Hello Reader,
Last Friday, Garry Clarke-Strange (one of our fab associates) and I hosted a powerful conversation on inclusive leadership. We explored what it really means to lead inclusively and, more importantly, how to actually do it. Because let’s be honest, it’s easy to talk about inclusion, but making it part of everyday leadership? That’s where the challenge lies.
So, what is inclusive leadership?
At its core, inclusive leadership is about intention and action. It’s not just about having diverse teams; it’s about creating environments where every person feels heard, valued, and able to thrive.
In our webinar, we shared key behaviours of inclusive leaders:
Listening deeply – Not just waiting for your turn to speak but really hearing what’s being said.
Checking your bias – We all have biases; the best leaders acknowledge them and work to mitigate them.
Making space for others – Inclusion isn’t just about who’s at the table—it’s about who gets to speak.
Leading with transparency – Trust is built through honesty and accountability.
Committing to continuous learning – Inclusion isn’t a one-off initiative; it’s a lifelong commitment.
If you missed the webinar you can catch up by watching the replay just click the button below.
See you next time.
Advita
Try this: The ‘5-Minute inclusion check-in’
Here’s a quick challenge to help you build more inclusion in the workplace:
Before your next meeting, ask yourself:
- Who hasn’t spoken yet? How can I bring them in?
- Am I making assumptions about someone’s perspective or ability
- Have I created an environment where people feel psychologically safe to share their ideas?
Small shifts like these can create huge impacts over time.
Join us for our next webinar!
Next up, Priya and I will be diving into Cultivating Trust, a key ingredient for inclusive leadership. We’ll explore practical ways to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create cultures where people feel valued and empowered.
📅 Thursday 27 March
⏰9.00 AM EST | 2:00 PM GMT |3.00pm CET
We’d love to keep this conversation going. What’s one inclusive leadership habit you swear by? Click reply and share your thoughts!
Breaking barriers through Inclusive Leadership and Reverse mentoring
Fear of the unknown or making mistakes often holds leaders back from building inclusive cultures. A powerful way to overcome this is reverse or mutual mentoring, which flips traditional hierarchies and creates open spaces for learning.
By hearing firsthand experiences from marginalised and minority communities, senior leaders can uncover blind spots, challenge biases, and develop deeper awareness. This storytelling-driven approach enables lifelong learning, fostering genuine inclusion beyond routine corporate structures.
Both mentors and mentees gain invaluable insight into aspects of the business they wouldn’t usually experience, strengthening workplace belonging. While reverse mentoring alone won’t create an inclusive culture, it’s a critical piece of a broader strategy that drives long-term impact.
For organisations looking to implement such a program, alignment with business needs is essential. If you're interested in exploring this further, reply to this email as we'd love to help.
New podcast season now live
A Leader Like Me season five brings a fresh approach—while we’ll still be joined by inspiring guests and industry leaders, this time, we’re focusing on stories closer to home.
This season, we’re highlighting voices from The Leader Like Me Collective—a powerful network of HR professionals, communication experts, and leaders committed to amplifying inclusive workplace cultures.
In episode one, we reconnect, reflect on the journey so far, and dive into the impact of our global consultancy and community.
If you're looking for actionable insights on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and belonging, this season is for you.
