Things are moving a lot faster than I expected. I’ve got a special invitation for you — and I’m excited to share this. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: [My Best Offer Yet — And How You Can Be Part of It] [How This Podcast Became the Longest-Running Inclusion Podcast in the World] [Introducing “Ask Dr Jonathan” — A Custom AI Thought Partner Trained on the Podcast] Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Work with me to build a resource you’ll actually use. "This isn’t just a product. It’s a tool built with you — not just for you." ...
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How to Tell if Your Inclusion Work Is Having An Impact
The Element Of Inclusion
Not sure if your inclusion work is making an impact? These 3 questions will show you… fast. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How we use The Feasibility Filter Why parties, parades and panel events don't help you why you need leading indicators for your work Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Are We Solving a Problem That Matters to the Organisation? "If the problem doesn’t link to the business, you’ve got no business talking about it." What’s the outcome we want "Training is not an outcome." Can We Show What’s Changed? ...
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Ask Dr Jonathan : The AI Tool Built On Evidence Based Inclusion
The Element Of Inclusion
Every week, leaders like you tell me how much you love this podcast. But you wish you could ask me questions — in real time. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Ask Dr Jonathan – The AI Tool Built on Evidence-Based Inclusion Why Accessing Inclusion Frameworks Should Be Easier How to Participate in Testing the Ask Dr Jonathan Tool Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: You’re not the only collecting Evidence. I do too. "Evidence-based inclusion requires us to gather evidence." Don’t be ashamed to try when you’re not ready "There are going to be...
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The Benchmarking Mistake That’s Holding Back Your Inclusion Work
The Element Of Inclusion
You’re the average of the five people you compare yourself to. Did it ever occur to you that you’re comparing yourself to the wrong people? Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why starting with borrowed benchmarks sets you up to fail. How to tell if a benchmark is applicable to your setting. How to choose benchmarks that inform decisions. Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Bad Benchmarks Start With Bad Comparisons "A benchmark that reflects their priorities won’t help you track your progress." Insight is more valuable than performance scores. "What would we...
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The Real Reason Your DEI Metrics Don’t Matter
The Element Of Inclusion
Most DEI metrics are just a pantomime. They’re not tracking things that matter. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why most DEI efforts fail before any work has begun Why “quick wins” often become long-term liabilities How to test your inclusion project before investing in delivery Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Outputs don’t prove progress: outcomes do. "Training is not an outcome." Specific problems demand specific solutions. "You can track how many people turned up to an event. You can count how many policies you updated. You can...
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The 5 Point Test to Identify Inclusion Problem Worth Solving
The Element Of Inclusion
Every organisation has its problems. But not all of them are worth solving. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: the 5 point feasibility test we use with our clients How copying others’ inclusion strategies leads you off course Our shortcut to reveal which workplace problems are fixable Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Solvable problems build inclusion "A solvable inclusion problem isn’t something that feels important. It’s something that stands up to scrutiny. It passes what we call the Feasibility Filter: If a problem isn’t Clear, Connected,...
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Why I’m Changing Tactics to Help You Lead Inclusion
The Element Of Inclusion
This is episode 400 of the show. I’m more excited than I’ve ever been about supporting you. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why the podcast now focuses on high-impact inclusion work Why narrowing my focus increases my overall impact Some resources I’m building to help you Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Element of Inclusion has hit 400 episodes “I notice this in the milestone episodes like this. I can be really tough on myself. The title of Episode 300 was ‘I’m Sorry I Let You Down’... But this year. I’ve made it happen.” We’re creating...
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How to Track Inclusion Without Getting Ignored
The Element Of Inclusion
Do you have a system that proves your inclusion work is making progress? IF NOT I’m going to give you 7 tips that we use with our clients so they show people that that they are becoming more inclusive. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How to choose problems your leadership actually cares about How to design actions that actually improve inclusion How specific outcomes make your work easier to defend Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Solve problems your organisation already cares about. "Too many of you waste effort and energy on issues leadership...
info_outlineThere’s a group of people who are going to struggle to build inclusion over the next few years.
I’m going to explain who they are so you can avoid becoming one of them.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode:
- Why emotional appeals fall flat with business stakeholders.
- How structured conversations build real-world credibility.
- Why inclusion must align with a measurable business problem.
Play the Episode for More
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
- I want to make the next logical step easy for you.
- "This is where most People Leaders freeze. The ask is too vague ('more support'), too broad ('change the culture'), or too ambitious ('overhaul everything'). Instead, make the next step: logical, specific, aligned with business priorities."
- I want to help you stop guessing and start leading.
- "Your business case isn’t complete until it’s been pressure-tested. Not in a focus group. Not in a steering committee. In real conversations—with people who don’t already agree with you."
- I want to work with leaders who are ready to stop ticking boxes and start leading with impact.
- "If you don’t have a business case for diversity or inclusion, one will be given to you. It probably won’t be yours. It will belong to someone else. It will be provided by someone who does not have your best interests at heart."
Check out these resources:
Business Case in a Box. Everything you need to build a business case for inclusion your CFO can trust.