Episodes

Why Inclusion Fails Before Leaders Engage Most inclusion initiatives don’t fail in the boardroom. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The Incentive Problem of Diversity and Inclusion. The Chicken and Egg Problem of Diversity and Inclusion. The Portfolio Problem of Diversity and Inclusion. Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Inclusion fails early because incentives discourage action. "If speaking up creates risk, silence is incentivised" Borrowed evidence cannot subs...

9 years ago I got my PhD That’s when I became Dr. Jonathan No one expected it though...but some people did. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why Your Inclusion Journey May Look Better Than You Think The importance of paying attention to the right people How to encourage others on their inclusion journey Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Your Inclusion Journey isn’t going to be parties and parades. "My viva lasted 1 hr 45 mins" There are times when you’re going...

So called Inclusion work is still dominated by fluffy language. Or charismatic, engaging people with no credibility once the lights come on. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: [Why Inclusion Requires More Rigour And Less Rhetoric] [The Rhetorical Problem of Diversity & Inclusion] [Three Ways to Introduce More Rigour Into Your Inclusion Work] Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: [Use a balanced approach to rhetoric] "More facts. Less feelings." [Use evidence to impro...

If you weren’t in the room, could someone else explain your business case for diversity or for inclusion? Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why your business case for diversity should work without you in the room. Common mistakes leaders make when presenting their business case. The real test of whether your business case is understood Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: If they can’t repeat it, it doesn’t work. "People agree with things they don’t understand all th...

If your inclusion work is being ignored, it’s probably the numbers. Maybe you should borrow someone else's. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why you need to Borrow Other People’s Numbers [Why inclusion teams struggle to get buy-in with their own metrics How to use familiar business metrics to build credibility Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: "Use numbers that everybody is familiar with." "Numbers are not neutral. Numbers are political." "They invite you into ...

It seems that organisations are still getting inclusion wrong. Find out why! Here are some key messages from this episode Why Organisations Get Inclusion Wrong How Others Are Discussing What We Discuss Assumptions That Prevent Us From Being Inclusive and much more Play the episode for more. Here are some key takeaways from this episode Organisations Make 7 Predictable Errors That Include A One Size Fits All Approach “We also spoke about an internal copy and paste approach when you duplicate...

The biggest reporting mistake isn’t your format. It’s assuming leadership cares. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why good metrics still get ignored The 3 filters that link inclusion work to leadership priorities How to present metrics that change minds and not check boxes Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Why your DEI data isn’t landing with leadership “You’re measuring progress, but leadership wants proof of impact." How to use the 3Rs to translate metrics “He...

You don’t have to be an expert in everything to be an outstanding leader; but you do need the right mindset. Today, you’ll hear from Fay Wallis, host of the HR Coffee Time podcast. A show dedicated to helping HR professionals grow their confidence, influence and leadership impact. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: What makes HR Coffee Time unique and why it resonates with HR professionals Common challenges HR and people leaders face as they move into senior roles The myths and misconceptio...

I want to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth. You’re heading into 2026 (or whatever next year is depending on when you're tuning in) with questions, uncertainty and if you’re honest ….. fatigue. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: 3 Insights I Couldn't Ignore Understanding Your Narrative Arc The Importance of Evidence-Based Inclusion and Consistency Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Your plan for next year is a logical step from what you’ve been doing “Your body of...

I want to acknowledge the elephant in the room. You are under considerable pressure to engage in flags, food and fun. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why you need to fight the urge for Flags, Food and Fun Why Leaders Keep Falling Into This Trap What to do instead using Evidence Based Inclusion Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Flags, Food and Fun is not the work. "This is Tokenism pretending to be Diversity." You need measurable results "People who think like...

I’m so Excited to share a huge update with you. This is the biggest thing I can do to help you on your inclusion journey. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The inclusion problems you’re facing and how to solve them using evidence Why I created the Ask Dr Jonathan beta tool (and what it can do for you) How I used my own method to test, validate, and build a breakthrough solution Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: I’ve made a huge breakthrough that will benefit you "Som...

Stop Comparing Your Inclusion Journey to Online Strangers It’s really harming you. I think you need to stop. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Stop Comparing Your Inclusion Journey to Online Strangers The Proxy Problem of Diversity and Inclusion Choosing Wisely Who You Compare Yourself To Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Stop Comparing Your Inclusion Journey to Online Strangers "They were comparing themselves, their work, their inclusion journey to Random People ...

If you need encouragement on your inclusion journey this message is for you. You’re finding this because you need it. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why you should keep going on your inclusion journey Why you don’t need a big budget to make a difference How to stay focused and avoid distractions on your inclusion journey Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: You’re doing better than you think you are. "You’re the one trying to build a culture that often fights back...

How Automating Feedback Kills Inclusion Everyone’s talking a lot about Artificial Intelligence at work. The promise is things will get better but I’ve spoken to a leader who said then when it comes to trust. It makes things worse. For inclusion. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How Automating Feedback Kills Inclusion The Feedback Fallacy and Why It's a Problem Social Exchange Theory and Its Role in Building Inclusive Workplaces Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: A...

To create an inclusive workplace you may need to stop from time to time. Maybe it’s time for you to take a break. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why you may need to take a break from inclusion Why charismatic voices with narrow experience can be harmful How taking a break can improve your motivation and clarity Play the Episode for More Key Takeaways from This Episode: Take a break if you need it. “If you need to take a short break to realise that, then by all means do it.” A break is...

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...