Welcome To The Element Of Inclusion

Episodes

Aug. 12, 2025

The Inclusion Test You Can’t Fake

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...
Aug. 5, 2025

My Best Offer Yet. And How You Can Be Part of It

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...
July 29, 2025

How to Tell if Your Inclusion Work Is Having An Impact

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 ...
July 22, 2025

Ask Dr Jonathan : The AI Tool Built On Evidence Based 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 evide...
July 15, 2025

The Benchmarking Mistake That’s Holding Back Your Inclusion Work

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...
July 8, 2025

The Real Reason Your DEI Metrics Don’t Matter

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...
July 1, 2025

The 5 Point Test to Identify Inclusion Problem Worth Solving

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...
June 24, 2025

Why I’m Changing Tactics to Help You Lead 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’...
June 17, 2025

How to Track Inclusion Without Getting Ignored

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...
June 9, 2025

How I Talk About Inclusion. Even When I’m Afraid

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...
June 3, 2025

Don’t Build a Business Case For Diversity. Do This Instead

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...
May 27, 2025

5 Shifts Leaders Need To Make To Build Inclusive Workplaces

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 ...
May 20, 2025

8th Birthday Special: Your Biggest Questions Answered

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...
May 13, 2025

The Hidden Business Case for Inclusion Inside Your Organisation

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...
May 6, 2025

Why the Equality Act Doesn’t Create Inclusion

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...
April 22, 2025

Why I’m Proud to Be Biased About Inclusion

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...
April 14, 2025

The Real Reason Your Inclusion Work Gets Ghosted

Leaders are telling me their DEI budgets have been cut. Resources pulled. Support withdrawn. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why most DEI strategies collapse at the measurement stage How vague inclusion goals make your budget vulnerable How the...
April 8, 2025

You Told Me You’re Overwhelmed By DEI. This Will Help

You’ve told me you’re overwhelmed. Too many ideas. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why so many leaders feel trapped by too much DEI advice How 389 episodes can still leave people stuck What three priorities simplify high-impact inclusion work...
April 1, 2025

3 Bad Pieces of DEI Advice I Want You to Avoid

I see a lot of dangerous DEI advice. Here I’m going to spell out 3 of the most harmful for you. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How Rebranding DEI without reforming it destroys trust. Why you need to reconsider who you let influence you How...
March 25, 2025

5 Benefits Evidence Based Inclusion Delivers Fast

Evidence Based Inclusion is the system we use with our clients. But what’s the big deal? Key Topics Covered in This Episode: How Evidence Based Inclusion stops time-wasting arguments How Evidence Based Inclusion helps you earn trust Why...
March 18, 2025

Why Lived Experience Alone Won’t Fix Inclusion

Lived experience dominates DEI conversations. It’s treated as the most important factor in discussions about race, gender, and inclusion. But there’s a problem. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Your lived experience comes at a cost. Lived...
March 11, 2025

7 Days to Join My Best Inclusion Program Ever

On March 24th I’m launching my Best Inclusion Program Ever. And It’s only available for 7 days. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why I’m launching my best inclusion program ever. How this proven system helps leaders build inclusion with...
March 4, 2025

How the Chauffeur Test Exposes Fake DEI Leaders

Too many DEI experts sound impressive but lack the depth to deliver real results. And the chauffeur test is a quick way to spot them. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Why chauffeur knowledge creates dangerous illusions of expertise. How 3-book...