Episodes

Inclusion work is often unsustainable for 1 simple reason. It never makes it into the portfolio of projects that matter to the business. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: [The Portfolio Problem of Diversity and Inclusion] [How inclusion can contribute to performance, accountability, and sustainability] [Three practical ways to build a business case for inclusion] Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: If it’s not in the portfolio, it’s not protected. "They don’t get tr...

Diversity and Inclusion faces a chicken and egg problem. Leaders want evidence before they act. But the evidence only appears after they act. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The Chicken and Egg Problem of Diversity and Inclusion Why Organisational Evidence Matters More Than External Reports How to Use the Feasibility Filter to Build Internal Credibility Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: The only way to create proof is to act first. "They want evidence that in...

Inclusion isn’t failing because people don’t care. It’s failing because people aren’t incentivised to act inclusive. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The Incentive Problem of Diversity and Inclusion Why Inclusion Efforts Stall Despite Good Intentions How to Design Incentives That Actually Reward Inclusion Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: People follow the incentives. "People aren’t skipping inclusion because they don’t care. They’re responding to the incentives ...

ERGs are “a waste of time.” Too many people think this. Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: You can’t scale ERGs if participation is penalised. "It’s not a lack of commitment. It’s an incentive problem." Stop pitching passion; start mapping outcomes. "Leaders want to see business impact." Instrumental ERGs lead to strategic integration. "Frame them as business-critical projects." Check out these resources (if applicable): Why The 2 Core Functions Of An Employee Re...

You’ve heard people telling stories and acting like it’s evidence. but how do you turn anecdotes into evidence? Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why anecdotes are claims not conclusions The difference between claims, assumptions, and hypotheses How to test ideas without wasting time or budget Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Anecdotes are starting points, not stopping points. "The story is typically making a claim and they are presenting it as evidence." Anecdo...

Things are moving so fast with Ask Dr Jonathan. I want to give you an update and make you a special time sensitive offer you can’t refuse. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How to Build an Inclusion Strategy in 60 Minutes Why Ask Dr Jonathan is More Than a Virtual Librarian Details of the Inclusion Impact Sprint Offer Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: You walk away with documents, not just discussions. "We generated step by step processes." No deliverables? No paym...

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 s...

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 differenc...

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 ju...

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 ...

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 evide...

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 hel...

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 tu...

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 p...

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’...

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 organisati...

I Know You’re Afraid To Talk About Inclusion. I’m Afraid Too. That sounds weird coming from someone who talks about Inclusion everyday. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why speaking in context protects your credibility. How relevance reduces risk when discussing inclusion How to test if someone is open to evidence. Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Relevance gives your words more power. "When you talk about inclusion or diversity or race. Is in context of the sp...

I have some very strong very unpopular opinions about the so called business case for diversity. I’m not going to change them anytime soon. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why the real business case is already inside your organisation Why business case for diversity is like shouting at sunset 3 reasons why the wrong business case leaves you exposed Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode : Reveal your business case don’t rip it off "What I’m saying is. It’s not so...

There’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 ...

This week the Element of Inclusion is 8 years old. So today I’m turning it over to you. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why ROI in DEI remains an unresolved challenge for most leaders. The PICOC method to test solutions in diverse teams. The 3 essential skills for high-impact inclusion work. Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: ROI must align with a critical business problem to be respected. “It’s a measure directly related to the ‘must solve problem’ you have i...

Most leaders don’t have a business case for diversity They copy someone else’s Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why using organisational artefacts reveals your real business case How everyday language builds trust with senior leadership How surfacing an existing case builds instant credibility Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Your strongest business case is already inside your organisation. "You’re not creating a business case… you’re revealing one." Alignme...

15 years ago the Equality Act was introduced in the UK. And unlike most people, I actually bothered to read it. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why people misunderstand the Equality Act Why it has limited impact Why it created an industry people...

Most people think bias is always a bad thing. I don't. I’m biased about inclusion and I want you to join me. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why I choose to be biased towards inclusion action. Why most research expects someone else to take...